Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs – A Flavorful One-Pan Delight

Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs 🍋🧄🍗

These Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs are a perfect one-pan dinner—juicy, golden chicken simmered in a velvety lemon-garlic cream sauce. It’s rich, zesty, and comes together quickly for an easy weeknight or date-night meal. 💚

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Recipe 💚

• ✅ One-Pan Simplicity: Easy to make and even easier to clean up.
• ✅ Bright & Creamy: The perfect balance of citrusy zest and rich garlic sauce.
• ✅ Juicy & Flavorful: Chicken thighs stay tender and full of flavor.
• ✅ Versatile: Serve over rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or veggies.

🍋 Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe

Ingredients

• 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs 🍗
• Salt and black pepper to taste 🧂
• 2 tbsp olive oil 🫒
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
• ½ cup chicken broth 🍲
• ¾ cup heavy cream 🥛
• Zest of 1 lemon 🍋
• 2 tbsp lemon juice 🍋
• 1 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning 🌿
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) 🌿
• Optional: extra lemon slices for garnish 🍋

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions (Expanded)

1. Season and sear:
   Pat chicken thighs dry. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs, skin-side down, for about 6–8 minutes until crispy and golden. Flip and cook another 4–5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
2. Make the sauce base:
   • Lower heat to medium.
   • Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
   • Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits.
3. Add cream and lemon:
   • Stir in the heavy cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, and dried thyme.
   • Bring to a gentle simmer, letting the sauce thicken slightly for 2–3 minutes.
4. Return chicken to pan:
   Nestle the chicken thighs back into the sauce, skin-side up. Spoon some sauce over the chicken. Simmer gently, uncovered, for 10–15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F or 74°C).
5. Garnish and serve:
   Sprinkle with fresh parsley and extra lemon slices if desired. Serve hot over your favorite sides! 🍋🍗

💡 Flavor Tips & Variations

• ✨ Make it extra garlicky: Add roasted garlic cloves to the sauce.
• ✨ Want it lighter? Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
• ✨ Herb variations: Try rosemary, basil, or fresh oregano for different herb profiles.
• ✨ Extra tang: Add a splash of white wine when deglazing the pan.

🧄 Nutritional Highlights

Chicken thighs are rich in protein and iron, while lemon provides vitamin C and antioxidants. Although rich, the creamy sauce uses wholesome, real ingredients, making this a nourishing and satisfying dish.

🧊 Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

• ✅ Make-ahead: Sear chicken and prepare sauce separately; combine and finish before serving for the freshest taste.
• ✅ Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• ✅ Reheat gently: Warm over low heat on the stovetop, stirring sauce to recombine smoothly.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use boneless thighs?

Yes! Boneless, skinless thighs cook a little faster. Reduce searing and simmering time slightly.

How can I thicken the sauce more?

Simmer a bit longer uncovered, or stir in a slurry of 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water.

Can I substitute chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Pound chicken breasts to even thickness, and be careful not to overcook as they dry out faster than thighs.

Bright, Creamy & Comforting in One Pan 💚

Bring restaurant flavors to your home kitchen with these creamy lemon garlic chicken thighs! 🍋🐔💬 Share your dish below or tag your skillet masterpiece on Pinterest!