If you’re craving something rich, comforting, and surprisingly simple, this Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe is a total game changer. It’s the kind of dish that feels fancy enough for guests but cooks up quickly on a weeknight. Trust me, you’ll want to keep this one in your regular rotation.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I stumbled upon this Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe when I wanted something cozy without fussing too much in the kitchen—and it became an instant favorite. The sauce is unbelievably smooth and packed with flavor, perfectly complementing tender chicken every time.
- Simple Comfort Food: Easy to prepare yet feels indulgent enough to impress anyone at your dinner table.
- Rich, Creamy Sauce: The luscious mushroom sauce hits that perfect balance of velvety cream and earthy mushrooms.
- Quick Weeknight Meal: Comes together in about 30 minutes, making it practical even on busy days.
- Highly Customizable: You can tweak herbs, add veggies, or even swap chicken cuts to suit your taste.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe relies on straightforward ingredients that combine beautifully to form that rich, creamy mushroom sauce that clings to perfectly seared chicken. Grab quality mushrooms and fresh garlic for best flavor, and don’t skip the Parmesan – it rounds out the sauce with this deep, nutty goodness.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Small to medium breasts sear evenly and stay juicy; if yours are large, slice them in half for faster cooking.
- Butter and Olive Oil: Butter adds richness while olive oil helps prevent the butter from burning during searing.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives that punch of aroma and flavor that wakes up the sauce.
- White Mushrooms: Their mild, earthy flavor becomes beautifully concentrated when sautéed until tender and browned.
- Flour: Used to thicken the sauce just right—don't skip this step or your sauce might be too runny.
- White Wine: Helps deglaze the pan and adds a subtle acidity that balances the creaminess.
- Chicken Broth: Builds depth and savory notes in the sauce without overpowering it.
- Heavy Cream: Key to that silky sauce texture that feels indulgent yet smooth.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated for optimal melt and flavor – it adds a savory, umami punch.
- Parsley or Chives: Fresh herbs brighten the dish and add a pop of color just before serving.
Make It Your Way
I love mixing things up depending on the season or what’s in my fridge. This recipe is a perfect canvas for personal touches, so don’t hesitate to add your favorite twists and watch it become your go-to comfort dinner.
- Herb Boost: When I’m in the mood for more flavor depth, I throw in fresh thyme or rosemary while simmering the sauce – it really elevates the whole dish without much effort.
- Veggie Upgrade: Adding fresh baby spinach towards the end melts right into the sauce and sneaks in some greens for extra nutrition.
- Zesty Touch: A quick squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving brightens up the creamy sauce beautifully if you want a little tang.
- Spicy Kick: Sometimes I whisk in a teaspoon of Dijon mustard for a subtle heat and tang that balances the mushrooms and cream.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken
First things first: pat your chicken breasts dry and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium-high and melt 1 tablespoon butter with olive oil—this combo prevents burning and adds flavor. Sear the chicken about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and delicious looking. Don’t rush this step; the nice crust adds incredible texture and locks in juices. Once browned, remove the chicken from the pan and set aside while you build your sauce.
Step 2: Deglaze With White Wine
Pour the white wine straight into the hot pan. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those browned bits stuck to the bottom—that’s where the flavor is hiding! Let it cook for about 30 seconds until most of the wine evaporates. That little step is key to getting a rich, flavorful sauce base without bitterness.
Step 3: Sauté Mushrooms and Garlic
Next, add the remaining tablespoon of butter and toss in your sliced mushrooms. Cook them until they’re soft, browned, and have released their liquid—that’s usually about 5 minutes. Then stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Garlic burns quickly so keep an eye on it!
Step 4: Build the Creamy Sauce
Sprinkle your flour over the mushroom mixture and stir well for about a minute to get rid of any raw flour taste. Then turn heat down to medium-low and slowly add the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring everything to a gentle boil and whisk in the Parmesan cheese gradually—this helps it melt smoothly without clumping. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Let the sauce simmer a few minutes until thick and glossy.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Return the chicken and any resting juices back into the skillet. Simmer gently for another 2 minutes or until the chicken’s internal temp hits 165°F and it’s warmed through. Before serving, sprinkle with parsley or chives to add freshness and color. And there you have it—a restaurant-worthy meal made right in your own kitchen.
