Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs is a quick dinner idea perfect for busy weeknights and special occasions! They’re seared chicken thighs cooked in a creamy, garlic, and Parmesan sauce. From prep to table in under 1 hour, this simple yet elegant dinner turns everyday chicken thighs into something amazing!
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If you’ve been around for a while you know how much I love cooking chicken thighs! Honey mustard chicken thighs and baked honey garlic chicken thighs are two of my favorites, but there’s something so comforting about a cream sauce, especially during the winter months!
So, that’s why these creamy oven baked chicken thighs are now on heavy rotation because as soon as the cooler weather hits, I’m all about the comfort food!
These are made using boneless chicken thighs that are seared to a golden brown, then smothered in a rich, creamy, garlic butter and Parmesan sauce that is so good you’ll want to lick your plate!
Using boneless meat makes it easy to get dinner on the table quickly because they cook much faster than bone-in. Everything is done in one pan, and if you have a skillet that can be transferred from the stovetop to the oven, even better!
Creamy chicken thighs come together easily which is perfect for busy weeknights. The easy cleanup is just a bonus!
Ingredients Needed for Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
For the Chicken
- Chicken thighs: For these oven-baked chicken thighs boneless and skinless is the way to go. They cook much faster! We’re not looking for super crispy skin because it’s covered in the sauce anyway!
- Butter: Use unsalted butter because we’re adding salt ourselves. Not only to season the chicken but it’s also in the sauce and this way we can control the amount.
- Seasoning: Salute seasoning from Trader Joe’s or any poultry seasoning you have on hand. You’ll also need some salt and pepper to taste.
For the Cream Sauce
- Butter: Again, we’ll stick with unsalted butter. This time we’re going to use it to start the cream sauce by infusing the butter with delicious garlicky flavor.
- Garlic, finely chopped: The aromatic deliciousness that makes the sauce so tasty.
- Flour: A thickening agent that helps thicken the sauce so that it coats the chicken nicely.
- Chicken broth & Heavy whipping cream: Together they are the liquids used to turn the sauce into a rich, creamy, flavorful mixture.
- Parmesan cheese: I always recommend freshly grated Parmesan, rather than the pre-shredded cheese from a container. It melts much nicer and has more flavor. You can also use Piave cheese, which is similar to Parmesan, but less pungent and sharp because it isn’t aged as long.
- Salt & pepper: To taste.
- Fresh dill: Chopped herbs for garnish adds a bright finish to this dish.
How to Make Creamy Oven Baked Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
Step 1: Heat the oven to 375 degrees, and start seasoning the chicken with salt, pepper, and 21 Salute seasoning.
Step 2: Sear chicken thighs in melted butter over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side. They should be golden brown. Transfer them to a plate and set them aside.
Step 3: To make the creamy garlic sauce, use the same skillet to melt more butter. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring a few times to avoid burnt garlic.
Step 4: Sprinkle in the flour to make a roux. Once a pale paste is formed, after about 1 minute, start to slowly pour in the chicken broth. Whisk continuously until the flour has dissolved, and the sauce starts to thicken.
Step 5: Stir in the heavy whipping cream along with the Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6: Place the chicken back into the skillet and place the entire thing in a preheated 375-degree oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
Garnish creamy oven baked chicken thighs with dill and some extra grated cheese on top. Complete your meal with mashed potatoes, rice, and some vegetables on the side!
Recipe Tips
- Pat the chicken dry first before adding the seasoning. Getting rid of excess moisture will help the seasoning stick and give them a nice sear.
- I use butter to sauté the onions and brown the chicken because it adds so much flavor to everything, but you can use olive oil if you prefer.
- Brown the chicken thighs in batches. You don’t want to overcrowd the skillet otherwise they won’t cook evenly or create a nice crust that locks in the moisture.
- Easily turn this into a creamy garlic mushroom sauce by adding some sliced mushrooms to the sauce. Yum!
- Replace the broth with white wine for a variation in flavor. The alcohol will cook off, so it’s still a family-friendly meal!
FAQs
How long to bake boneless chicken thighs in the oven?
Since we’re starting the process by browning the meat on the outside, the chicken will only need about 30-35 minutes in the oven.
Use a thermometer to get an accurate reading. Once it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, it’s done.
Can I replace heavy cream with half and half?
You can! Keep in mind, the more fat there is the richer and thicker the sauce will be. Half and half won’t lead to the same consistency, but close enough!
How to store leftover creamy oven baked chicken thighs?
Always keep cooked chicken stored in an airtight container in the fridge. You can enjoy leftovers for up to 3 days!
Best way to reheat chicken thighs?
Place them back into the skillet and heat through on the stovetop or in the oven, it’s up to you. You might find adding a splash of broth or cream will help loosen up the sauce again.
Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
Equipment
Ingredients
For Chicken Thighs
- 5 chicken thighs skinless & boneless, dried with paper towel
- 1 teaspoon 21 Salute Seasoning from Trader Joe's or use any poultry seasoning of your choice
- salt & pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
For Creamy Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons garlic finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese or prieve cheese, finely grated
- salt & pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoon dill finely chopped for garnish, optional
Instructions
- First, preheat the oven to 375F. Next, season chicken with seasoning, salt & pepper, on both sides.
- Now, melt butter in oven-proof skillet over medium heat, add chicken thighs and sear for 2-3 minutes or until golden color on both sides. After, transfer to a plate and set aside.
To Make Creamy Sauce
- To make the creamy chicken sauce, melt butter in the same skillet. Once it melts add garlic and saute for 1 minute, stirring few times.
- Now, add flour and stir continuously for 1 minute. Next, slowly pour in chicken broth and cook for 1 minute stirring continuously, or until sauce thickens. Pour in heavy whipping cream and give it a nice stir. Add cheese, stir and taste it, add more salt or pepper, if needed.
- Finally, add chicken thighs back into the skillet, coating each thigh in the creamy sauce. Bake for 30-35 minutes, uncovered or until chicken is cooked thru.
- Garnish with dill and more cheese, if desired. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Q. – Do YOU like this Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs?
Let us know in the comments below, we would love to hear from you!
Thank YOU for YOUR Comment, Share & Recipe Review!
This was amazing. I’ll definitely make it again. It’s dinner party worthy. I doubled the sauce recipe and served over a fancy pasta and added fresh spinach with the chicken before it went in the oven. So easy too.
Thank you, Judy! I m so happy you like this creamy chicken thighs recipe!!!
This recipe was really good. Easy to make. A definite keeper.
How much heavy cream do you suggest? I don’t see that ingredient in the recipe for the sauce.
Oops sorry about that, it’s 1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream.