Description
This Simple Christmas Creamy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs recipe offers a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken thighs baked to perfection and smothered in a rich, creamy Parmesan garlic sauce. Enhanced with fragrant dill garnish, this dish is perfect for a festive holiday meal or a cozy family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For Chicken Thighs
- 5 chicken thighs, skinless & boneless, dried with paper towel
- 1 teaspoon 21 Salute Seasoning from Trader Joe’s or any poultry seasoning of your choice
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
For Creamy Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese or Prieve cheese
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped dill for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken Thighs: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure the skinless surface browns nicely. Season evenly with 21 Salute Seasoning, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Sauté Chicken: In an oven-safe skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken thighs and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they develop a light golden crust but are not fully cooked through. Remove chicken from heat; it will finish cooking in the oven.
- Make Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add finely chopped garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the flour and cook for an additional minute to form a roux, which will thicken the sauce. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth to avoid lumps, then pour in the heavy whipping cream. Continue to whisk as the sauce warms and thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Season: Once the sauce has thickened, stir in the finely grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, spooning some sauce over the top.
- Bake Chicken Thighs: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven, sprinkle finely chopped dill over the dish if using, and serve warm with your choice of sides for a festive meal.
Notes
- Use an oven-safe skillet to easily transition from stovetop to oven without transferring the chicken.
- You can substitute 21 Salute Seasoning with any poultry seasoning blend available.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, keeping in mind the sauce may be less rich.
- If you don’t have Parmesan cheese, Prieve cheese is an excellent alternative for a similar flavor profile.
- Ensure chicken thighs are thoroughly dried before seasoning for best browning results.
- Optional dill garnish adds a fresh herbal note, but can be omitted if preferred.
Keywords: creamy chicken thighs, baked chicken, Christmas chicken recipe, creamy Parmesan sauce, holiday chicken dish