Chicken thighs are my husband's all time favorite! This wonderful dinner was brought to you by bone in and skin on chicken thighs. I know, I know, but it is the best!
I poured this mixture over fresh fettuccine pasta and it was wonderful. The buttery lemon sauce is creamy yet light. It's layers are so yummy and all work so well together. It's great for a big family dinner or an intimate dinner party. Your guests will be blown away at the complexity of the flavors!
First things first, you need a deep frying pan or in my case, I used my cast iron dutch oven. Whatever you use will have to be able to be put in the oven to finish the cook time.
Lemon Spinach Chicken
Ingredients:
8 Chicken thighs, bone in and skin on (you can go skinless if you like)
Sprinkles of Smoked Paprika
Sprinkles of Salt and Pepper
4 Tbsp of Butter (unsalted)
2 Cups of Chicken broth
1 C Heavy cream
3 Tbsp Goat Cheese 9 (I used a lemon flavored goat cheese)
1/4 Parmesan Cheese
1 Lemon (juiced)
2 Tsp thyme (dried)
Handful of Italian Flat leaf parsley chopped
2 Cups fresh baby spinach (Not frozen)
How To:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Sprinkle the chicken thighs withe a light amount of smoked paprika and salt and pepper to liking.
In a large oven safe skillet or dutch oven, melt 2 Tbsp butter and sear both sides of the chicken. Pull the chicken out and set aside.
Add 2 Tbsp butter to the pan, melt and add the chopped garlic. Cook until fragrant, but not burned. Stir in the chicken broth, the lemon juice, Parmesan, thyme, heavy cream and goat cheese until the cheese is melted. Add salt and pepper to liking.
Put the spinach leaves in and cook until fully wilted. Add the Italian flat leaf parsley and stir until well combined.
Once it is all cooked down and thickened a little (about 5 minutes), add the chicken back into the sauce. Place uncovered into a 400 degree F oven for 25 - 30 minutes or until the chicken reads 175 degrees when a meat thermometer is placed in it.
Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve over your favorite pasta! That's it!
You can serve with your favorite crusty bread or your own garlic bread. Either way, this is a win win! AND you will get your family to eat their spinach!
Enjoy!!
