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Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

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Tender, juicy chicken thighs baked in a velvety, garlic-infused cream sauce with crispy skin and plenty of comforting flavor. This easy, crowd-pleasing dinner is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy Sunday suppers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (about 8) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup white wine (optional, or use more broth)
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
  • 2 cups baby spinach, chopped
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • Zest from 1 lemon

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
  2. Heat olive oil and butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5-7 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip and brown the other side for 2-3 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate.
  3. Pour off excess fat, leaving about 1 tbsp in the pan. Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, scraping up browned bits. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle flour over the onions and garlic, stirring well and cooking for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in chicken broth, scraping up any bits. Add white wine (if using) and simmer for 1-2 minutes. Pour in heavy cream, add thyme, chopped spinach, and Parmesan. Stir until spinach wilts and sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Nestle chicken thighs back into the sauce, skin-side up. Spoon some sauce over each piece, but leave the skin exposed. Sprinkle with lemon zest.
  6. Transfer skillet to a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
  7. For extra crispy skin, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely.
  8. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Spoon extra sauce over the top and garnish with more fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, use GF flour. For dairy-free, substitute coconut cream and vegan Parmesan. Sear chicken well for crispy skin. Sauce can be adjusted for thickness with more broth or cream. Make ahead by prepping up to the baking step and refrigerating. Add mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or other veggies for variation.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken, oven baked chicken thighs, comfort food, easy dinner, chicken recipe, skillet chicken, weeknight dinner, family meal, garlic cream sauce, baked chicken

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