Description
Succulent Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs promise rich comfort from Mediterranean kitchens. Herbed cream sauce and tender meat create a delightful dinner that welcomes hungry diners to savor each memorable bite.
Ingredients
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 tsp (5 ml) paprika
- 1 tsp (5 ml) garlic powder
- 1 tsp (5 ml) dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) onion powder
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) black pepper
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Create an aromatic spice blend using paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Thoroughly coat chicken thighs with the mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
- Searing Technique: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs skin-side down for 3-4 minutes, then flip and sear the other side for 2-3 minutes to lock in flavors and create a golden crust.
- Flavor Building: In the same skillet, reduce heat and add butter. Sauté diced onions until translucent, then introduce minced garlic. Deglaze with chicken broth, scraping up caramelized bits from the pan’s surface.
- Sauce Creation: Blend heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, fresh thyme, and optional red pepper flakes into the skillet. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and develops a rich, creamy consistency.
- Oven Roasting: Arrange seared chicken thighs skin-side up in the sauce, partially submerging them. Transfer skillet to a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven and roast for 20-25 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Resting and Serving: Remove from oven and let chicken rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices. Drizzle with the velvety sauce and serve alongside rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to complement the dish.
Notes
Optimize Chicken Skin Crispiness: Pat chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels before seasoning to ensure maximum skin crispness and gorgeous golden-brown color.
Balance Sauce Thickness: Control sauce consistency by adjusting cream and cheese ratio – less cream creates thicker sauce, more creates lighter texture.
Prevent Dairy Separation: Simmer sauce gently and avoid high heat to prevent cream from breaking or developing unwanted grainy texture during cooking.
Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for dairy-free version, or use Greek yogurt for lower-fat alternative without compromising rich flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg