Creamy Garlic Chicken Thighs (Restaurant-Style, 30 Minutes)
This Creamy Garlic Chicken Thighs recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal in just 30 minutes, featuring crispy-skinned chicken in a rich, velvety garlic parmesan cream sauce. A perfect one-pan weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 8 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs About 2 lbs. Pat them very dry.
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp butter Unsalted
- 6 cloves garlic Minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth Low sodium
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese Freshly grated
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley Chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Season generously on all sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook for another 5-6 minutes until cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a simmer and let it reduce for 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream and simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken. Reduce heat to low and stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, spooning sauce over them. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Crispy Skin is Key: Don't skip drying the chicken thighs. A dry surface is essential for getting the skin perfectly crispy. Low Heat for Cheese: Always add the Parmesan cheese over low heat to prevent the sauce from separating, ensuring a smooth, velvety finish.