Description
Whip up a comforting Classic Chicken Dinner Recipe with a creamy pan sauce. Mama Tessa’s easy skillet method means delicious weeknight meals without the fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Flavor Boosters:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Creamy Sauce Essentials:
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Finishing Touches:
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prep & Sear the Chicken: First things first, pat those chicken thighs super dry with paper towels. This is crucial, trust me! I used to skip this step and wonder why my chicken never got that beautiful golden crust. Sprinkle ’em generously with salt and pepper, maybe a little garlic powder if you’re feeling wild. Heat that olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. You want it shimmering, a little smoky almost. Lay the chicken in, presentation side down, without crowding the pan, or it’ll steam, not sear! I’ve done that, and it’s a sad sight, honestly.
- Flip and Finish Cooking the Chicken: Let those beauties sear for about 5-7 minutes without touching them. This is where the patience comes in, and honestly, I always want to peek! Flip ’em over. They should be golden brown and crispy, making your kitchen smell absolutely divine. Now, cook the other side for another 5-7 minutes, until they’re cooked through. This is your Classic Chicken Dinner Recipe starting to take shape! If you’re unsure, a thermometer should read 165°F (74°C). I once undercooked chicken, had to put it back in, and it dried out. Not ideal, but we learn, right?
- Let the Chicken Rest: Take the chicken out of the skillet and put it on a plate. Cover it loosely with foil. Let it rest! This is a step I used to skip, thinking ‘who has time?’ but it makes a world of difference. The juices redistribute, keeping the chicken tender and moist. While it rests, we’re going to build that incredible pan sauce. You’ll see, this Classic Chicken Dinner Recipe is all about layering flavor and giving things their proper time to shine!
- Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add a tiny bit more olive oil to the skillet if it looks dry. Toss in your minced garlic. Oh, that smell! It’s one of my favorite kitchen scents. Sauté it for just about a minute, until it’s fragrant but not browned. Burnt garlic is a culinary tragedy, hon, and it can really throw off the taste of this Classic Chicken Dinner Recipe. Keep a close eye on it – it cooks fast!
- Build the Creamy Pan Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the garlic and whisk it in for about a minute. This creates a roux, thickening the sauce. Slowly, pour in the chicken broth, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. I once poured it all in at once, and it was a lumpy mess! Bring it to a gentle simmer, then stir in the heavy cream. Let it bubble gently for a few minutes until it thickens to your liking. Taste it! Add more salt or pepper if needed. This creamy sauce is what makes this Classic Chicken Dinner Recipe sing!
- Combine & Serve Your Classic Chicken Dinner Recipe: Return the rested chicken to the skillet, nestling it into that gorgeous sauce. Let it warm through for a minute or two, absorbing all those delicious flavors. Garnish generously with fresh parsley. The bright green pop against the creamy sauce is just beautiful, don’t you think? Serve immediately with your favorite sides. I love it with mashed potatoes – that sauce just begs to be soaked up! Honestly, this is one of those dishes that feels fancy but is so ridiculously simple. You got this!