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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Thighs Recipe Easy One-Pan Dinner Idea

creamy tuscan chicken thighs - featured image

A quick and easy one-pan dinner featuring juicy chicken thighs in a creamy garlic, sun-dried tomato, and spinach sauce. Perfect for cozy weeknight meals with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil)
  • 3 cups baby spinach
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (120 ml)
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, thyme, basil blend)
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs. Let rest for about 5 minutes.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Once shimmering, place chicken thighs skin-side down. Sear without moving for 5-7 minutes until skin is golden and crisp. Flip and cook the other side for 3-4 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium. Add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to the pan. Stir for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
  5. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring gently until cheese melts and sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
  6. Add baby spinach and stir until just wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
  7. Return chicken thighs to the pan, skin side up. Cover with a lid or foil, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 10-12 minutes until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C).
  8. Taste sauce and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired. Remove from heat and let rest a few minutes before serving.
  9. Optional: For extra crispy skin, place pan under broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.

Notes

Pat chicken dry to ensure crispy skin. Do not overcrowd pan to avoid steaming. Use medium-high heat for searing to get golden crust. Deglaze pan well to incorporate browned bits into sauce. Simmer gently after adding cream to prevent curdling. Add spinach at the end to keep it vibrant. For extra crispy skin, broil briefly after simmering.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy Tuscan chicken, chicken thighs, one-pan dinner, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic cream sauce, easy weeknight meal, comfort food