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Low Carb Dinner: Chicken Thighs with Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe

Name: Low Carb Dinner: Chicken Thighs with Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 220 g
Ingredients: bone-in skin-on chicken thighs 2 lbs; heavy cream 1 cup; chicken broth 0.5 cup; fresh baby spinach 2 cups; Parmesan cheese, grated 0.25 cup; garlic cloves, minced 6 cloves; olive oil 2 tbsp; unsalted butter 2 tbsp; kosher salt 1 tsp; black pepper 0.5 tsp; dried thyme 0.5 tsp

Chicken thighs in a creamy garlic pan sauce — rich, keto-friendly, and made in one skillet. This low carb dinner is what comfort food looks like without the carbs.

Cook 35 min Difficulty NORMAL 410 kcal

#low carb #keto #high protein #diabetic friendly

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Ingredients

Main ingredients

bone-in skin-on chicken thighs 2 lbs
heavy cream 1 cup
chicken broth 0.5 cup
fresh baby spinach 2 cups
Parmesan cheese, grated 0.25 cup

Seasonings/Sauce

garlic cloves, minced 6 cloves
olive oil 2 tbsp
unsalted butter 2 tbsp
kosher salt 1 tsp
black pepper 0.5 tsp
dried thyme 0.5 tsp

Nutrition summary

Carbohydrates 7 g 7%

Protein 32 g 31%

Fat 28 g 62%

Serving size 220g

Cooking steps

1

Pat chicken thighs dry and season both sides evenly with kosher salt, black pepper, and dried thyme.
2

Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When butter is foaming, add chicken thighs skin side down. Sear 5–7 minutes until skin is deeply golden; flip and cook another 4 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate but keep skillet and drippings.
3

Lower to medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté in the pan drippings about 1 minute, until fragrant but not browned.
4

Pour in chicken broth, scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon to deglaze. Simmer 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly, then stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Bring to a gentle simmer (do not boil), stirring to melt cheese for a smooth sauce.
5

Return the chicken thighs (skin side up) and juices to the skillet; spoon some sauce over. Simmer uncovered on low heat for 12–15 minutes, until chicken is cooked through (internal temp 175°F/80°C) and sauce thickens.
6

Add fresh spinach and stir gently into the sauce until just wilted, 1–2 minutes. Serve chicken thighs topped with plenty of creamy garlic sauce.

Personalized Q&A

Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?

Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are the main ingredient providing juicy flavor and richness. The combination with heavy cream and plenty of minced garlic creates the signature creamy garlic sauce that makes this dish stand out, delivering both texture and robust taste.

Q. How should I handle the heat for perfectly cooked chicken thighs?

Start by searing the chicken thighs on medium-high heat to crisp and brown the skin, then finish simmering them gently in the cream sauce over low heat. This two-step method ensures crispy skin and that the meat stays moist and fully cooked through to an internal temperature of 175°F, without the sauce boiling or reducing too much.

Q. How can I avoid curdling or splitting the cream sauce?

Keep the heat at a gentle simmer and never let the sauce come to a full boil once you add the heavy cream and cheese. Stir regularly and add spinach at the end to prevent overcooking the sauce. This will give you a silky, cohesive sauce without breaking.

Q. What is the nutrition breakdown per serving?

Each serving (220g) provides roughly 410 kcal, with 7g carbohydrates (7% of calories), 32g protein (31%), and 28g fat (62%). This makes the dish truly low in carbs and high in both protein and fat.

Q. Is this recipe suitable for a keto or diabetic-friendly diet?

Yes. With only 7g net carbs per serving and 62% of calories from fat, this creamy garlic chicken is keto-friendly and the moderate carb content also aligns with many diabetic meal plans, assuming individual carb limits are observed.

Low Carb Dinner: Chicken Thighs with Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe

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