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