Description
Succulent keto smothered chicken thighs deliver rich, creamy comfort without guilt, melding Southern charm with low-carb precision. Cheesy, herb-infused sauce elevates simple chicken into a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Liberally coat chicken thighs with salt and pepper, ensuring even seasoning across all surfaces.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (375°F). Place chicken thighs skin-side down, searing for 7-8 minutes until skin transforms into a golden, crispy texture.
- Flip chicken thighs and cook reverse side for 5-6 minutes. Transfer chicken to a separate plate, maintaining its juicy interior.
- Without cleaning the skillet, sauté chopped onions until translucent and softened, approximately 4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, releasing aromatic flavors throughout the pan.
- Deglaze the skillet by pouring chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping accumulated browned bits from the bottom to enhance sauce depth.
- Bring liquid mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Incorporate Parmesan cheese and butter, stirring continuously until sauce thickens and becomes velvety, about 3 minutes.
- Carefully return chicken thighs to the skillet, gently coating them with the rich, creamy sauce.
- Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, ensuring chicken reaches complete internal doneness.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Crisp Skin Trick: Pat chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels before seasoning to ensure maximum crispiness and beautiful golden-brown exterior.
- Fat Content Matters: Choose chicken thighs with skin-on and some visible fat for richer flavor and better keto macronutrient profile.
- Sauce Thickness Control: If sauce becomes too thick, gradually add small amounts of chicken broth to achieve desired consistency without losing creamy texture.
- Low-Carb Adaptability: Replace heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream for dairy-free version while maintaining ketogenic requirements.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-34 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 150mg