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned these little tricks make the Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe foolproof and even better than when I first tried it.
- Don’t Skip Drying the Chicken: Patting the chicken dry ensures a beautiful golden crust instead of a steamed surface.
- Wine Choice Matters: Use a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to avoid overly sweet or overpowering flavors.
- Grate Parmesan Fresh: Pre-grated cheese won’t melt as smoothly and can throw off your sauce texture.
- Simmer Don’t Boil: Keeping the heat low while simmering the sauce prevents splitting and keeps it silky.
How to Serve Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
I stick to fresh parsley or chives chopped finely—they add a pop of color and a fresh, mild onion flavor that cuts through the richness. Sometimes, I fresh-grate a little extra Parmesan on top for a beautiful, melty finish.
Side Dishes
This sauce is a dream over buttery mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, or even garlic roasted potatoes. For lighter sides, steamed green beans or roasted asparagus bring nice contrast without competing with the sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I like to serve the chicken sliced on a platter surrounded by sautéed mushrooms and a drizzle of the sauce. A sprinkle of toasted pine nuts or crispy fried shallots adds a surprising crunch that guests love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying dinner, I cool leftovers to room temperature, then transfer them into an airtight container. They keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days without loss of flavor or texture.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this chicken with creamy mushroom sauce successfully by storing it in freezer-safe containers. Just be aware the cream sauce can slightly separate after freezing, so thaw gently overnight in the fridge and stir well before reheating.
Reheating
To warm leftovers, I prefer using a skillet over medium-low heat to slowly bring the chicken and sauce back to life. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream if the sauce needs loosening. Microwaving works too, but stirring occasionally helps keep the sauce creamy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Boneless skinless chicken thighs have more fat and are juicier, so they’ll work great with this recipe. Just adjust cooking time to ensure they’re cooked through but still tender.
You can skip the white wine and substitute with additional chicken broth or a splash of apple cider vinegar to add some acidity. The flavor will be a little different but still delicious.
Yes! Swap the butter with a dairy-free alternative and use full-fat coconut milk or cashew cream in place of heavy cream. Nutritional yeast can replace Parmesan cheese to add umami without dairy.
The best way is to use a meat thermometer and look for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The chicken should also feel firm to the touch and have no pink inside when sliced.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe holds a special place on my dinner table because it’s that perfect blend of easy and impressive. It feels like a treat without hours spent cooking, plus it brings everyone together with those cozy, creamy flavors. I truly hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—and maybe even find your own favorite way to jazz it up. Give it a try tonight, and let this become one of your kitchen staples!
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Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
A comforting and elegant Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce recipe featuring tender seared chicken breasts in a rich, creamy mushroom and Parmesan sauce, perfect for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (5-8 oz. each)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 oz. white mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tablespoon flour
- ¼ cup white wine
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- Parsley or chives, to garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with salt and pepper to enhance flavor before cooking.
- Sear the chicken: In a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and add olive oil. Sear the chicken breasts on each side until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Deglaze the pan: Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the skillet. Cook for about 30 seconds or until most of the wine has evaporated.
- Cook mushrooms: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Sauté the sliced mushrooms until they are soft and the liquid has mostly cooked down, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add garlic: Toss in the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds, taking care not to burn it.
- Add flour: Sprinkle the flour into the skillet, stirring constantly and cooking for about 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Make the sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low and slowly pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil. Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese in batches, stirring continuously until it melts smoothly into the sauce.
- Season the sauce: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed to balance flavors.
- Simmer the sauce: Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it thickens and becomes creamy.
- Rewarm the chicken: Return the seared chicken breasts and any juices on the plate back to the skillet. Simmer for another 2 minutes or until the chicken is warmed through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or chives for color and freshness. Serve the chicken hot with the creamy mushroom sauce spooned on top.
Notes
- Use smaller chicken breasts (5-8 oz each). For larger breasts, slice lengthwise to make cutlets for more even cooking.
- Enhance flavor by adding herbs like rosemary, thyme, or Italian seasoning either when seasoning the chicken or in the sauce while simmering.
- Add baby spinach or other leafy greens to the sauce for extra vegetables and nutrition.
- Add a drizzle of lemon juice to the cream sauce to brighten the flavor profile.
- For a tangy twist, stir in a small amount of Dijon mustard into the sauce.
- Always check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
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