Mouth-Watering Skillet Chicken Thighs with Cream Sauce You’ll Love

Skillet chicken thighs in a creamy sauce is a dish that turns any dinner into something special.

This recipe is loved for its ease and the rich taste it brings to the table with just a few ingredients.

It’s amazing how you can make such a tasty meal without much fuss or fancy tools.

The creaminess of the sauce goes perfectly with the juicy chicken, making every bite enjoyable.

Using a skillet helps develop deep flavors, resulting in a delicious sauce that enhances the whole dish.

All you need are some basic cooking skills and an open mind to try different spices to take this simple dinner up a notch.

Why Skillet Chicken Thighs With Cream Sauce Feels So Rich

• Quickly Sear and Shine: Mastering restaurant-quality chicken thighs in your own kitchen becomes super easy with this one-pan wonder recipe.
• Minimal Cleanup Magic: Using the same skillet for chicken and sauce means fewer dishes, less time scrubbing, and more enjoying your delicious meal.
• Flavor Explosion Technique: Perfectly seasoned chicken gets golden-brown crispy skin while absorbing a rich, creamy sauce that brings incredible depth to every single bite.
• Weeknight Dinner Champion: Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe delivers gourmet taste without complicated techniques or hours of preparation, making it ideal for busy home cooks.

What Goes Into Skillet Chicken Thighs With Cream Sauce

Protein:

Chicken Thighs: Rich and tender meat that forms the main protein of the dish, best when bone-in and skin-on for maximum flavor.

Seasoning Blend:

Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika, Italian Seasoning, Salt, Black Pepper: Aromatic spice mix that creates a flavorful coating for the chicken, enhancing overall taste and providing depth of seasoning.

Cooking Fat:

Olive Oil: Helps sear the chicken and provides a subtle fruity undertone to the meat.

Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, velvety cream sauce.

Sauce Components:

Heavy Cream, Chicken Broth, Lemon Juice: Creamy base that creates a luxurious sauce, with lemon adding brightness and cutting through the richness.

Aromatics:

Onion, Garlic: Provides foundational flavor and depth to the cream sauce, adding complexity and aroma.

Garnish:

Fresh Parsley: Adds a fresh, green note and visual appeal to the finished dish.

Steps To Cook Skillet Chicken Thighs With Cream Sauce

Step 1: Prepare Chicken for Searing

Pat chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels

• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Generously coat both sides of chicken with the spice mixture

Step 2: Create Golden Chicken Crust

Fire up a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat

Drizzle olive oil across the pan

Carefully place chicken skin-side down

Sear for 10 minutes until skin turns crispy and golden brown

Flip chicken and reduce heat

Continue cooking for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature hits 165ºF

Transfer perfectly cooked chicken to a waiting plate

Step 3: Whip Up Luxurious Cream Sauce

Use the same skillet without cleaning

Melt butter and add diced onion

Sauté onions until they turn soft and translucent

Toss in minced garlic and cook briefly

• Heavy cream
• Chicken broth
• Fresh lemon juice

Allow sauce to simmer gently

Step 4: Finish and Plate

Return chicken to the bubbling sauce

Let chicken warm through and absorb sauce flavors

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top

Serve alongside mashed potatoes, rice, steamed broccoli, or crusty bread

Helpful Tips For Skillet Chicken Thighs With Cream Sauce

• Perfectly Pat Dry: Use paper towels to thoroughly remove moisture from chicken thighs, ensuring a crispy golden-brown sear and preventing steaming.
• Spice Blend Mastery: Create a custom seasoning mix that coats chicken evenly, enhancing flavor depth and creating a delicious crust during cooking.
• Skin Searing Secret: Start skin-side down in a hot skillet to render fat and develop a crispy exterior, which locks in juiciness and adds incredible texture.
• Sauce Stability Trick: Simmer cream sauce gently to prevent separation, using low heat and stirring occasionally to maintain a smooth, rich consistency.
• Temperature Check Technique: Always use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165ºF, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked meat without drying out.

