Juicy, Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe You’ll Love

My kitchen always buzzes with excitement when a delicious creamy oven baked chicken thighs recipe lands on the counter.

Tender meat promises something special tonight for dinner.

Juicy chicken thighs marinated with rich cream and herbs create magic in the cooking process.

Crispy exterior and soft interior make this dish irresistible for everyone around the table.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly to produce a meal that feels both luxurious and comforting.

Quick preparation means you can have this fantastic dinner ready in less than an hour.

Dive into this recipe and watch faces light up with pure culinary delight.

Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs to Savor

• Searing chicken before baking locks in juices and creates a golden-brown exterior, while the rich cream sauce delivers maximum taste with simple seasonings like paprika, garlic, and Parmesan.
• Using an oven-safe skillet means fewer dishes to wash, making cleanup a breeze and saving precious time after cooking a delicious family meal.
• Swap ingredients or add vegetables directly to the sauce, making this recipe adaptable for different taste preferences and dietary needs without compromising on comfort and flavor.

Ingredients for Creamy Baked Chicken Thighs

• Chicken Thighs: Succulent meat that provides rich flavor and tender texture, best with bone-in and skin-on for extra juiciness.

• Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: Classic spice combination that creates deep, savory flavor profile with warm undertones.

• Olive Oil: Helps sear chicken and provides initial cooking fat with smooth, subtle taste.
• Butter: Adds rich, creamy foundation to sauce with smooth melting properties.

• Chicken Broth: Provides depth and moisture, enhancing overall sauce complexity.
• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, velvety texture with delicate richness.

• Parmesan Cheese: Offers sharp, salty notes and helps thicken sauce naturally.
• Thyme: Brings subtle earthy and herbal dimensions to the dish.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient for gentle heat and slight spiciness.

• Onion: Provides sweet and savory base notes, adding complexity to sauce.
• Garlic: Delivers robust, pungent flavor that complements chicken perfectly.

How to Bake Creamy Chicken Thighs at Home

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Heat your oven to a toasty 400°F.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

Grab your chicken thighs and give them a gentle pat with paper towels to remove excess moisture.

• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Massage this magical seasoning mix all over the chicken, making sure every inch gets some love.

Step 3: Sear to Perfection

Grab a large oven-safe skillet and drizzle some olive oil.

Crank the heat to medium-high and place chicken thighs skin-side down.

Cook for 3-4 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Flip and sear the other side for 2-3 minutes.

Remove chicken and set aside.

Step 4: Create the Luxurious Cream Sauce

In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.

Toss in chopped onions and cook until they become soft and translucent.

Add minced garlic and let it dance in the pan for a minute.

Pour chicken broth and scrape up those delicious browned bits.

• Heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese
• Fresh thyme
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Let the sauce simmer and thicken for 2-3 minutes.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Combine and Bake

Nestle the seared chicken back into the creamy sauce.

Slide the skillet into the preheated oven.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes.

Spoon that incredible sauce over the chicken.

Pair with rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up all the deliciousness.

Tips for Skin and Creamy Sauce

• Optimize Chicken Texture: Pat chicken thighs completely dry before seasoning to ensure crispy, golden-brown skin that seals in delicious flavors.
• Control Spice Level: Adjust red pepper flakes according to personal heat preference, adding sparingly for mild taste or generously for extra kick.
• Create Consistent Sauce: Gently simmer cream sauce to prevent separation, stirring occasionally and maintaining medium-low heat for smooth, velvety consistency.
• Guarantee Perfect Doneness: Use meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exactly 165°F, preventing overcooking while ensuring food safety and juicy meat.
• Enhance Flavor Absorption: Let chicken rest 5 minutes after baking, allowing juices to redistribute and creating more tender, succulent meat throughout each thigh.

