Creamy Garlic Chicken Thighs with Spinach – Easy Weeknight Dinner Idea

Hi there, food lover! 👋 Ready to bring comforting flavors and timeless home cooking into your kitchen tonight?

There’s something deeply satisfying about a dish that feels both rustic and elegant—one that fills the kitchen with the aroma of garlic sizzling gently in a pan and promises warmth with every bite. Creamy Garlic Chicken Thighs with Spinach is exactly that kind of meal. Rooted in classic home-style cooking, this recipe brings together tender chicken thighs, a velvety garlic cream sauce, and vibrant spinach for balance and freshness.

This is the kind of dish many of us grew up with or wish we had—a skillet meal made with care, patience, and love. Chicken thighs were often chosen in traditional kitchens because they stay juicy and flavorful, even after simmering. Garlic, of course, has long been a cornerstone of comforting cooking across cultures, valued not only for its bold taste but also for its nourishing qualities. When combined with cream and gently wilted spinach, the result is a sauce that’s rich without being heavy, indulgent yet simple.

Perfect for busy weeknights yet special enough for a cozy family dinner, this recipe doesn’t require fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients. Just honest food, prepared with intention. Serve it with crusty bread, rice, or mashed potatoes, and you’ll have a meal that feels like a warm hug at the end of the day. Let’s cook together and celebrate the beauty of simple, traditional flavors.

Ingredients 🧺

For the Chicken:

• 6 bone-in or boneless chicken thighs (skin-on for extra flavor)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Creamy Garlic Sauce:

• 1 tbsp butter
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional, but traditional and lovely)

For the Greens:

• 4–5 cups fresh spinach leaves
• Extra black pepper, to taste

Step-by-Step Directions 👩‍🍳

1. Season the chicken well. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Season generously on both sides with salt, black pepper, paprika, and thyme. This step builds the foundation of flavor.
2. Sear to golden perfection. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 5–7 minutes until deeply golden. Flip and cook another 4–5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
3. Build the sauce base. Lower the heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet, allowing it to melt into the pan juices. Stir in minced garlic and sauté gently for about 30 seconds until fragrant—do not brown.
4. Create the creamy sauce. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up all the flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the cream, Parmesan, and nutmeg. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. Bring it all together. Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Simmer for 8–10 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
6. Add the spinach. Scatter spinach over the skillet and gently fold it into the sauce. It will wilt beautifully in just 1–2 minutes.
7. Taste and adjust. Check seasoning, adding salt or pepper if needed. Serve hot, spooning plenty of sauce over the chicken.

Nutritional Information 🥗

This dish offers a comforting balance of protein, healthy fats, and greens. Chicken thighs provide rich flavor and iron, while spinach contributes vitamins A and C, plus fiber. Cream and Parmesan add indulgence—best enjoyed mindfully as part of a balanced meal.

⏰ Prep Time: 10 minutes
🔥 Cooking Time: 25 minutes
⏳ Total Time: 35 minutes
⚡ Calories per serving: ~420
🍽️ Servings: 4

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Bon appétit and happy cooking!