Baked Herb-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic Cream Sauce
Juicy chicken thighs baked with an herbed crust and served with a luscious garlic cream sauce, perfect for a low-carb dinner. This american-inspired keto (keto, low carb) ready in about 40 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 6 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, combine 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp dried rosemary, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1 tsp garlic powder. Rub this herb mixture evenly over 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook for 3 more minutes.
- Step 3: Transfer skillet to the oven and bake chicken for 20 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
- Step 4: Remove chicken from skillet and tent with foil to rest. Place skillet back on stove over medium heat, add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 6: Serve chicken thighs drizzled with garlic cream sauce and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Herb-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic Cream Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Herb-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic Cream Sauce?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Herb-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic Cream Sauce?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Herb-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic Cream Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Baked Herb-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic Cream Sauce keto?
Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