Storage Instructions for Chicken Thigh Leftovers

• Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Allow chicken to reach room temperature before sealing to prevent condensation and soggy texture.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, place chicken in baking dish, cover with foil, and warm for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Splash extra cream sauce to prevent drying.
• Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring sauce between each interval to maintain moisture and prevent rubbery chicken texture.

Pair These Sides with Creamy Baked Chicken Thighs

• Select a zesty Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay to complement the creamy sauce’s richness and cut through the dish’s heaviness.
• Roast garlic-herb baby potatoes or creamy parmesan risotto will enhance the chicken’s flavor profile and absorb the luxurious sauce beautifully.
• Create a bright arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a tangy, peppery counterpoint to the rich, creamy chicken thighs.
• Serve warm, crusty sourdough or herbed focaccia to soak up the decadent sauce and add delightful textural contrast to the tender chicken.

Recipe Variations for Creamy Baked Chicken Thighs

• Dairy-Free Option: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese for a lactose-free version that maintains creamy texture.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap chicken thighs with chicken breasts and serve over cauliflower rice or roasted vegetables to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the rich, flavorful sauce.
• Herb Lovers’ Variation: Enhance the sauce by adding fresh rosemary, sage, and extra thyme. Include chopped fresh parsley as a garnish to boost herbal complexity and brighten the dish’s overall flavor profile.
• Spicy Kick Version: Increase red pepper flakes or add diced jalapeños to the cream sauce. Include smoked paprika in the chicken seasoning to create a more intense, fiery version of the original recipe that delivers extra heat and depth.

Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe

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4.9 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs deliver pure comfort on a plate, promising rich flavors with minimal kitchen effort. Crispy skin and tender meat combine in this delightful dish that welcomes hungry diners to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) paprika
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) onion powder
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) black pepper
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried thyme or Italian seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) red pepper flakes (optional)

Sauce and Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) unsalted butter
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
• ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare a robust seasoning blend by combining paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a small mixing container. Thoroughly coat each chicken thigh with this aromatic spice mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Heat olive oil in a sturdy oven-safe skillet over medium-high temperature. Carefully place chicken thighs skin-side down, allowing them to develop a golden-brown crust for 3–4 minutes. Flip and sear the alternate side for an additional 2–3 minutes to lock in flavors.
3. Without cleaning the skillet, reduce heat to medium and introduce butter. Sauté diced onions until they become translucent and soft, approximately 3–4 minutes.
4. Add minced garlic and briefly cook until its aromatic essence permeates the skillet. Pour chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to deglaze and capture all caramelized flavor fragments from the pan’s surface.
5. Incorporate heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, fresh thyme, and optional red pepper flakes. Gently simmer the sauce, stirring periodically, until it reaches a luxurious, slightly thickened consistency. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to taste.
6. Delicately nestle seared chicken thighs skin-side up into the creamy sauce, ensuring each piece is partially submerged.
7. Transfer the skillet to a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven. Roast for 20–25 minutes, or until chicken internal temperature precisely reaches 165°F (75°C), guaranteeing perfect doneness.
8. Once removed from the oven, allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes, permitting juices to redistribute and enhance overall tenderness.
9. Generously ladle the rich, velvety sauce over the chicken. Serve alongside complementary accompaniments like fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or crusty artisan bread to absorb the luxurious sauce.

Notes

• Ensure chicken skin is completely dry before searing to achieve maximum crispiness and golden-brown color.
• Control heat during searing to prevent burning; medium-high provides perfect caramelization without scorching.
• Select bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for richer flavor and more tender meat during baking.
• Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal chicken temperature reaches exactly 165°F for food safety without overcooking.
• Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for lighter version, adjusting sauce consistency as needed.
• Add fresh herbs like rosemary or parsley for extra aromatic depth and visual appeal before serving.
• Gluten-free option: Replace wheat-based thickeners with cornstarch or arrowroot powder in cream sauce.
• Low-carb alternative: Serve with cauliflower mash or roasted vegetables instead of traditional starches.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 160 mg