Description
This Creamy Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs recipe features tender, bone-in chicken thighs cooked to perfection with a crispy skin, simmered in a rich and velvety garlic mushroom cream sauce infused with fresh herbs. It’s a comforting and elegant one-pan dish perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Mushroom Cream Sauce
- 8 oz fresh cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides to ensure a flavorful, crispy crust when seared.
- Sear the chicken: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and cook until the skin is golden brown and crispy, about 6 to 8 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside temporarily.
- Sauté mushrooms and garlic: In the same skillet, add the sliced mushrooms and sauté until they release their juices and become tender, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, being careful to avoid bitterness.
- Deglaze and simmer sauce: Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the heavy cream and simmer gently, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Finish cooking chicken in sauce: Place the seared chicken thighs back into the creamy mushroom sauce. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for another 10 to 12 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Garnish and serve: Just before serving, sprinkle fresh thyme leaves or chopped parsley over the dish to add brightness and a fresh herbal note.
Notes
- You can substitute cremini mushrooms with button or baby bella mushrooms depending on availability.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but sauce will be less rich.
- Ensure the chicken thighs are thoroughly dried before seasoning to get a crispier skin.
- Use a meat thermometer to check internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
