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Creamy One-Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe Easy and Perfect with Spinach

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A quick and easy one-skillet dinner featuring crispy bone-in chicken thighs cooked in a creamy garlic butter sauce with fresh spinach. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs or 700g)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups fresh spinach (about 120g), washed and roughly chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240ml)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (120ml)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  2. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, place chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 6–7 minutes without moving to get a golden, crispy crust.
  3. Flip the chicken thighs and cook for another 4–5 minutes. The chicken won’t be fully cooked yet but should have nice color on both sides.
  4. Remove chicken and set aside on a plate. Lower heat to medium and add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet.
  5. Add minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  6. Pour in chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to loosen browned bits. Let simmer for 2 minutes.
  7. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, cooking gently until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2–3 minutes.
  8. Add chopped spinach and stir until just wilted, about 1–2 minutes.
  9. Return chicken thighs to the skillet, skin-side up, and spoon sauce over the tops.
  10. Cover loosely and simmer for 7–10 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the sauce thickens.
  11. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Optionally, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving.

Notes

Patting chicken dry is crucial for crispy skin. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain crispiness. Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for best flavor and texture. If sauce thickens too much, thin with chicken broth or cream. Monitor garlic carefully to avoid burning. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F (74°C).

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter chicken, creamy chicken thighs, one skillet chicken, spinach chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, weeknight dinner, low-carb chicken

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/creamy-one-skillet-garlic-butter-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-and-perfect-with-spinach/