If you want a cozy, irresistibly indulgent dinner that feels fancy but comes together in no time, this Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe is your new go-to. Think tender chicken breasts swimming in a luscious, garlicky mushroom cream sauce that’s easy enough for weeknights but special enough to impress.
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
This Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe has a beautiful balance of flavors and textures that I absolutely adore. It’s straightforward to make, but tastes like you put hours into it. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become a staple at your dinner table.
- Rich and comforting: The creamy mushroom sauce wraps the chicken in silky goodness that’s truly satisfying.
- Quick weeknight magic: You can have it ready in about 30 minutes, perfect for busy evenings.
- Simple ingredients: No fancy or hard-to-find items—just pantry staples and fresh mushrooms.
- Customizable: Easily tweak the herbs, add veggies, or amp up the flavors to suit your mood and pantry.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe plays a key role in building deep, layered flavors. From the umami-packed mushrooms to the hint of tang from the wine, everything combines beautifully. Here are a few tips to get the best from your ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: I like to use medium-sized breasts (about 5-8 oz.) so they cook evenly and stay tender.
- Butter and olive oil: Using both gives you great flavor and helps achieve a golden sear without burning.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic brings out a wonderful aroma and depth in the sauce.
- White mushrooms: Fresh sliced mushrooms soften and release their savory juices, forming the base of the sauce.
- Flour: Just a tablespoon thickens the sauce perfectly, giving it that luxurious texture without heaviness.
- White wine: This adds acidity and depth; pick a dry one you enjoy drinking for best results.
- Chicken broth: Adds flavor and thins the sauce slightly to keep it from being too heavy.
- Heavy cream: The star that makes the sauce creamy and indulgent.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoothly, boosting the savory profile and adding richness.
- Parsley or chives: Fresh herbs brighten the dish visually and with a hint of freshness.
Make It Your Way
I love how adaptable this Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe is. Over time, I’ve played around with it depending on season or ingredients on hand, and it’s always delicious – so don’t hesitate to make it your own!
- Variation: One of my favorite twists is stirring in a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the sauce for a subtle tang that wakes up the flavors beautifully.
- Herbs: Experiment with thyme or rosemary — just toss them into the sauce while simmering for a herbal boost that pairs wonderfully with the mushrooms.
- Veggie Boost: Sneak in some baby spinach or peas in the last few minutes of cooking for added color and nutrition.
- Make it lighter: For a lighter option, swap heavy cream with half-and-half, but keep in mind the sauce won’t be quite as rich.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Season and Sear for Golden Perfection
First things first—pat your chicken breasts dry and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter with the olive oil. When the pan is hot, sear the chicken for about 4-5 minutes per side until beautifully golden and crusty. Don’t move them around too much—let that golden crust develop. Once cooked, remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate. This step locks in the juices and sets the stage for that creamy sauce.
Step 2: Deglaze and Build Flavor with Wine
Add white wine to the hot skillet and scrape up all those flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom. This little trick is a game changer—it infuses the sauce base with deep, savory notes. Let the wine reduce for about 30 seconds or until most of it has evaporated.
Step 3: Sauté Mushrooms and Garlic
Drop in the remaining tablespoon of butter and your sliced mushrooms. Cook until they’re tender and their liquid has cooked off—roughly 5 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds just until fragrant (trust me on this, garlic burns fast!).
Step 4: Thicken and Enrich the Sauce
Sprinkle the flour over your mushroom-garlic mixture, stirring constantly for about a minute to cook out the raw taste—this thickens the sauce nicely. Next, lower heat slightly and pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle boil, then gradually add the Parmesan cheese in small batches, stirring continuously. This avoids clumps and creates a luxuriously smooth sauce. Taste it at this point and adjust salt and pepper—seasoning is key.
Step 5: Simmer and Reunite Chicken with Sauce
Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens up a bit, around 2-3 minutes. Then slide the chicken back into the pan, nestling it in the sauce. Simmer with the sauce for another 2 minutes or until the chicken is heated through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This step lets the chicken soak up those mushroom cream flavors, making each bite heavenly.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Finish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or chives—these herbs add a pop of color and just the right fresh contrast to the creamy sauce. Serve immediately and get ready for a dinner that feels like a warm hug.
