Description
These Creamy Garlic Chicken Drumsticks are a rich, one-pan stovetop dinner that comes together in under 45 minutes. Juicy, seared drumsticks simmer in a silky garlic-herb cream sauce that clings to every bite—family-friendly, budget-friendly, and weeknight-ready.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks (about 2.2 lb / 1 kg)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (120 ml)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Season chicken: In a small bowl mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Pat drumsticks dry and rub seasoning all over.
- Sear: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Sear drumsticks 4–5 minutes per side until browned. Remove to a plate.
- Sauté aromatics: Reduce heat to medium, add butter and cook onion ~3 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic, thyme, and parsley; cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Make sauce: Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer chicken: Return drumsticks to the pan, partially submerging in sauce. Cover and simmer 20–25 minutes, turning once, until cooked through (165°F / 74°C).
- Cheesy finish (optional): Sprinkle mozzarella over the sauce during the last 5 minutes; let melt.
- Serve: Spoon extra sauce over drumsticks and garnish with herbs if desired.
Notes
- Best results: Pat chicken dry for better sear; don’t overcrowd the pan.
- Creamy & smooth: Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer (don’t boil) and use full-fat heavy cream to prevent curdling.
- Too thick? Stir in a splash of broth to loosen. Too thin? Simmer uncovered a few minutes.
- Swaps: Use thighs or breasts (reduce simmer time). For dairy-free, use full-fat coconut milk or cashew cream. Add spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli during the simmer.
- Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days; freeze up to 2 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream.
- Serving ideas: Great with mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, or roasted veggies.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, One-Pan
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: creamy garlic chicken drumsticks, one-pan chicken, stovetop chicken legs, garlic cream sauce chicken, easy weeknight dinner