Introduction

This creamy oven baked chicken thighs recipe is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for a cozy dinner. Tender chicken thighs are cooked in a rich, garlicky cream sauce with Parmesan cheese, making every bite indulgent and satisfying. It’s simple to prepare and sure to please the whole family.

This close-up image shows creamy chicken in a pan with five pieces of browned chicken partially covered in a thick, light yellow sauce with white creamy parts. The sauce has a smooth texture with small bubbles and a glossy shine from melted butter or oil. Small green herb sprinkles, likely dill, dot the sauce and chicken pieces. There are also small black pepper specks scattered over the dish. The scene is set on a white marbled texture, visible at the pan’s edge. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

5 chicken thighs (skinless & boneless, dried with paper towel)
1 teaspoon 21 Salute Seasoning (or any poultry seasoning of your choice)
Salt & pepper (to taste)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
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)
2 teaspoons dill (finely chopped for garnish, optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Season the chicken thighs on both sides with the 21 Salute Seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Step 2: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in an oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken thighs and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.
Step 3: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the finely chopped garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally.
Step 4: Stir in the flour continuously for 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring, and cook for another minute until the sauce thickens.
Step 5: Pour in the heavy whipping cream and stir well. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, then taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Step 6: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, coating them well with the creamy sauce. Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Step 7: Garnish with chopped dill and extra Parmesan cheese if desired before serving. Enjoy your creamy oven baked chicken thighs!

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken thighs with seasoning and garlic for 30 minutes before cooking.
Use bone-in chicken thighs for a juicier, more tender result, but increase baking time accordingly.
Swap Parmesan cheese for Pecorino Romano for a sharper taste.
Add a handful of fresh spinach or mushrooms to the sauce before baking for added nutrition and flavor.

Storage

Store leftover chicken thighs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to maintain the creamy texture.

How to Serve

A close-up view of several browned chicken pieces partially covered with thick, creamy white sauce in a silver frying pan, sprinkled with small green dill leaves evenly spread over the sauce and chicken, with some melted cheese blending into the sauce, all on a white marbled surface next to a white plate holding a piece of pale yellow cheese wedge and some small cheese crumbs, photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts, but thighs tend to stay juicier and more flavorful, especially in baking. If using breasts, reduce the cooking time slightly to prevent drying out.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

This dish can be frozen after cooking. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. It will keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently.

Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 70 reviews

This Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs recipe features juicy, boneless, skinless chicken thighs cooked in a rich, flavorful garlic cream sauce with Parmesan cheese. Seared on the stovetop for a golden crust and baked to perfection in a creamy sauce, this dish is comforting and elegant, perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

Author: Stella
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 5 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

5 chicken thighs (skinless & boneless, dried with paper towel)
1 teaspoon 21 Salute Seasoning (or any poultry seasoning of your choice)
Salt & pepper (to taste)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for searing)

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 Pecorino cheese, finely grated)
Salt & pepper (to taste)
2 teaspoons dill (finely chopped for garnish, optional)

Instructions

Preheat and Season: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Season both sides of the chicken thighs with 21 Salute seasoning, salt, and pepper evenly.
Sear the Chicken: In an oven-proof skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the chicken thighs and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side or until they develop a golden brown crust. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
Melt Butter for Sauce: In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat to begin the sauce.
Sauté Garlic: Add finely chopped garlic to the melted butter and sauté for about 1 minute while stirring frequently to release the garlic’s aroma without browning.
Make Roux and Add Broth: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flour into the skillet and stir continuously for about 1 minute to cook the flour. Slowly pour in the chicken broth, stirring constantly, and cook for another minute until the sauce thickens slightly.
Add Cream and Cheese: Pour in 1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream and stir well to combine. Add 1/2 cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Combine Chicken and Sauce, Bake: Return the seared chicken thighs to the skillet, turning them to coat thoroughly with the creamy sauce. Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C).
Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish the dish with chopped dill and additional cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy this creamy, comforting meal!

Notes

Use an oven-proof skillet such as cast iron for easy transitioning from stovetop to oven.
You can substitute the 21 Salute seasoning with any poultry seasoning blend available.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer a bit longer on the stove before adding chicken back.
Boneless, skinless thighs make this dish quick and easy, but bone-in skin-on thighs can also be used, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
Dill garnish adds a fresh touch but is optional based on preference.
To make this dish gluten-free, substitute the flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch.

Keywords: creamy chicken thighs, oven baked chicken, chicken thigh recipe, creamy garlic sauce, Parmesan chicken, easy chicken dinner