Top Tip
After making this recipe several times, I’ve realized a few things that really make a difference in the final taste and texture. Sharing these tips will help you avoid common pitfalls and get it just right.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Sear the chicken in batches if needed to maintain a good crust.
- Use medium heat when sautéing mushrooms: Too high heat will burn them, too low won’t let the moisture evaporate causing sogginess.
- Add Parmesan gradually: Stir in cheese bit by bit off the heat if needed to keep the sauce silky smooth and prevent curdling.
- Let chicken rest briefly after searing: It helps keep the meat juicy when you simmer it again in the sauce.
How to Serve Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a fan of simple fresh chopped parsley or mild chives for garnish because they add a cheerful burst of color and freshness that complements the creamy sauce. Sometimes I throw on a little lemon zest for brightness or a sprinkle of crispy shallots for texture when I want to jazz it up.
Side Dishes
This Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe pairs beautifully with buttery mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, or even al dente pasta to soak up all that sauce. Roasted green beans or steamed broccoli on the side add a nice contrast and balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I've served the chicken sliced over a bed of creamy polenta with the mushroom sauce drizzled artistically on top, garnished with microgreens. It instantly elevates the presentation and makes the meal feel extra thoughtful and elegant.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
When I have leftovers, I transfer the chicken and mushroom sauce to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making next-day meals even better.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this dish once or twice with good results—just be sure to cool it completely before freezing. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Note that the sauce might separate slightly but a gentle whisk while reheating usually brings it back together nicely.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently to keep the sauce creamy and smooth. Adding a splash of chicken broth or cream can revive the sauce if it’s thickened too much. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully here. They stay extra juicy and add more flavor. You’ll want to adjust cooking time slightly as thighs may take a bit longer to cook through.
You can use half-and-half or whole milk mixed with melted butter as a lighter alternative, although the sauce won’t be quite as rich or thick. Coconut cream is a good dairy-free option but changes the flavor profile.
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch to thicken the sauce. Just mix cornstarch with a bit of cold water before adding to avoid lumps.
Try reducing the amount of heavy cream and adding extra chicken broth instead. You can also skip the Parmesan cheese or use less of it to lighten the sauce. Adding some fresh lemon juice at the end can brighten the flavor and make it feel less heavy.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe holds a special place in my weeknight dinner arsenal because it feels indulgent without being complicated. It’s my little secret weapon when I want to impress with minimum fuss. I hope you enjoy making and sharing this recipe as much as I do—it’s one of those meals that brings comfort and smiles around the table. Give it a try, and soon it might just become your new favorite too!
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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
This Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce recipe features tender, seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich and velvety sauce made with sautéed white mushrooms, garlic, white wine, chicken broth, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Garnished with fresh parsley or chives, this flavorful and comforting dish is perfect for an easy yet elegant dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (5-8 oz. each)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Mushroom 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
Garnish
- Parsley or chives, to garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper evenly to taste.
- Sear the chicken: In a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and add the olive oil. Sear the chicken 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 bottom. Cook for about 30 seconds until the wine has mostly evaporated.
- Sauté mushrooms: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet and sauté the sliced mushrooms until soft and their liquid has mostly evaporated, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic: Toss in the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add flour: Sprinkle the flour over the mushroom mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Make the sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low. Slowly pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Add Parmesan cheese: Stir in the Parmesan cheese in batches, continuously stirring until the cheese melts smoothly into the sauce.
- Season the sauce: Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper as needed for seasoning.
- Simmer sauce: Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens and reduces slightly, about 3 minutes.
- Reheat chicken: Return the chicken breasts and any plate juices 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 fresh chopped parsley or chives. Serve the chicken hot with the creamy mushroom sauce spooned over.
Notes
- Use smaller boneless, skinless chicken breasts (5-8 oz. each). If larger breasts are used, slice them in half lengthwise to create cutlets.
- Add herbs like rosemary, thyme, or Italian seasoning to the chicken before searing or into the sauce for extra flavor.
- Add baby spinach to the sauce for a boost of greens and color.
- Drizzle lemon juice into the sauce to brighten and balance the creaminess.
- Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the sauce to bring a subtle tanginess and depth.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melting and flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 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: 130 mg
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