Name: Creamy Smothered Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 70 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb bone-in chicken thighs; 2 tsp granulated garlic; 1 tsp paprika; 1 tsp oregano; 1/4 tsp chili powder; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 small onion; 2 garlic cloves; 2 cups chicken broth; 1/2 cup heavy cream; pinch of red crushed pepper; 2 tbsp butter; salt and pepper to taste; oil (for frying); parsley (for garnish)

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Creamy Smothered Chicken Thighs are the perfect dinner for a chilly night! They’re full of flavor and super easy to make!

These Creamy Smothered Chicken Thighs are so savory and delicious you’ll definitely want a second helping! If you’re a fan of homemade meals and soul food then you’re going to love this recipe! I love making chicken thigh recipes like my Honey Lime Chicken Thighs, and this creamy smothered chicken recipe is equally flavorful.

This recipe was inspired by my Smothered Pork Chops video on my Youtube channel, and I knew I just had to add the version made with chicken thighs to my site.

The sauce is super creamy but it mostly consists of chicken broth. This isn’t a quick meal; it cooks for about an hour but let’s face it, meals cooked long and slow are the best!

Ingredients you’ll need for creamy smothered chicken thighs:

Bone-in Chicken Thighs
Granulated Garlic
Paprika
Oregano
Chili Powder
All-purpose Flour
Onion
Garlic
Chicken Broth
Heavy Cream
Red Crushed Pepper (optional)
Butter
Oil
Salt and Pepper

How to make creamy smothered chicken thighs

It’s incredibly easy to make these delicious juicy smothered chicken thighs, here’s all you have to do:

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.
Season the chicken with the spices on both sides and under the skin as well. You will have some spices leftover. You can add them to the all-purpose flour for even more flavor. Coat the chicken with the seasoned flour on both sides.
Cook the chicken in a hot skillet with oil over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate or lined baking sheet. Add the onions to the skillet and cook until translucent. Stir in the fresh garlic and red crushed pepper and cook for 20 seconds. Season with salt and pepper.
To make the sauce, add the butter and 1 tbsp of the seasoned all-purpose flour to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes to make a roux. Add the chicken broth and cook for 2-3 minutes while whisking constantly. Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper.
Place the chicken back in the skillet. Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 1 hour or until the chicken is fully cooked through.

What should I serve with chicken?

A savory chicken dish is super versatile. To make a delicious and complete meal, serve with any combination of these:

Fluffy White Rice
Cauliflower Rice
Brown Rice
Steamed or Roasted Vegetables
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
A side salad

Can I use chicken breasts or chicken legs instead?

Absolutely! All you have to do is adjust the cooking time but keep the recipe exactly the same. If you decide to use chicken breasts, serve this with some pasta! It’s so good.

Keep in mind that boneless chicken breasts cook a lot quicker than bone-in chicken thighs. Reduce the cooking time accordingly so that you don’t end up with dry chicken breasts.

Can pork be substituted for chicken?

Of course! You can definitely make smothered pork chops if you don’t want to use chicken thighs.

You can also make smothered steak or smothered turkey wings if you’d like as well.

How to Make Low Carb Cream Sauce for Chicken

If you’re on a low carb diet you can omit the seasoned flour. Just remember that the sauce won’t be as thick.

My Creamy Baked Chicken Legs recipe is low carb and keto-friendly, and tastes just as good!

Tips for Making Smothered Chicken:

Use a thermometer. Every oven is different, so your chicken may cook quicker or may take longer to cook than mine did. The safe internal temperature for chicken is 165 F. The juices should always run clear.
Make sure the chicken is at room temperature before cooking.
Pat any moisture off of the chicken with paper towels before cooking. This will help to get a crisp sear on the chicken thighs.
Add mushrooms and spinach if you’d like to incorporate some veggies.

More Chicken Recipes You’ll Enjoy: