Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms
Juicy chicken thighs are seared until golden, then baked in a luscious garlic-Parmesan cream sauce with earthy mushrooms. This easy one-pan dinner is rich, comforting, and perfect for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 lbs (about 6-8) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (boneless, skinless also work)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup (about 2 oz) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5-6 minutes until golden and crisp. Flip and cook another 3-4 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and mushrooms to the skillet. Sauté for about 5 minutes until mushrooms are soft and golden.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Lower heat to medium-low. Add heavy cream, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until cheese melts and sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Nestle chicken thighs back into the pan, skin-side up. Spoon some sauce over each piece. Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
- Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with extra sauce.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate chicken in olive oil, garlic, and Italian seasoning for 30 minutes before cooking. Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best sauce texture. If sauce is too thick after baking, add a splash of broth or cream; if too thin, simmer on stovetop to reduce. This recipe is naturally gluten-free—just check your broth and cheese labels. Double the sauce if serving with pasta or if you love extra sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce and mushrooms
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 520
- Fat: 31
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 7
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 26
Keywords: chicken thighs, creamy chicken, garlic Parmesan, one pan dinner, skillet chicken, mushrooms, comfort food, gluten-free, weeknight dinner