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A skillet of creamy Mediterranean chicken thighs garnished with fresh thyme

One Skillet Creamy Mediterranean Chicken Thighs

Byron
Succulent juicy chicken thighs are first generously seasoned and then cooked golden brown then simmered in a rich and creamy sauce with lots of garlic, onion, and a few sweet cherry tomatoes for some tang and color. For flavor and spice, we use some Spanish sweet paprika, a few dollops of a mild chili paste, and a few sprigs of fresh thyme.
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Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Course Chicken, dinner, Main Course, meat
Cuisine American, French, Italian, Mediterranean, Spanish
Servings 4 Main
Calories 317 kcal

Equipment

  • Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet
  • Chef Knife
  • Wooden Cutting Board
  • Cooking tongs
  • Meat thermometer (optional)

Ingredients
  

  • 4 medium skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 Tbsp sweet paprika we ❤️ Spanish La Vera Sweet Paprika
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp Ground White Pepper
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil we always use Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 tsp fresh chopped parsley or Fresh thyme - optional
  • 1 small onion diced fine
  • 4 clove garlic sliced fine
  • Handful of cherry tomatoes halved
  • ½ cup Chicken Stock
  • 1-2 tsp Chili paste Mild (or Chili pepper flakes)
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 2 sprigs of fresh thyme plus more for garnish
  • Salt to taste

Instructions
 

Step 1 - Season chicken

  • Add the chicken, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to a large bowl and give everything a mix until the chicken is evenly seasoned.
    4 medium skinless chicken thighs, 1 tsp Salt, 1 Tbsp sweet paprika, 1 tsp Garlic Powder, 1 tsp Ground White Pepper, 1 lemon, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp fresh chopped parsley

Step 2 - Brown chicken thighs

  • On medium-high heat, add a splash of oil to a large skillet, and once hot, add the chicken thighs. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side or until the chicken starts to brown.
  • Note: if using boneless chicken thighs, reduce cooking time. If using larger chicken thighs, add more time. Once the chicken is cooked and browned evenly on all sides, remove from the skillet and set aside on a plate.

Step 3 - Saute the onion, garlic, tomatoes and herbs

  • Add a splash more oil to the pan give the bottom a scrape to bring up the flavoring left from the chicken.
    1 small onion
  • Add the diced onion and saute until golden (around 3-4 minutes), then add the garlic and cook until fragrant.
    4 clove garlic
  • Add the halved tomatoes and allow to cook for a few minutes.
    Handful of cherry tomatoes
  • Add the chicken stock, chili paste and stir through, then add a few fresh thyme sprigs (save some for garnish later).
    ½ cup Chicken Stock, 2 sprigs of fresh thyme, 1-2 tsp Chili paste
  • Reduce heat and leave to simmer for 3-4 minutes, then add the cream and stir through until you get an even sauce.
    ½ cup heavy cream
  • Check seasoning and adjust to taste.
    Salt

Step 4 - Add chicken to sauce

  • Reduce heat to a low simmer, add the cooked chicken thighs back to the skillet, and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes, drizzling the sauce over the chicken as you go.

Step 5 - Garnish and Serve

  • Season to taste and serve straight from the skillet and garnish with a few sprigs of fresh thyme.
  • This recipe is fantastic when served alongside some creamy mashed potatoes, steamed rice, or some fresh crusty bread.

Video

Notes

Cooking Tips and FAQs:

Skinless chicken thighs
We love cooking chicken thighs and we chose to use skinless for this recipe as it is a (slightly) healthier option compared to skin-on chicken thighs. Check the full nutrition facts information at the bottom of the recipe article. 
Can Chicken Breast be used instead?
Yes, absolutely. Chicken breast meat can be used for this recipe and should be cut into 1-inch (2.5cm)  strips, then browned on all sides. This should take around 5-6 minutes per side. Use a meat thermometer to check the chicken is done. It will reach an internal temperature of 74°C/165°F.
Versatile ingredients
This quick and easy recipe is ideal as it uses a few simple ingredients to create a flavorful and mouthwatering chicken dinner option. When it comes to veg, we used a white onion, but you could swap it out for red onion, shallots, or omit the onion altogether. We love garlic and used 4 large cloves for this recipe, but of course, you can adjust the amount of garlic used to suit your own taste. 
Fresh herbs
We use a few sprigs of fresh thyme for this recipe, but if you prefer, use dried thyme. Remember, dried herbs are typically more concentrated in flavor so you’ll only need around half a teaspoon of dried thyme.
Keyword 30-minute meal, baked chicken, Chicken, Chicken thighs, Creamy, creamy sauce, Mediterranean chicken, one pan, one pan chicken, one pan recipe, sauces, skillet, skillet chicken thighs, Thyme