Garlic Butter Keto Chicken Thighs with Creamy Spinach

Name: Garlic Butter Keto Chicken Thighs with Creamy Spinach
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs; 1 tbsp olive oil; 3 tbsp unsalted butter; 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced; 1/2 cup chicken broth; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese; 4 cups baby spinach; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp lemon juice

Seared chicken thighs in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce with wilted spinach, served in a cast iron skillet. — Photo by Piotr Arnoldes on Pexels

Searing the chicken first builds a browned crust and leaves flavorful fond in the pan, which becomes the base for a quick cream sauce, so there's no separate sauce-building step and only one pan to clean. Using heavy cream and parmesan instead of flour keeps the sauce thick without any carb-heavy thickener.

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 25 min
Total: 35 min
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Servings4

1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
4 cups baby spinach
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp lemon juice

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 640
Protein: 31g
Carbs: 5g
Fat: 56g

Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.

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Instructions

1Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
2Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs for 5-6 minutes per side, until deeply browned and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Transfer to a plate and tent loosely with foil.USDA safe minimum for poultry: 165°F (74°C)
3Reduce heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet and let it melt, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
4Add the minced garlic and cook for 30-45 seconds, until fragrant but not browned.
5Pour in the chicken broth and simmer for 1-2 minutes to reduce slightly.
6Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Whisk in the parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and coats the back of a spoon, about 2-3 minutes.
7Add the spinach a handful at a time, stirring until wilted, about 2 minutes.
8Return the chicken thighs and any accumulated juices to the skillet, spoon the sauce over the top, and simmer for 3-4 minutes to heat through. Stir in the lemon juice just before serving.

How to Use a Meat Thermometer

Tips & variations

Bone-in, skin-on thighs work too; sear skin-side down first and add 8-10 minutes to the total cook time to render the skin and cook through.
Sliced mushrooms sautéed with the garlic add earthiness and bulk without adding meaningful carbs.
For a dairy-light version, swap the heavy cream for full-fat coconut milk and skip the parmesan; the sauce will be thinner but still rich.
A splash of dry white wine added with the broth deepens the sauce, but omit it for a strict keto or alcohol-free version.

Storage & reheating

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a covered skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally; microwaving on high or reheating too fast can cause the cream sauce to separate. This dish doesn't freeze well since the sauce tends to break upon thawing.

Tips from the Tulo kitchen

Letting the seared chicken rest on a plate while the sauce comes together keeps it from overcooking and gives the juices time to redistribute.
If the sauce looks too thin after adding the spinach, simmer uncovered for another minute or two; it will thicken further as it cools slightly.

FAQ

How many net carbs does this recipe have per serving?

Around 4-5 grams of net carbs per serving, mostly from the garlic, spinach, and cream, making it fit well within a standard 20-30g daily keto carb limit.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, though breasts cook faster and dry out more easily; reduce the sear time to about 4-5 minutes per side and check with a thermometer at the thickest point.

Why did my cream sauce separate?

High heat or a rapid boil can cause heavy cream and parmesan to break; keep the sauce at a gentle simmer and reheat leftovers slowly over low heat.

What can I serve with this to keep the whole meal keto?

Cauliflower rice, sautéed zucchini noodles, or roasted broccoli all soak up the sauce well without adding significant carbs.