Cacio e Pepe Chicken Thighs
A delightful recipe for Cacio e Pepe Chicken Thighs, featuring tender chicken with a creamy, peppery sauce.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 50 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 thighs
Calories 390 kcal
- 6 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (2 ½ to 3 pounds total)
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium shallot, finely chopped (about ¼ cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns, coarsely crushed
- 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest (from 1 medium lemon)
- 3 tablespoons finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese divided, plus more for serving
- finely chopped fresh parsley leaves for garnish (optional)
- lemon wedges for serving (optional)
Pat 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season all over with ¾ teaspoon kosher salt.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the chicken skin-side down and sear until golden-brown, 13 to 15 minutes. Flip and cook until the second side is golden-brown, 13 to 15 minutes more.
Turn off the heat. Transfer the chicken to a large plate skin-side up (it will not be cooked through). Remove all but 1 tablespoon of fat in the pan.
Add 1 finely chopped medium shallot and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pan. Cook over medium heat until translucent, about 1 minute. Add ¼ cup dry white wine and simmer, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan, about 30 seconds. Add ¾ cup heavy cream, ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth, and 1 tablespoon coarsely crushed whole peppercorns. Bring to a rapid simmer, stirring regularly.
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Return the chicken skin-side up to the pan and pour in any accumulated juices from the plate. Simmer until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and the chicken is cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a serving platter.
Stir 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest and 2 tablespoons of the finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese into the sauce. Spoon the sauce around the chicken. Garnish with the remaining 1 tablespoon finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese and chopped fresh parsley leaves if desired. Serve with lemon wedges and more grated Pecorino Romano cheese if desired.
Serving: 1thighCalories: 390kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 24gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 150mgSodium: 680mgPotassium: 350mgVitamin A: 6IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 10mg
Keyword Cacio e Pepe Chicken Thighs, Chicken Recipes, comfort food, dinner, Italian cuisine, meat dishes