Print
clockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares iconheartheart iconheart solidheart solid icon

Creamy Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.3 from 53 reviews

Creamy Garlic Chicken Thighs is a rich and flavorful dish featuring bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs seared to golden perfection and cooked in a garlicky white wine and chicken broth sauce finished with heavy cream. This comforting and elegant meal combines tender chicken with a luscious garlic cream sauce, infused with fresh thyme and perfectly balanced seasoning, making it an impressive yet easy oven-baked dinner option.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 2-3 lb bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp ground pepper

For Cooking

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 2-3 heads garlic (25-40 cloves, peeled and lightly smashed)
  • ¾ cup white wine
  • ¾ cup chicken broth
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme

For Sauce Finish

  • 1 tbsp flour
  • ¼ cup heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Season: Heat your oven to 350°F. Pat the chicken thighs very dry to ensure crispy skin and season all over with kosher salt and ground pepper for balanced flavor.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter over medium heat in an ovenproof skillet until the butter melts and foams. Place the chicken skin-side down in a single layer. Without moving it, sear the chicken for 12-14 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Remove the chicken with tongs and set aside.
  3. Cook the Garlic: Add the peeled, lightly smashed garlic cloves to the skillet. Stir occasionally and cook until the garlic develops golden brown spots, about 6 minutes, to build a deep garlic flavor base.
  4. Deglaze the Skillet: Pour in the white wine and scrape the skillet’s bottom with a wooden spoon to loosen browned bits. Lightly mash the garlic cloves as you stir. Continue cooking and mashing until the skillet bottom is clean and the wine reduces by about a third, roughly 3 minutes.
  5. Add Broth and Thyme, Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and add fresh thyme sprigs. Nestle the seared chicken back into the skillet with the liquid. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer.
  6. Oven Bake: Once simmering, transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the chicken turns a deep golden brown and the liquid reduces by half. Verify the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F for safe consumption.
  7. Prepare Cream Sauce: Remove the skillet from the oven and place it back on the stove burner. Lift the chicken out and tent with foil to keep warm. Transfer ½ cup of the sauce to a mixing cup, whisk in the flour, then add heavy cream. Pour this mixture back into the skillet and simmer over medium-high heat for 3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens to your liking. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  8. Serve: Plate the chicken thighs and generously spoon the creamy garlic sauce over them. Garnish with additional fresh thyme if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy this rich, aromatic dish.

Notes

  • Use bone-in skin-on chicken thighs for the best flavor and texture; boneless or skinless will not get the same crispy skin and depth of flavor.
  • Make sure to pat the chicken very dry before seasoning to help achieve a crispy skin.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, cook the sauce a little longer until desired consistency is reached.
  • White wine can be substituted with additional chicken broth if preferred, though wine adds acidity and depth.
  • Use a cast iron or other ovenproof skillet to allow stove-to-oven cooking without transferring the food.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://allyumcooks.com/creamy-garlic-chicken-thighs-recipe/