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Creamy Garlic Parmesan Baked Chicken Thighs

creamy garlic parmesan baked chicken thighs - featured image
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Tender, juicy chicken thighs are baked in a rich, creamy garlic parmesan sauce for a comforting and impressive family dinner. This easy recipe uses simple pantry staples and comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for weeknights or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2.5 lbs)
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or herbes de Provence)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 4-5 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes on the other side.
  3. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside, keeping the juices in the pan. Lower heat to medium. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring to prevent burning. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits.
  4. Stir in the heavy cream, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, red pepper flakes (if using), and parmesan. Whisk until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth, about 2-3 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more broth.
  5. Nestle the chicken thighs (skin-side up) into the sauce. Spoon a little sauce over each piece. If your skillet isn’t oven-safe, transfer everything to a baking dish.
  6. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The sauce will bubble and thicken, and the skin will get crispier.
  7. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve hot, spooning extra sauce over each piece.

Notes

For extra crispy skin, broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching closely. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of broth to loosen. You can substitute boneless thighs or breasts (reduce baking time by 5-10 minutes). For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. Add baby spinach or mushrooms before baking for extra veggies. Leftovers reheat well with a splash of broth or milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken thighs, creamy garlic parmesan, baked chicken, family dinner, easy chicken recipe, low carb, gluten free, comfort food

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