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Creamy Smothered Chicken Thighs Recipe Easy Garlic Sauce Delight

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A comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich, creamy garlic sauce with fresh herbs. Perfect for cozy dinners and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
  • 1 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth
  • ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Optional: squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground pepper. (10 minutes prep)
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 5-7 minutes until skin is crisp and golden brown. Flip and cook the other side for 3-4 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside. (Approx. 15 minutes)
  3. Lower heat to medium, add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. (2 minutes)
  4. Sprinkle flour over the garlic and butter mixture. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to cook out raw flour taste and thicken the mixture. (2 minutes)
  5. Slowly whisk in chicken broth and heavy cream. Add Dijon mustard and fresh thyme. Whisk until sauce is smooth and begins to thicken, about 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (5 minutes)
  6. Return chicken thighs to the pan, skin-side up, nestling them into the sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover loosely, and simmer for 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C). Stir sauce occasionally but gently. (15 minutes)
  7. Remove chicken to a plate. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth to loosen. Optionally, squeeze fresh lemon juice into the sauce. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with chopped parsley before serving. (3 minutes)

Notes

Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for best flavor and juiciness. Dry chicken skin thoroughly before searing to get a crispy crust. Avoid burning garlic by cooking on medium heat. If sauce splits or curdles, whisk in a teaspoon of cold water or cream off heat to bring it back together. For dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with canned coconut milk and butter with olive oil. Leftovers keep well for up to 3 days in the fridge; reheat gently on stove with splash of broth or cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken thighs, garlic sauce, smothered chicken, easy dinner, comfort food, weeknight meal, creamy garlic chicken

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