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30-Minute Creamy Chicken Thighs – The Perfect Weeknight Meal!


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  • Author: Benjamin
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

These Creamy Chicken Thighs are the ultimate comfort food—crispy, golden-brown chicken thighs simmered in a rich, velvety garlic-Parmesan sauce. Packed with flavors of fresh herbs, butter, and a touch of lemon, this dish is both indulgent and easy to prepare. Serve it over mashed potatoes, pasta, or roasted vegetables for a restaurant-quality meal at home.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme

For the Creamy Sauce:

    • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
    • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary or thyme
    • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:

  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  • Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme.

Sear the Chicken:

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 6–7 minutes until the skin is golden brown.
  • Flip the chicken and cook for another 6–7 minutes.
  • Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Make the Creamy Sauce:

  • In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the butter.
  • Sauté the minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up the browned bits from the pan.
  • Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and dried herbs. Let the sauce simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
  • Add the lemon juice and stir to combine.

Finish Cooking:

  • Return the seared chicken to the skillet, skin-side up.
  • Spoon some of the sauce over the chicken and let it simmer for another 5–7 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked (165°F internal temperature).

Serve & Garnish:

    • Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley.
    • Serve immediately with mashed potatoes, pasta, or your favorite side dish.

Notes

  • Crispier Chicken: For an extra crispy skin, sear the chicken in a cast-iron skillet.
  • Sauce Thickness: If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth to loosen it.
  • Storage & Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently over low heat, adding a little broth or cream if needed.
  • Dairy-Free Option: Substitute coconut milk for heavy cream and nutritional yeast for Parmesan cheese.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: American