Oven Baked Creamy Chicken Thighs (2024)

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Recipe Video

Crispy Baked Chicken thighs in a creamy parmesan sauce can be made in the oven from start to finish. Perfectly seasoned chicken thighs are juicy with crispy skin and with plenty of sauce to serve over mashed potatoes or toss some pasta.

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Look no further, this is going to be your favorite oven-baked Chicken Thigh recipe from here on. Perfectly seasoned chicken thighs, crispy skin, and a rich creamy sauce. Isn’t this what a perfect dinner is made up of? There is enough sauce to serve it over pasta, rice, or creamy mashed potatoes.

This is a one-pan recipe and completely hands-off. Start to finish happens right in the baking dish. Bone-in, with skin chicken thighs, are first seasoned with a basic spice mixture, then baked until nice and crispy. The flavourful cream sauce has the juice from the baked chicken, heavy whipping cream, and parmesan cheese.

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What ingredients do you need?

I do not go with fancy ingredients. Most of the time my recipes call for easily available pantry ingredients. This is no different. This is also a very versatile recipe when it comes to seasoning, so don’t panic if you don’t have an ingredient or two.

  • Chicken Thighs Bone-in and with Skin. Boneless Chicken thighs would work but the cooking time will vary. And no one wants to miss the Crispy Chicken skin, so please, try to use thighs with skin.
  • Seasoning– Dried herbs like Thyme, Oregano, Basil, and Parsley will work here. I have used thyme, rosemary, and parsley. You can also use mixed herbs or poultry seasoning instead.
  • Paprika, pepper, and salt– Paprika is optional, I like to use it for color and also for a smoky flavor. Season the thighs well with salt and pepper.
  • Chicken Stock
  • Dijon Mustard
  • Heavy Cream and Parmesan: for a creamy rich sauce.
  • Flour – to thicken the sauce. It also prevents the sauce from splitting.

Steps to make

Self-saucing baked chicken thighs is one of those effortless dinner recipes, that you will keep coming back to. Chicken thighs are baked slowly along with the sauce, keeping the chicken super moist and tender.

  1. The recipe begins with seasoning the chicken thighs with a simple spice mix made up of dried herbs, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Season chicken thighs on both sides.
  2. Place the seasoned chicken thighs along with some chicken stock and bake covered. It ensures the thighs are cooked and moist. All the pan juices from the chicken in the baking dish will be the base of the sauce.
  3. Making the parmesan cream sauce – Mix flour and heavy cream well before adding to the pan juice in the casserole. Avoid adding flour directly to the hot pan juices, as the flour will turn into small lumps and the sauce will no longer be smooth.
  4. Bake again uncovered until the chicken thighs are nicely brown and the sauce is creamy and thick.
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The Most Important Question, How long to bake the Chicken Thighs?

Thigh meat is very forgiving to cook. Unlike Chicken Breast, it doesn’t dry out if you cook it a little longer. It stays perfectly juicy and tender. Here are a few tips for perfectly baked Chicken thighs.

  • Size matters – Make sure the chicken thighs are more or less of similar size for even cooking time.
  • Bring thighs to room temperature before baking, for it to cook evenly.
  • For crispy skin – Pat them dry with a kitchen towel to soak as much moisture as possible. Moisture prevents the skin from crisping.
  • How long and at what temperature to bake the chicken thighs? It takes around 40-45 minutes to cook with crispy skin for the thighs. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees on a kitchen thermometer.

Other Chicken Thigh Recipes

  • Sweet and Spicy Boneless Chicken Thighs
  • One-Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice
  • Creamy Garlic Chicken Thighs
  • Street-style Chicken Shawarma
  • Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders

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Oven Baked Creamy Chicken Thighs (6)

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Baked Creamy Chicken Thighs

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Seasoned Chicken thigh baked in the oven until juicy with a crispy skin. The pan juice mixed with cream, parmesan cheese makes a rich sauce perfect to pour over the thighs.

Ingredients

  • 6-7 Chicken thighs bone-in and with skin
  • cup Chicken stock
  • ½ cup Heavy Cream
  • 1 tablespoon Flour
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
  • 1.5 teaspoon Dijon Mustard

For seasoning

  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (adjust per taste)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust per taste)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees Celcius)

  • Pat dry chicken thighs with a kitchen towel.

  • In a bowl add all the ingredients mentioned under seasoning. Sprinkle chicken thighs on both sides with the seasoning.

  • In a 9X13 baking dish, pour in the stock. Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs in a single layer.

  • Loosely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes.

  • Remove the pan from the oven and carefully remove the foil(mind the steam). Bast chicken thighs with the pan juice. (spoon some of the pan juices on the chicken). Remove chicken thighs from the baking pan to a plate.

  • Whisk together flour and heavy cream until smooth and no dry flour patch in there. Add it to the baking dish along with dijon mustard and grated parmesan. Mix well. ( The sauce will look thin but it will thicken up once done).

  • Place chicken thighs back into the baking dish. Bake uncovered for another 25-30 minutes or until the chicken thighs are cooked through.

  • Before serving give the sauce a good stir. Serve with mashed potatoes or pasta.

