Creamy Mushroom Chicken

Tender chicken smothered in a rich, creamy mushroom sauce—comfort food at its finest!

Introduction

If you’re craving a comforting yet elegant meal that’s both hearty and delicious, this Creamy Mushroom Chicken recipe is a perfect choice. Combining tender, juicy chicken breasts with a luscious mushroom and cream sauce, this dish is a beautiful balance of textures and flavors. It’s perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or simply when you want a little indulgence in your meal routine.

This recipe blends simple ingredients with rich flavors, including earthy mushrooms, garlic, and herbs, all enveloped in a velvety sauce that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds. Plus, it’s simple enough to prepare on a weeknight but impressive enough to serve guests.

Ingredients

For the perfect Creamy Mushroom Chicken, gather the following ingredients. Using US measuring cups helps maintain consistency and ease in preparation:

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  Chicken breasts are the star of this recipe. They provide lean protein and absorb the sauce beautifully. For even cooking, slice them into thinner cutlets as described later.

• 1 teaspoon salt
  Essential for seasoning, enhances the natural flavors of the chicken and sauce.

• ½ teaspoon black pepper
  Adds a slight kick and depth to the dish without overpowering the delicate flavors.

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
  Used for dredging the chicken to create a light crust and help thicken the sauce later.

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
  Olive oil provides a mild, fruity flavor and helps sear the chicken perfectly.

• 2 tablespoons salted butter
  Adds richness and flavor, especially important when sautéing mushrooms.

• 10 oz mushrooms (button or baby bella), sliced
  Mushrooms add earthiness and a meaty texture. Baby bellas or cremini are ideal for their flavor and texture.

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
  Garlic infuses the dish with aromatic and savory notes.

• ½ teaspoon onion powder
  Complements garlic with a subtle sweetness and depth.

• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  Thyme’s herbal aroma pairs wonderfully with mushrooms and chicken.

• ½ cup dry white wine (or ½ cup chicken broth + 1 tablespoon butter)
  The wine deglazes the pan and adds acidity and brightness. Use chicken broth and butter as a non-alcoholic alternative.

• 2½ cups beef broth
  Beef broth adds a rich, savory base to the sauce. Chicken broth can be substituted but beef broth offers deeper flavor.

• 1 chicken bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon
  Enhances the broth with concentrated flavor.

• 1 teaspoon soy sauce (or Worcestershire sauce)
  Adds umami and a slight tang to round out the sauce.

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  Mixed with cold water, cornstarch thickens the sauce to the perfect consistency.

• ⅓ cup heavy cream
  Heavy cream lends the sauce a luscious, creamy texture.

Preparation Time and Calories

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Cook Time: 50 minutes

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

• Calories per Serving: Approximately 414 kcal

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the Chicken

Start by slicing the chicken breasts into thinner cutlets, about 2 to 3 pieces per breast. This helps the chicken cook evenly and quickly, ensuring tender meat without drying out. Once sliced, season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.

Next, dredge the cutlets in all-purpose flour. This light coating will help create a beautiful crust when seared and will also aid in thickening the sauce later.

Pro tip: Use a shallow dish for the flour dredging to coat the chicken evenly.

Step 2: Sautéing the Mushrooms

Heat 2 tablespoons of salted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once melted and bubbly, add the sliced mushrooms in a single layer to avoid overcrowding (this ensures they brown nicely instead of steaming).

Sauté the mushrooms for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they’re golden brown and have released their moisture. Season lightly with salt and pepper while cooking to enhance their flavor.

Once cooked, remove the mushrooms from the skillet and set aside. Don’t clean the skillet — the browned bits left behind will add amazing flavor to the sauce.

Step 3: Searing the Chicken

In the same skillet, add 3 tablespoons of olive oil and heat over medium-high. Add the floured chicken cutlets and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until they develop a golden-brown crust and are nearly cooked through.

Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate. The chicken will finish cooking in the sauce later.

Step 4: Deglazing the Pan

To capture all the flavorful bits stuck to the skillet, pour in ½ cup dry white wine (or the chicken broth and butter alternative). Scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to lift the browned bits.

Let this liquid simmer and reduce by half—about 4 minutes. This reduction concentrates the flavors and adds a slight acidity to balance the creaminess.

Step 5: Making the Sauce Base

Add 2½ cups of beef broth, the chicken bouillon cube (or Better Than Bouillon), 1 teaspoon soy sauce (or Worcestershire sauce), ½ teaspoon onion powder, and ½ teaspoon dried thyme to the skillet.

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and let it reduce for about 10 minutes. This slow simmering will deepen the flavor and reduce the liquid slightly, concentrating the savory notes.

Step 6: Thickening the Sauce

In a small bowl, mix 3 tablespoons cornstarch with 3 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry. This mixture will thicken the sauce without clumping.

Slowly pour the slurry into the simmering sauce while stirring continuously. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens to a creamy, gravy-like consistency.

Step 7: Adding Cream and Mushrooms

Reduce the heat to low and stir in ⅓ cup heavy cream. This step transforms the sauce into a rich, velvety delight.

Return the sautéed mushrooms to the skillet and stir them into the sauce, allowing their flavor to meld perfectly.

Step 8: Finishing the Dish

Return the seared chicken cutlets to the skillet. Spoon the creamy mushroom sauce generously over the top.

Partially cover the skillet and simmer for about 5 minutes. This final simmer allows the chicken to finish cooking and soak up the sauce, making every bite moist and flavorful.

Serving Suggestions

This Creamy Mushroom Chicken pairs beautifully with:

• Mashed potatoes

• Buttered egg noodles

• Steamed rice

• Roasted or steamed vegetables

These sides help soak up the delicious sauce and complement the flavors perfectly.

Tips for the Best Creamy Mushroom Chicken

• Use fresh mushrooms: Fresh mushrooms brown better and have superior flavor compared to canned or frozen. If you want a deeper flavor, use a mix of baby bella and cremini mushrooms.

• Don’t skip the wine: The wine adds acidity and brightness, balancing the richness of the cream and butter. Use a dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay. If you prefer non-alcoholic, chicken broth with butter works well too.

• Control the thickness: Adjust the amount of cornstarch slurry to your preferred sauce thickness. Add more for thicker sauce, less for a lighter coating.

• For lighter versions: Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or full-fat coconut milk. You can also use olive oil instead of butter to reduce saturated fat.

• Season thoughtfully: Taste the sauce before serving and adjust salt, pepper, or soy sauce to your preference. Keep in mind soy sauce adds saltiness, so add salt gradually.

• Reheat gently: If reheating leftovers, warm on low heat and add a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.

Nutritional Information

Per serving, this dish provides approximately 414 kcal, with a healthy balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates mainly from the chicken, cream, and mushrooms. It’s a comforting yet nutritious meal perfect for dinner.

Conclusion

This Creamy Mushroom Chicken recipe is an ideal comfort food that delivers elegance and rich flavor with straightforward cooking techniques. Whether you’re cooking for family or entertaining guests, it’s a dish that impresses without fuss. With tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and a silky sauce that ties everything together, you’ll find this recipe becoming a go-to favorite in your home cooking rotation.

Enjoy the warm, satisfying flavors that this dish brings to your table, and don’t forget to experiment with sides and tweaks to make it your own!