Cozy Evening Keto Chicken Skillet (Printable)
Tender chicken thighs with creamy garlic sauce, mushrooms, and spinach simmered to perfection.
# List of ingredients:
→ Protein
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
→ Vegetables
02 - 7 ounces cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
03 - 3.5 ounces baby spinach
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
→ Sauce
06 - ½ cup heavy cream
07 - ¼ cup chicken broth
08 - 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
09 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Fats & Seasonings
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1 tablespoon butter
12 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
13 - ½ teaspoon paprika
14 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
15 - Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Pat chicken thighs dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.
02 - Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs and sear 4–5 minutes per side until golden and mostly cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add onion and garlic; sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Add sliced mushrooms and cook until softened and browned, about 5 minutes.
04 - Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in heavy cream, chicken broth, cream cheese, and Parmesan. Whisk until smooth and bubbling.
05 - Add baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
06 - Return chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them in the sauce. Simmer gently for 5–7 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one skillet, which means your evening isn't spent scrubbing pans.
- The sauce is rich and silky without any of the guilt, and it's naturally keto-friendly.
- Chicken thighs stay juicy and forgiving, so you don't have to watch the clock obsessively.
02 -
- Drying the chicken thoroughly before searing is the difference between a proper crust and steamed chicken; if it's wet, it won't brown properly.
- Don't skip the browning step for the mushrooms—rushing this means you'll miss out on the caramelization that makes the sauce taste restaurant-quality.
- Add the cream cheese when the heat is low; high heat can cause it to break and turn grainy instead of silky.
03 -
- Soften your cream cheese at room temperature for 10 minutes before adding it; cold cream cheese lumps up and won't integrate smoothly.
- Don't be shy with salt in the sauce—cream dishes need more seasoning than you'd instinctively add, and tasting as you go is your best guide.