Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

Who doesn’t love a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth dish that practically cooks itself?

Imagine sliding into dinner with Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs that wrap you in a blanket of rich flavor. This dish brings you a winner with minimal effort, making it the perfect option when you want to impress but have zero time to spare. Plus, it’s a one-pan wonder, which means fewer dishes to wash — yes, please!

Why make this recipe

Why do you need to whip up these delicious thighs tonight? First off, easy cleanup means you can relax after a long day instead of facing the mountain of pots and pans. Secondly, this recipe is family-friendly; everyone from the picky eaters to the gourmet food lovers will enjoy it. And let’s be real—who wouldn’t love sinking their teeth into juicy chicken in a creamy sauce while maybe binge-watching their new favorite show?

Ingredients

You don’t need fancy stuff—just these basics!

• 4 chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

Directions

Let’s make this happen with some simple steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
3. In a large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
4. Sear the chicken thighs on both sides until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side.
5. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
6. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds.
7. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
8. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
9. Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, spooning some sauce over them.
10. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
11. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

How to make Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs (Overview)

Ready to dive into the process? First, you’ll sear those chicken thighs to bring out a fantastic golden crust. Then you’ll whip up a quick cream sauce right in that same skillet—seriously, who doesn’t love saving time on dishes?! Pro tip: Don’t skip toasting the garlic; it laces your creation with a wonderful depth of flavor! Finally, into the oven it goes for a cozy bake, and you’re left with a dish that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds.

How to serve Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

This dish looks and smells divine. Serve it on a bed of buttery mashed potatoes for a comforting contrast, or pair with steamed broccoli to add a pop of color and crunch. Drizzle that luscious sauce over the top, and your table will be Instagram-ready. You’ll have your friends asking if they can move in just for dinner!

How to store Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months if you want to meal prep like a pro. When you’re ready to enjoy, just reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

Tips to make Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

• Browning is key: Make sure to sear the chicken well for both flavor and texture.
• Swap the cream: Don’t have heavy cream? Try half-and-half for a lighter version, just know it won’t be quite as rich!
• Herb it up: A sprinkle of dried thyme or oregano can elevate the flavor to new heights—experiment and see what you love best!
• Thicker sauce: Want a thicker sauce? Let it simmer a few minutes longer on the stove before adding the chicken back in.

Variation

Feeling adventurous? Try adding spinach or sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce for extra flavor. If you want a vegan version, swap chicken for cauliflower steaks and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. You’ll still achieve that dreamy, creamy goodness!

FAQs

Q: Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
A: Totally! Just keep an eye on the cooking time as breasts may dry out faster. Thighs are juicier, which is why they’re often the preferred choice.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! Prep the chicken and sauce ahead, then bake just before serving for a fresh and hot meal.

Q: What if I don’t have Parmesan?
A: No problem! Any hard cheese like Pecorino Romano will work, or you could even use nutritional yeast for a vegan twist.

📌 Pin this recipe for your next cozy dinner night!

Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

A creamy, melt-in-your-mouth dish that's easy to prepare and perfect for a family-friendly dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 4 pieces chicken thighs Bone-in, skin-on recommended for best flavor.
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced Toast for enhanced flavor.
• 1 cup heavy cream Can substitute with half-and-half.
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Can use other hard cheeses or nutritional yeast for vegan version.
• Salt to taste Salt
• Pepper to taste Pepper
• Chopped parsley for garnish Chopped parsley Optional garnish.

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
3. In a large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
4. Sear the chicken thighs on both sides until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side.
5. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Cooking

1. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds.
2. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
3. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
4. Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, spooning some sauce over them.
5. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
6. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.