Ingredients
– 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
– 1 teaspoon kosher salt
– 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
– 3 tablespoons salted butter (divided)
– 3 cloves minced garlic (or 1.5 teaspoons garlic paste)
– 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
– 1 cup heavy cream (room temperature)
– 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
– 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
– 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (plus more for garnish)
– 5 ounces baby spinach (one bag; arugula or kale can be substituted or skipped)
Instructions
1-Preheat oven to 400ยฐF (204ยฐC) to set the stage for baking the chicken.
2-Season chicken thighs with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1 teaspoon lemon pepper, then set aside for the flavors to settle.
3-Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and melt 2 tablespoons of salted butter.
4-Sear chicken skin-side down for 3-4 minutes until golden brown, then flip and sear the other side before removing from the skillet.
5-Add the remaining 1 tablespoon salted butter to the skillet and melt while deglazing the pan to build a flavorful base.
6-Add 3 cloves minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, to enhance the dish’s aroma.
7-Stir in 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves; bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and let it thicken for 5 minutes.
8-Stir in 5 ounces baby spinach, wilting the leaves slightly to add greens and nutrition.
9-Return chicken to the skillet and bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165-175ยฐF (74-79ยฐC).
10-Garnish with lemon slices and fresh thyme before serving with rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
๐ณ Use a cast iron or oven-safe skillet for the best heat distribution and easy oven transfer
๐ก Let chicken come to room temperature before cooking for more even doneness throughout
๐ Add fresh lemon zest at the end for an extra burst of bright citrus flavor
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-seared and baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 703
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 752
- Fat: 61
- Saturated Fat: 28
- Unsaturated Fat: 27
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 7
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 33
- Cholesterol: 258