Video

Notes

  1. Make sure you use full-fat heavy whipping cream for a creamy sauce. . Low fat cream might curdle when heated.
  2. Avoid adding flour directly to the hot pan juice in the baking dish. The flour might form lumps and you will not get a smooth cream sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 594kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 226mg | Sodium: 975mg | Potassium: 458mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1146IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 202mg | Iron: 2mg

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Oven Baked Creamy Chicken Thighs (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to bake chicken thighs at 350 or 400? ›

Is it better to bake chicken thighs at 350 or 400? It is recommended to bake chicken thighs at 400ºF. This medium-high heat ensures the juiciest results! Chicken thighs should be roasted in the oven at 400ºF for 40-45 minutes, then broiled for 2 more minutes to get juicy meat and crispy skin!

What is the best temperature to bake chicken thighs? ›

Baking Temperature and Timing

While chicken thighs only need to be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees as read by a meat thermometer, I recommend you bake them until they reach 180 – 190 degrees. This takes 30-40 minutes at 400 degrees.

Should you cover chicken thighs when baking? ›

It really depends on the end result you want. I leave the skin on my chicken, and I like it crispy. Crispy skin is a result of dry cooking, like roasting/baking, grilling, or frying. Covering a chicken with foil will turn dry cooking into moist cooking - you're not really baking, anymore, you're braising.

At what temp are chicken thighs most tender? ›

For the ultimate juicy and tender chicken thigh experience, aim for an internal temp between 175 and 185 F. Any temperature higher than that can dry out or burn your meat, but the perfect 175° to 185° range will get you well above the minimum safe temperature and maximize the poultry's flavor potential.

How long to keep chicken thighs in oven at 400? ›

Keep in mind that boneless skinless chicken thighs will require about less time.
  1. Chicken Thighs at 350°F – 50-55 minutes.
  2. Chicken Thighs at 375°F – 45-50 minutes.
  3. Chicken Thighs at 400°F – 40-45 minutes.
  4. Chicken Thighs at 425°F – 35-40 minutes (preferred method)
Jan 10, 2024

How long does it take to cook chicken thighs at 350? ›

The USDA guidelines lists approximate cooking times of 40 to 50 minutes for 4-to-8-ounce chicken thighs roasted at 350 degrees. In our basic meal prep boneless chicken thighs recipe, they take about 25 to 30 minutes baked at 425 degrees F.

What is the best temperature and time to cook chicken thighs? ›

In an oven preheated to 375 degrees F, chicken thighs should be fully cooked after about half an hour. You'll know they're done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, reads 165 degrees F.

How long to cook chicken thigh at 400? ›

How long and at what temperature should you bake the thighs? You'll want to bake these at 400 degrees for 35-45 minutes without moving or turning them during the process. This temperature and time ensure that crispy outside and juicy inside we're looking for.

How long does it take to cook chicken thighs in the oven at 375? ›

Bake in the oven at 375°F for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. Here are a few ideas: Lemon and Garlic Chicken Thighs: Marinate chicken thighs in lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper for at least 30 minutes.

Should I wash chicken thighs before baking? ›

"Washing can spread germs from the chicken to other food or utensils in the kitchen." We didn't mean to get you all hot about not washing your chicken! But it's true: kill germs by cooking chicken thoroughly, not washing it. You shouldn't wash any poultry, meat, or eggs before cooking.

What cooking method is best for chicken thighs? ›

Chicken thighs are a perfect go-to for a hot grill (or grill pan!). Try a rub or marinade, or simply season with salt and pepper. Brush grill grates or grill pan with oil. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.

What happens if you don't cover chicken when baking? ›

Uncovered Baking: Crispy Texture and Browning

Here's why: Crispy texture. Uncovered baking allows the chicken to develop a crispy exterior. Without a cover, the heat can directly reach the surface of the chicken, resulting in a desirable golden-brown color and crispy texture.

Is it better to cook chicken thighs fast or slow? ›

The key is to cook them slowly.

Gentle techniques—such as braising at a relatively low heat and grilling over an indirect fire—work best. The goal is to keep the meat at an internal temp between 140 and 195 degrees—the collagen-breakdown sweet spot—for as long as possible.

How do you tell if chicken thighs are done without a thermometer? ›

Poke the Meat

This method applies to chicken specifically. For properly cooked chicken, if you cut into it and the juices run clear, then the chicken is fully cooked. If the juices are red or have a pinkish color, your chicken may need to be cooked a bit longer.

How do you know when chicken thighs are done? ›

The key is temperature, not color. If you have a meat thermometer, aim for 165-170°F (74-77°C), keeping in mind that meat will continue cooking for 5-10°F (3-6°C) once it's pulled and allowed to rest for 5 minutes.

Is 400 too high to bake chicken? ›

The best way to bake chicken breasts is the oven is at 400 F. Simply drizzle some olive oil in the bottom of your baking dish, season your skinless chicken breasts generously and add a pat of butter on top of each chicken breast.

Do chicken thighs get more tender the longer you cook them? ›

America's Test Kitchen also notes that dark meat like chicken thighs tends to have more connective tissue and collagen as well. While this might seem off-putting at first, it means that the longer and slower it's cooked, the more tender it becomes.

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