Sautéed Chicken Thighs with Avocado Cream

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs smothered in a rich avocado and herb cream sauce, perfect for a satisfying keto dinner. This american-inspired keto (low-carb) ready in about 30 minutes pairs chicken thighs, avocado oil, finely diced shallot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 2, 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 American cuisine 520 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season evenly with 1/4 tsp sea salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 6-7 minutes until golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook for another 5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken and set aside. Add diced shallot to the same skillet and sauté for 2 minutes until softened but not browned. Stir in diced avocado and heavy cream, then simmer gently for 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Step 4: Return chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Add chopped thyme and cook for 2 more minutes until chicken is heated through and sauce is glossy.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Chicken Thighs with Avocado Cream take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Sautéed Chicken Thighs with Avocado Cream?

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 chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken Thighs with Avocado Cream?

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 Sautéed Chicken Thighs with Avocado Cream for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Sautéed Chicken Thighs with Avocado Cream low-carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying