Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 – Season Chicken

• Add the chicken thighs to a large bowl and season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, white pepper, and salt to taste. 
• Add the juice from 1 lemon and around 1 tbsp of olive oil. Mix by hand to ensure you cover the chicken evenly with the seasoning. 

Step 2 – Brown Chicken

• Add a splash of oil to a skillet on medium-high heat and cook chicken for 4-5 minutes per side or until the chicken starts to brown. Once done, set aside on a plate for use later. 
• Note: The chicken should be mostly cooked, but if using larger chicken thighs, adjust cooking time accordingly. 

Step 3 – Sauté Veg

• In the same skillet used to cook the chicken, reduce the heat to medium and add a splash of water. 
• Give the base a scrape with a wooden spatula to release some of the flavor stuck to the bottom of the pan. 
• Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes or until golden, then add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant (around 1 minute).

Step 4 – Add Chicken Broth and Heavy Cream

• With the heat on a simmer, add the chicken broth and heavy cream along with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. 
• Give everything a gentle stir, and once the liquid is bubbling with a light simmer, add the chicken thighs back to the skillet. 
• Add a few sprigs of rosemary around the chicken and leave to simmer for around 20 minutes. 
• Check the chicken is cooked through by using a meat thermometer and checking the internal temperature of the chicken thighs has reached 165°F / 74°C.

Step 5 – Garnish and Serve

• Garnish with a dash of smoked paprika for some extra flavor and color. Optionally, add a little freshly chopped parsley and some salt and pepper to taste. 
• Serve straight from the skillet alongside some steamed white rice or fresh bread to mop up the delicious sauce. 

Cooking tips: 

⚠️I used small chicken thighs around 2 inches thick. If using larger thighs, adjust the cooking time accordingly and use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F (74 °C). 

🐔Skin-on chicken thighs also work great. If you want an extra crispy skin, add the skillet to the broiler (grill) for around 3-4 minutes at the end of the cooking. 

🥛This recipe uses heavy cream, and the sauce is quite thick. If you prefer a thinner consistency, we suggest using coconut milk or diluting the cream with more chicken broth. 

🗒️🧂Use low-sodium chicken broth/stock whenever possible, or make your own! Here’s our easy homemade chicken stock recipe.

Quick & Easy Creamy Chicken Thighs Recipe

What’s not to love about this recipe? Tender, juicy, and golden chicken thighs that are simmered in a rich and creamy sauce with just a hint of garlic and smoked paprika. This is comfort food at its finest.

As the name suggests, it is super easy to make with very minimal prep work (cut an onion and crush some garlic). It’s also great as it comes together in around 30 minutes in one skillet, making it a perfect option for those busy weeknight dinners or when you’re short on time. 

Best cut of chicken to use

I love cooking with chicken thighs as they have plenty of flavor and don’t dry out while cooked in a skillet or in the oven. I opted for skinless bone-in chicken thighs as they are (only slightly) healthier and lower in fat compared to skin-on thighs. 

Skin-on chicken thighs will also work great as will boneless chicken thighs. If using a boneless cut of chicken, adjust cooking time to suit (boneless chicken takes less time to cook). This recipe could also be made using chicken breast meat. If using chicken breast meat, cut it into one-inch-thick strips. 

Serving Suggestions

I suggest serving creamy chicken thighs alongside some steamed white rice, or with some mashed potatoes and steamed greens. There’s plenty of sauce so some fresh bread is also a good option. 

For a balanced meal, serve it with some steamed veg or green and your favorite grain of choice.

Is this recipe healthy? 

At 425 kcal per serving, this recipe is moderately healthy. Of course, as the name suggests, there’s plenty of heavy cream with a high fat content, contributing 30 grams or 38% of your suggested Daily intake of fats. This recipe also has a high level of cholesterol, contributing half of your suggested daily intake. 

Olive oil also contributes to the fat content, but using a good quality extra virgin olive oil has numerous health benefits. 

Health Assessment

✅ Pros:

• High in protein (30g/serving)
• Rich in flavor without needing a lot of sodium
• Contains heart-healthy fats from olive oil

⚠️ Precautions:

• High in saturated fat due to heavy cream — could be reduced with half-and-half or Greek yogurt.
• Moderate sodium — still better than high-sodium sauces or seasoning blends.
• High in cholesterol

Nutrition facts

Per Serving (1 of 4)

🔍 Ingredient Contribution Breakdown

• Chicken Thighs (skinless, bone-in): Main source of protein, iron, fat, and calories.
• Heavy Cream (1 cup): Major source of saturated fat and calories.
• Olive Oil: Adds monounsaturated fats.
• Herbs/spices: Minimal calories, but beneficial antioxidants and flavor.
• Onion and garlic: Add small amounts of fiber and vitamin C.
• Lemon juice: Adds acidity and small vitamin C.
• Low-sodium broth: Adds flavor with minimal sodium.

More Chicken Recipes:

• Spanish Chicken in a Spicy Bravas Sauce
• Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs – 
• Spanish Chicken with Chorizo & Wine
• Baked Mediterranean Chicken Thighs
• Pollo al Horno (Spanish-Style Roast chicken with Sherry)
• Roast chicken thighs with red wine, tomato, and herbs
• Spanish Chicken Chilindrón – Pollo al Chilindrón 
• Chicken Marbella

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