How To Store Skillet Chicken Thighs With Cream Sauce

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags, preserving the dish for up to 2 months with minimal flavor loss.
• Reheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F, place chicken in a baking dish with a splash of broth, cover with foil, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
• Microwave: Heat chicken in 30-second intervals, stirring sauce between each interval to prevent drying, stopping when internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Side Ideas For Skillet Chicken Thighs With Cream Sauce

• Pair Perfectly with Crisp White Wine: Opt for a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc to complement the creamy sauce and cut through the richness of the chicken thighs.
• Enhance with Roasted Vegetable Medley: Create a colorful side of roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, and asparagus to add texture and nutritional balance to the dish.
• Serve Alongside Herbed Focaccia Bread: Select a crusty, herb-infused focaccia to soak up the luxurious cream sauce and provide a delightful carbohydrate accompaniment.
• Match with Bright Citrus Salad: Prepare a light salad with mixed greens, orange segments, and a zesty vinaigrette to refresh the palate between bites of the creamy chicken.

Fun Variations Of Skillet Chicken Thighs With Cream Sauce

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk for a lactose-free option. Use olive oil instead of butter to maintain the creamy texture while keeping it dairy-free.
• Low-Carb Hero: Swap mashed potatoes or rice with cauliflower rice or roasted zucchini noodles. Reduce onion quantity and use extra herbs to enhance flavor without adding carbohydrates.
• Herb-Infused Wellness: Experiment with fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or sage instead of Italian seasoning. Add fresh dill or chives as a final garnish to boost nutritional value and create a vibrant flavor profile.
• Spicy Mediterranean Spin: Incorporate red pepper flakes or smoked paprika into the spice mixture. Add kalamata olives and sun-dried tomatoes to the cream sauce for an intense Mediterranean-inspired experience.

Your Questions On Skillet Chicken Thighs With Cream Sauce

• Can I use boneless chicken thighs instead of bone-in?

Yes, boneless chicken thighs work perfectly. Just adjust cooking time slightly, as they cook faster than bone-in thighs. Aim for an internal temperature of 165ºF and golden brown exterior.

• What if I don't have all the specific seasonings?

No problem! Use what you have. Italian seasoning can be substituted with dried herbs like thyme, oregano, and basil. The key is balancing flavors with salt, pepper, and your preferred herbs.

• How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Chicken thighs are done when they reach 165ºF. If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part – the meat should be white with no pink and juices should run clear.

• Can I make this dish dairy-free?

To make it dairy-free, replace heavy cream with coconut cream or a non-dairy alternative like unsweetened almond cream. Use olive oil instead of butter for sautéing. The flavor profile will be slightly different but still delicious.

Succulent Skillet Chicken Thighs with Cream Sauce Recipe

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• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 56 1x

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Description

Skillet Chicken Thighs with Cream Sauce brings succulent poultry to life with rich, velvety French-inspired flavors. Crispy-skinned chicken nestles into a luxurious herb-infused sauce that promises comfort and elegance for dinner guests and home cooks alike.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 5 to 6 boneless chicken thighs

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Cooking and Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 small onion, minced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare the aromatic spice blend by combining garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper in a small mixing bowl.
2. Use paper towels to thoroughly dry the chicken thighs, ensuring a crisp sear.
3. Generously coat both sides of the chicken with the prepared spice mixture, pressing gently to help seasonings adhere.
4. Warm olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers with intense heat.
5. Carefully place chicken thighs skin-side down, allowing them to develop a rich golden crust without moving for 10 minutes.
6. Flip the chicken, reducing heat to medium, and continue cooking for an additional 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165ºF.
7. Transfer perfectly seared chicken to a holding plate, keeping it warm and juicy.
8. In the same skillet, melt butter and introduce finely chopped onions, sautéing until they become translucent and soft.
9. Add minced garlic, stirring quickly to release its aromatic essence without burning.
10. Pour in heavy cream, chicken broth, and a splash of bright lemon juice, creating a luxurious sauce base.
11. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, allowing flavors to meld and slightly thicken.
12. Reintroduce chicken thighs to the skillet, letting them bathe in the creamy sauce for a few minutes.
13. Finish by scattering freshly chopped parsley over the dish for a pop of color and freshness.
14. Serve alongside complementary sides like creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, steamed broccoli, or crusty toasted bread.

Notes

• Always pat chicken thighs completely dry to ensure crispy, golden-brown skin that develops a beautiful sear without steaming.
• Customize spice blend by adjusting seasoning ratios or adding herbs like thyme or rosemary for deeper flavor complexity.
• Use a cast-iron skillet for superior heat retention and incredible caramelization of chicken skin and sauce development.
• Monitor chicken temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee perfectly cooked, ju

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 56
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 5 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg