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Creamy Keto Garlic Chicken Recipe Easy Tender Crispy Edges

creamy keto garlic chicken - featured image

A quick and easy keto-friendly chicken dish featuring tender thighs with crispy golden edges, simmered in a rich and creamy garlic sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 700 g)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 45 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • ½ cup chicken broth (120 ml)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (25 g), optional
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • A handful fresh parsley, chopped
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and black pepper on both sides.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of oil. Wait until the oil shimmers but isn’t smoking.
  3. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the pan without touching. Press gently with tongs to ensure even contact. Cook undisturbed for 6-7 minutes until skin is deep golden and crispy.
  4. Flip the chicken and cook the other side for 4-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches about 150°F (65°C). Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
  5. Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  6. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine with garlic butter. Add dried Italian herbs and Parmesan cheese if using. Let sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  7. Return chicken to the pan, skin-side up, nestling it in the sauce. Spoon sauce over chicken and reduce heat to low. Cover loosely and simmer for 5-7 minutes until chicken is cooked through (165°F / 74°C) and sauce is creamy.
  8. Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top.
  9. Serve immediately with keto-friendly sides like roasted broccoli or cauliflower rice.

Notes

Pat chicken dry thoroughly for crispy skin. Control heat carefully to avoid burning garlic. Do not overcrowd pan when searing. If sauce is too thin, simmer longer without chicken; if too thick, add more broth. Rest chicken briefly after cooking but serve soon to keep skin crispy. Dairy-free substitutions include coconut milk, coconut oil, and nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: keto, garlic chicken, creamy chicken, low carb, keto dinner, crispy chicken, easy recipe