Quick, tasty, and only one pan to wash, this is what I reach for on busy weeknights more than almost anything else. Keto garlic chicken skillet has protein, fat, and vegetables all loaded into one dish.
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I make couscous or rice on the side for my non-keto family, but a serving of this is genuinely all I need for myself. This is also a great meal-prep recipe, since it holds up well in the fridge and freezes beautifully.
Chef Jenn’s Take on Garlic Chicken Skillet
Not having an oven-safe skillet is the one real obstacle here, since this dish finishes cooking in the oven after browning on the stovetop. If yours isn’t oven-safe, cover the pan and finish over low heat on the stovetop instead, it takes more attention but works fine.
Brown the chicken skin-side down first, then flip it skin-side up and push it to one side of the pan to make room for the garlic. Sautee the garlic for about a minute, just until aromatic, before adding the vegetables. Bone-in, skin-on thighs give the most flavor, though boneless thighs or chicken breast both work, just adjust the cooking time since they cook faster.
Fresh garlic gives the best flavor, but garlic powder works in a pinch, about a teaspoon sprinkled over the thighs before they go in the pan. Add the red bell pepper last, after the asparagus, since it needs less time to cook through.
This freezes beautifully, and I always keep a batch in my own freezer for exactly this reason. One reader made a double batch specifically so she’d have a meal ready to go later, which is exactly the idea.
What You’ll Love About Garlic Chicken Skillet
- Flexible on chicken cut, use what you have and adjust the cooking time.
- One pan, minimal cleanup, and everything you need for dinner in one dish.
- Genuinely great for meal prep, holds up well refrigerated and freezes beautifully.
Ingredients
- Chicken thighs – Bone-in, skin-on for the most flavor. Boneless thighs or chicken breast work too, adjust the cooking time.
- Asparagus – Trimmed and washed.
- Red bell pepper – Sliced, added last since it needs less cooking time. Any color pepper works.
- Garlic – Fresh, finely chopped. Garlic powder works in a pinch, about a teaspoon sprinkled over the chicken.
- Butter – For browning the chicken.
- Salt and pepper – To taste.
How to Make Garlic Chicken Skillet
Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.
Rinse and pat the chicken thighs dry, then season on both sides with salt and pepper.
Melt the butter in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken on both sides, starting skin-side down, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
With the chicken skin-side up, push it to one side of the pan and add the garlic. Sautee for about a minute, until aromatic. Add the asparagus and red bell pepper, then transfer the skillet to a preheated 375°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Serve.
Make It A Meal
For more chicken dinners in the same rotation, Chicken Cacciatore and Creamy Country Chicken are both worth adding.
Storage
Chill fully, either overnight or for several hours, then package into zipper-top bags with as much air removed as possible, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the microwave or in a 325°F oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe runs about 4 net carbs per serving of 1 thigh with vegetables. The number in the recipe card below will recalculate once this post is republished, so use it as an estimate until then.
Yes, boneless thighs or chicken breast both work, just adjust the cooking time since they typically cook faster than bone-in thighs.
Yes, or an alternative, if your skillet isn’t oven-safe, cover it and finish cooking over low heat on the stovetop instead.
Yes, this freezes beautifully. Chill it fully first, then package into zipper-top bags with the air removed, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Add Preferred SourceKeto Garlic Chicken Skillet Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1 pound asparagus trimmed and washed
- 1/2 red bell pepper seeds removed and sliced
- 2 tablespoons garlic finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- 1. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels the chicken thighs. Season them on both sides with salt and pepper.
- 2. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken on both sides, starting skin side down, for 3-4 minutes per side.
- 3. With the chicken skin side up, scootch it out of the way and add the garlic. Sautee the garlic for a minute more or until it is aromatic.
- 4. Add the asparagus and red bell pepper, and pop the skillet into a pre-heated 375-F oven for 10-15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165-F.
- 5. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Recipe Card Tips
- Brown the chicken skin-side down first, then push it aside to sautee the garlic in the same pan.
- Add the red bell pepper after the asparagus, since it needs less time to cook through.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness rather than guessing, especially with bone-in thighs.
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed. Erythritol carbs (sugar substitutes) are not included in the carbohydrate counts as they have been shown not to impact blood sugar, and they have zero calories and zero carbs. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
This chicken is so tasty and satisfying, and it’s easy to make, too! Perfect for a quick dinner.
I love the flavor of Garlic and this Garlic Chicken looks super delicious and a must try one too.
You had me at one dish. Here lately I feel like all I am doing is cleaning the dishes so the less the better.
We had this last night and it was amazing. I actually made a double batch so I can freeze like you said and I am so glad I have it ready for next time. Delish!
I’ve got a meal’s worth of this in my freezer, too!
Gotta love a good chicken recipe!! I love that this freezes well! I’ve got to try this out 🙂
I can’t get enough healthy chicken recipes and this garlic chicken is up there at the top. Love how simple it is too — perfect for busy weeknights.
It’s one of our favorites, too!
This is absolutely delicious! I love that it’s such a crowd pleaser for the whole family
We love anything garlic-flavored in our house! And asparagus is one of the few veggies we all agree on. This recipe was a hit for my family!
So glad you enjoyed it!