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Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs

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Tender chicken thighs with crispy golden skin smothered in a luscious, garlicky parmesan cream sauce. A comforting and easy-to-make dish perfect for cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 700 g)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 75 g)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (120 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Optional: lemon zest from half a lemon

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper. (10 minutes prep)
  2. Heat a large heavy-bottom skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and heat until shimmering but not smoking. (2-3 minutes)
  3. Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot oil. Press gently with tongs to ensure even contact. Cook undisturbed for 7-9 minutes until skin is deep golden and crispy. Flip and cook the other side for 4-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches about 150°F (65°C). (12-14 minutes)
  4. Remove chicken from skillet and tent loosely with foil. Let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
  5. Lower heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet (do not clean it). When melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  6. Pour in chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen browned bits. Let simmer for 2 minutes.
  7. Stir in heavy cream and gradually whisk in grated Parmesan cheese. Stir gently until sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Add red pepper flakes if using.
  8. Return chicken thighs to skillet, skin-side up. Spoon sauce over the meat but keep skin exposed to stay crispy. Simmer gently for 5 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
  9. Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and optional lemon zest over the dish.
  10. Serve immediately with sauce spooned generously over the chicken.

Notes

Pat chicken skin dry before cooking for extra crispiness. Let chicken rest after searing to keep meat juicy. Stir sauce gently to avoid clumps. Reheat leftovers gently in a low oven to maintain crispy skin. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy garlic parmesan chicken, crispy chicken thighs, garlic parmesan sauce, easy chicken recipe, comfort food, skillet chicken

Find it online: https://avabake.com/creamy-garlic-parmesan-chicken-thighs-recipe-perfect-for-crispy-golden-skin/