Rich & Creamy Garlic Chicken

This Rich & Creamy Garlic Chicken is an easy, comforting dinner made with juicy, golden chicken simmered in a silky garlic cream sauce. The Rich & Creamy Garlic Chicken combines plenty of fresh garlic, Parmesan, herbs, and cream for a savory sauce that tastes indulgent without requiring complicated preparation. Serve Rich & Creamy Garlic Chicken with rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up every bit of the sauce.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Total time: 45 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6–8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 8–10 garlic cloves, divided
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper, as needed

Instructions

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs in the skillet skin-side down and cook for about 6–8 minutes, until the skin is deeply golden and crisp. Flip and cook for another 4–5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate while you prepare the sauce.

Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. Add 4 or 5 whole garlic cloves and cook them for a few minutes, turning occasionally, until lightly golden. Finely mince the remaining garlic, add it to the skillet, and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

Pour in the chicken broth and gently scrape the bottom of the skillet to loosen all those flavorful browned bits. Let the broth simmer for 2–3 minutes.

Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, and thyme. Cook gently for another 2–3 minutes, stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Avoid letting the cream boil vigorously.

Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, skin-side up. Spoon a little sauce around the chicken, then cover and simmer over medium-low heat for about 15 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part.

Add the spinach during the final few minutes of cooking and let it wilt into the creamy sauce. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.

Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley and a little extra Parmesan. Let the chicken rest in the sauce for a couple of minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Rich & Creamy Garlic Chicken over fluffy white rice for an easy dinner, or pair it with mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, roasted vegetables, or warm crusty bread. A simple green salad also works nicely alongside the rich garlic sauce.

For an especially flavorful result, don't rush the first step. Getting the chicken beautifully browned creates flavorful bits in the pan that become the base of the creamy garlic sauce.