Creamy Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs Recipe
This Creamy Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs recipe features tender, bone-in chicken thighs seared to crispy perfection and simmered in a luscious, velvety garlic mushroom cream sauce. It’s a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
- Author: Luna
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce & Vegetables
- 8 oz fresh cremini or button mushrooms, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or thyme, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- Additional salt and pepper, to taste
- Prepare and Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure the skin crisps up nicely during cooking. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper to taste.
- Sear the Chicken Thighs: Heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 5-7 minutes until the skin turns golden brown and crispy. Flip the thighs and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes briefly. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic and Mushrooms: In the same skillet, add the diced mushrooms and minced garlic. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the mushrooms release their moisture, begin to brown, and the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Build the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to collect any browned bits. Allow the broth to reduce slightly, then stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens and becomes velvety.
- Return Chicken to the Pan and Finish Cooking: Nestle the chicken thighs back into the creamy mushroom sauce. Lower the heat to low, cover the skillet, and cook for 10-12 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and tender, allowing the sauce to infuse the flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley or thyme over the top before serving to add a fresh and vibrant flavor. Serve the dish directly from the skillet for a rustic and comforting presentation.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry is crucial for crispy skin; moisture will steam the skin instead of crisping it.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the cream slightly longer or add a small slurry of cornstarch and water.
- Use fresh herbs for garnish to brighten the dish, but dried thyme or parsley can be substituted if fresh is unavailable.
- Bone-in, skin-on thighs offer the best flavor and juiciness; boneless can be used but will yield slightly different texture.
- Adjust seasoning at the end to ensure the sauce is perfectly balanced.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: garlic mushroom chicken, creamy chicken thighs, skillet chicken recipe, easy dinner, comfort food, garlic cream sauce