Rich and Creamy Chicken Thighs
Rich and Creamy Chicken Thighs offer a comforting and indulgently flavorful dish featuring juicy, tender chicken thighs cooked in a luscious, velvety sauce bursting with savory richness. Perfect for any dinner occasion, this recipe combines simple pantry staples to create a special meal that’s easy to prepare and impressive to serve.
- Author: Emilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Herbs & Garnishes
- 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme (or parsley for garnish)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat your chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure a crispy skin when cooked. Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides for optimal flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down first and cook until golden and crisp, about 5 to 7 minutes. Flip and cook the other side for another 5 minutes, then remove them from the pan and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: Lower the heat to medium and add minced garlic to the pan, sautéing until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom to deepen the flavor. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, mixing until smooth and simmering gently.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Add fresh thyme sprigs, cover loosely, and let simmer on low heat for about 15-20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens beautifully.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the thyme sprigs, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and sprinkle fresh parsley for a pop of color before plating your rich and creamy chicken thighs.
Notes
- Dry the chicken well to achieve golden, crispy skin all around.
- Let the sauce simmer gently to develop a perfect creamy consistency without curdling.
- Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for more moisture and flavor compared to boneless.
- Scrape fond bits from the pan to add unbeatable depth to the sauce.
- Add fresh herbs at the end to brighten the dish and balance richness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg
Keywords: chicken thighs, creamy chicken, comfort food, easy dinner, creamy sauce, weeknight meal, gluten free