Description
Creamy Dinner that tastes even better tomorrow is your go-to for easy, delicious meals. This comforting dish gets richer overnight – perfect for busy nights!
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Stars:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 5 oz baby spinach (about 5 cups)
- Flavor Builders:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Creamy Goodness:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Searing the Chicken: Okay, first things first, get your biggest skillet heating up over medium-high heat with a splash of olive oil. We’re going to sear those chicken thighs until they’re beautifully golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. This step, hon, is where we lock in all that juicy flavor. I always make sure not to overcrowd the pan; if you do, the chicken will steam instead of sear, and we want that lovely crust for our Creamy Dinner That Tastes Even Better Tomorrow. Don’t worry if it’s not cooked through; we’ll handle that later.
- Building the Flavor Base: Once the chicken is seared, take it out and set it aside. Now, into that same skillet (don’t clean it, we want those browned bits!), toss in your chopped yellow onion. Let it soften for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, add your minced garlic and cook for just a minute more until it smells absolutely divine – don’t let it burn, that’s a mistake I’ve made before, and burnt garlic is not a friend! This aromatic base is so crucial for the overall taste.
- Creating the Creamy Sauce: Pour in your chicken broth, scraping up all those yummy browned bits from the bottom of the pan – that’s called deglazing, and it adds so much depth! Bring it to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Now, stir in your heavy cream and Italian seasoning. Let it gently warm through; we’re not looking for a boil here, just a gentle simmer. This is where the sauce for our Creamy Dinner That Tastes Even Better Tomorrow starts to get its luscious texture.
- Bringing It All Together: Return the seared chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into that gorgeous creamy sauce. Make sure they’re mostly submerged. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked all the way through and fork-tender. This slow simmer allows the chicken to absorb all those amazing flavors, making it incredibly tender. I sometimes peek too early, but patience is key here, trust me.
- Adding the Greens and Cheese: Once the chicken is cooked, stir in your baby spinach. It’ll look like a mountain at first, but it wilts down super fast, maybe 2-3 minutes. Then, stir in your freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and incorporated into the sauce. This step is a game-changer, adding a salty, cheesy goodness. Taste the sauce here, hon, and adjust your salt and pepper if needed. Sometimes I add an extra sprinkle of Parmesan, because why not?
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat and let your Creamy Dinner That Tastes Even Better Tomorrow rest for about 5 minutes. This little break allows the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld even further. Garnish with a little fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy, or just dig in! The smell in your kitchen right now should be absolutely intoxicating, a promise of comfort and deliciousness, especially for tomorrow!