Description
A rich and comforting winter dinner featuring juicy chicken thighs in a silky, buttery sauce with smoky spices. Quick and easy to prepare, perfect for cozy nights.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 3/4 cup heavy cream (180 ml)
- 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth (120 ml)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry and season both sides with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Mince garlic and chop parsley.
- Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and sizzling. Add chicken thighs in a single layer without crowding. Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until golden and caramelized.
- Flip chicken and cook another 3-4 minutes until browned and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C). Remove chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
- Lower heat to medium and add remaining 4 tablespoons butter to skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Let simmer for 2 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream and simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
- Return chicken to the pan, spoon sauce over each piece, and heat through for 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.
- Serve immediately with mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, buttered egg noodles, or rice.
Notes
[‘Use real unsalted butter for best flavor and control over salt.’, ‘Do not rush browning the chicken to develop a golden crust.’, ‘Keep heat moderate when making the sauce to prevent cream from curdling.’, ‘Worcestershire sauce adds umami and depth to the sauce.’, ‘Fresh garlic is essential for aroma and flavor.’, ‘Leftovers taste better the next day; reheat gently with broth or cream to loosen sauce.’, ‘For a restaurant finish, stir in a tablespoon of cold butter at the end for extra gloss.’, ‘Optional add-ins include mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers added during sauce step.’, ‘To make dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and butter with dairy-free butter.’, ‘Slow cooker adaptation: brown chicken first, then cook all ingredients except cream on low 4-6 hours; add cream last 30 minutes.’]
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
- Calories: 520
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 38
- Saturated Fat: 22
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Protein: 40
Keywords: creamy chicken, cowboy butter chicken, winter dinner, comfort food, easy chicken recipe, buttery sauce, smoked paprika chicken