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CREAMY LEMON GARLIC CHICKEN THIGHS centered hero view, clean and uncluttered
Joe Rooney

Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs Easy Weeknight Dinner

Enjoy this Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs recipe, a perfect easy dinner and weeknight meal that makes a flavorful family dinner. This lemon garlic chicken with a rich creamy sauce is sure to be a hit for any occasion.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 bone-in & skin-on chicken thighs, excess skin removed
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 10–12 cloves of garlic
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • ¼ cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
  • ¼ cup nonpareil capers

Method
 

  1. Pat chicken dry and place in a large bowl or resealable bag.
  2. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, and dried parsley to the chicken, then massage the spices until fully coated.
  3. Cover and refrigerate the chicken to marinate for at least an hour or overnight.
  4. Heat butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  5. Add chicken thighs skin-side down in batches, letting them brown without moving for 3-4 minutes.
  6. Flip and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes, then transfer browned chicken to a plate.
  7. Repeat with remaining chicken thighs.
  8. Add garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté, stirring often, until they soften and turn golden, about 2-3 minutes.
  9. Pour chicken broth into the skillet to deglaze, scraping the browned bits from the bottom, and simmer for 1-2 minutes.
  10. Stir in heavy cream and lemon juice, bringing the sauce to a gentle boil while stirring occasionally.
  11. Mix in capers, then return the chicken thighs to the skillet, spooning sauce over them.
  12. Lower the heat to medium-low and cook the chicken in the sauce for 15-20 minutes until sauce thickens and chicken reaches 165°F internally.
  13. Serve the chicken topped with creamy lemon garlic caper sauce alongside your favorite sides and enjoy!

Notes

  • For best flavor, marinate chicken overnight. Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles to soak up the delicious sauce. Use a thermometer to ensure chicken is safely cooked to 165°F.