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Tangy smoky skillet chicken

Name: Tangy smoky skillet chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 4 bone-in chicken thighs; 1 tbsp smoked paprika; 2 tsp brown sugar; 2 tbsp butter; 1 lemon; Garlic cloves

Serves 6 servings

Beckett Reed2 min readOct 31, 2026

Ready in ~40 min · around 1:45 PM

A home-cook take on smoky skillet chicken — the version that sticks around our table.

Story

Skillet 27: press chicken dry and start skin-down in a cold pan for the crispest crust.

Recipe

Pantry preview

4 bone-in chicken thighs
1 tbsp smoked paprika
2 tsp brown sugar
2 tbsp butter
1 lemon
Garlic cloves

You'll need

Skillet

Ingredients

Tap to check off (0/6) · 6 servings

Weeknight Family

Written by

Beckett Reed

4 followers

Cook, eater, occasional baker in Asheville. I publish what actually lands on our table.

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Instructions

Step 1Technique
Season chicken with paprika, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp brown sugar
Step 2Technique
Sear skin-side down in a dry skillet over medium until fat renders and skin crisps, 10 minutes.
Step 3Technique
Flip; add butter, garlic, and lemon halves. Baste 8 minutes to 165°F.
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 lemon
- Garlic cloves
Step 4Technique
Rest 5 minutes. Serve with pan sauce.