This Ina Garten Creamy Chicken Thighs With Lemon And Thyme Recipe is a creamy and tender recipe, which includes chicken thighs and lemon. It’s a restaurant-quality dish, ready in about 45 minutes.
Jump to RecipeIna Garten Creamy Chicken Thighs With Lemon And Thyme Ingredients
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken stock
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (or 1½ teaspoons dried)
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Optional garnish: lemon slices, fresh thyme sprigs

How To Make Ina Garten Creamy Chicken Thighs With Lemon And Thyme
- Season and sear the chicken: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. In a large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high. Sear chicken skin-side down for 5–6 minutes until golden. Flip and cook another 2–3 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- Sauté garlic and deglaze: Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds. Pour in white wine to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits.
- Build the sauce: Stir in chicken stock, heavy cream, thyme, and lemon zest. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Roast the chicken: Return seared chicken to the skillet, skin-side up. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and sauce thickens.
- Finish and serve: Remove from oven, stir in lemon juice, and adjust seasoning. Let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with lemon slices and thyme if desired.

Recipe Tips
- Can I use boneless thighs?: Yes, but reduce oven time slightly and monitor internal temp for doneness.
- How to avoid curdled cream: Use heavy cream and add it before baking—not boiling—helps prevent curdling.
- What’s the best white wine for this recipe?: A dry wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio works well.
- Can I make it ahead?: Yes, prepare through the sauce step, refrigerate, and finish in the oven before serving.
- How do I make it dairy-free?: Substitute coconut cream and plant-based butter if needed.
What To Serve With Creamy Chicken Thighs
This savory chicken dish pairs well with:
- Mashed potatoes or creamy polenta
- Roasted green beans or asparagus
- Crusty bread or garlic knots
- Lemon herb rice or couscous
- A light green salad with vinaigrette

How To Store Creamy Chicken Thighs
Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Gently reheat in a skillet over low heat or in a 325°F oven until warmed through.
Freeze: Not recommended due to the cream sauce possibly separating upon thawing.
Creamy Chicken Thighs Nutrition Facts
- Calories: ~480 per serving
- Protein: ~28g
- Carbohydrates: ~5g
- Fat: ~36g
- Saturated Fat: ~16g
- Sodium: ~480mg
- Cholesterol: ~140mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, adjust cooking time as breasts may cook faster and can dry out more easily.
Can I skip the wine?
Yes, use more chicken stock with a splash of lemon juice instead.
Is this dish keto-friendly?
Yes, it’s low in carbs and high in fat, making it suitable for keto diets.
Why sear the chicken first?
Searing locks in flavor and gives the skin a crispy, golden texture.
Try More Recipes:
- Ina Garten Spatchcock Chicken Recipe
- Barefoot Contessa Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe
- Ina Garten Summer Garden Pasta Recipe
Ina Garten Creamy Chicken Thighs With Lemon And Thyme Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes35
minutes480
kcalJuicy, seared chicken thighs baked in a lemon-thyme cream sauce for a rich and satisfying one-pan meal.
Ingredients
-
6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
-
Salt and pepper
-
1 Tbsp olive oil
-
1 Tbsp butter
-
4 garlic cloves, minced
-
1/2 cup dry white wine
-
3/4 cup chicken stock
-
3/4 cup heavy cream
-
1 Tbsp chopped thyme
-
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
-
Optional: lemon slices, thyme sprigs
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Season and sear chicken until golden.
- Sauté garlic; deglaze with wine.
- Add stock, cream, thyme, and zest. Simmer.
- Return chicken to skillet. Roast 20–25 minutes.
- Stir in lemon juice. Rest, garnish, and serve.
