Your friends and family will become obsessed with these pan-seared chicken thighs cooked in a lemon basil pan sauce!  I have also added Instant Pot Instructions for you! 

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

These lemon basil chicken thighs will become one of your favorite recipes this summer!  All you need is a few simple ingredients like fresh lemon juice, fresh basil, and garlic that, when paired, produce incredible flavor!  The recipe is simple, but the taste will be complex and amazing!

I think chicken thighs are the tastiest cut of meat for the price.   You will love how mouthwateringly juicy these thighs are in this easy lemon basil sauce!  This is a healthy way to make something new for your family for supper tonight!

Ingredients

Six bone-in chicken thighs

Salt and Pepper to taste

3 Tbs. unsalted butter

1 Tbs.  olive oil

2 Tbs. minced onion or minded shallots

One teaspoon of minced garlic

1/3 cup Lemon juice

1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest

1/3 cup chopped fresh basil

Instructions

1. Salt and Pepper Chicken Thighs
2. In a medium-large pan over medium-high heat, melt 1 Tbs. of the butter with the olive oil.  Working in batches, brown the chicken, turning with tongs as needed.
3. Transfer chicken to a plate.
4. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and saute in a skillet until the onions are translucent.
5. Pour in lemon juice and cook for 1 minute, then add the broth and lemon zest.
6.  Return the chicken to the pot.  Place lid on the pot and simmer on low for 30 minutes.  Add basil and the rest of the butter at the end.
7. You can choose to garnish with additional basil before serving.

 Recipe Note: You can cook this skin-on or remove the skin.

Can I make this recipe using Chicken Breast?

Yes. You will not need to cook chicken breast for as long as thighs; I recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165-175 Fahrenheit.

Can I make this recipe using my Instant Pot?

Yes, chicken thighs turn out excellent in the Instant Pot.  Here are instructions for you.

1. Set your Instant Pot to Saute. Add Olive oil, butter, and chicken thighs. Saute the chicken thighs so the skin gets slightly crispy, but don’t cook through the chicken. Remove the chicken and set aside.

2. Add onions and garlic. Saute until the onions are translucent. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and fresh basil. Continue to saute.

3. Add Chicken thighs on top of the sauce, and pour the chicken broth on top of the chicken.

4. Place the lid on your Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.

5. Vent after the cooking process has been completed. Remove the chicken. Set aside. Remove the chicken thighs and set aside.  Saute your chicken thighs more if you want them to be even crispier!

 Recipe Note: You can cook this skin-on or remove the skin.

Side Dish Ideas

These chicken thighs taste great over rice, pasta, and a salad or roasted vegetables.  The leftover chicken will make delicious chicken salad,  sandwiches, or wraps.

Roasted Broccoli Salad 

Crispy Greek Potatoes 

Minted Carrots 

This meal has your daily values of protein.   This recipe is low in carbohydrates and is suitable for a gluten-free, paleo, and whole 30 diet.

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Chicken Thighs in Lemon Basil Pan Sauce

Your friends and family will become obsessed with these pan-seared chicken thighs cooked in a lemon basil pan sauce!

Ingredients

• 6 bone-in chicken thighs
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp minced onion
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1/3 cup Lemon juice
• 1 cup  low-sodium chicken broth
• 1.5 tablespoons  lemon zest
• 1/3 cup chopped basil

Instructions

1. Salt and Pepper Chicken Thighs.  

2. In a medium-large pan over medium-high heat, melt 1 Tbs. of the butter with the olive oil. Working in batches, brown the chicken, turning with tongs as needed.

3. Transfer chicken to a plate.

4. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and saute in a skillet until the onions are translucent.

5. Pour in Lemon Juice and cook for 1 minute, then add the broth and lemon zest.

6. Return the chicken to the pot.  Place lid on the pot and simmer on low for 30 minutes.  Add basil and the rest of the butter at the end.

7. You can choose to garnish with additional basil before serving. 

Storage

Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or freeze them in the freezer for up to three months.

More Chicken Thigh Recipes to Try:

Greek Dressing Chicken Thighs

Honey Butter Chicken Thighs

French-Style Chicken Thighs

Did you make this super tender chicken recipe?  I would love to hear how these lemon basil chicken thighs turned out for you!  Please comment below this blog post or tag me on social media and let me know how this turns out for you. I am on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.