Skillet Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Thighs
This recipe for Skillet Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Thighs features tender, juicy chicken thighs cooked in a rich, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. It’s an easy one-pan meal packed with robust flavors and perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients:
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5–2 lbs)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (or oil from the sun-dried tomatoes jar)
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil), drained and sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or dry white wine)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions:
1. Sear the Chicken:
- Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the chicken thighs skin side down in the skillet. Sear for 5-7 minutes without moving, until the skin is crispy and golden brown.
- Flip the chicken and cook for another 5 minutes on the other side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. (It will finish cooking later in the sauce.)
2. Sauté the Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes:
- In the same skillet, add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Deglaze the Pan:
- Pour in the chicken broth (or white wine), scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced.
4. Make the Creamy Sauce:
- Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Allow the sauce to simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to thicken.
5. Return the Chicken:
- Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, skin side up, nestling them into the sauce. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and cook for 10-12 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature reaches 165°F).
6. Garnish and Serve:
- Once the chicken is done, remove the skillet from heat. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
- Serve the chicken thighs with the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce over pasta, rice, or with a side of crusty bread.
Tips:
- Crisp up the skin: After cooking, you can broil the chicken thighs in the oven for 2-3 minutes to get the skin extra crispy.
- Make it dairy-free: Swap out the heavy cream for coconut milk and the Parmesan for nutritional yeast for a dairy-free version.
- Add veggies: Stir in some spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking for extra greens.
Enjoy these Skillet Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Thighs for a delicious, hearty meal that’s full of flavor and easy to make in one pan!