If you’re looking for a comforting yet elegant dinner that comes together quickly, you’re going to love this Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe. It’s rich, flavorful, and just the right balance of simple ingredients to impress without stress. Let me show you how to make it right in your kitchen!
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 is one of those dishes that feels fancy but is surprisingly easy to whip up on any weeknight. The creamy sauce perfectly hugs tender chicken, making it a winner with family and friends alike.
- Simple yet decadent: You only need a handful of ingredients to create this luscious sauce that tastes rich and luxurious.
- Quick to make: From pan-searing your chicken to simmering the sauce, you’ll have dinner on the table in about 30 minutes.
- Comfort food that impresses: The earthy mushrooms and creamy Parmesan bring classic flavors that everyone will rave about.
- Highly adaptable: You can easily customize with herbs, veggies, or swaps to suit your pantry and preferences.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe plays an important part in building layers of flavor and texture. Here’s a quick look at why I love each one and tips for picking the best versions.
- Chicken breasts: I use boneless, skinless breasts about 5-8 ounces each for even cooking and tenderness. If yours are large, cut them into cutlets so they cook through perfectly.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps get a beautiful golden sear on the chicken and mushrooms.
- Olive oil: Used with butter to raise the smoke point and ensure a nice crust without burning.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives a wonderful aromatic base—don’t skip it!
- White mushrooms: I recommend fresh white button or cremini mushrooms sliced thinly—they release moisture and deepen the sauce’s umami.
- Flour: Helps thicken the sauce to that perfect creamy consistency.
- White wine: Deglazes the pan, lifting those tasty browned bits and adding acidity for balance.
- Chicken broth: Builds body in the sauce without overpowering the senses.
- Heavy cream: The star of the sauce that makes it rich and silky smooth.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated for a sharp, nutty punch that melts beautifully into the sauce.
- Parsley or chives: Fresh herbs to bring brightness and a pop of color to the final dish.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. I’ve experimented with a few tweaks over time, and you should too—trust me, it’s fun!
- Variation: Sometimes I add a handful of fresh baby spinach at the end of cooking—the heat wilts it gently and adds a healthy pop of color without changing the flavor much.
- Herbs: Rosemary or thyme works beautifully if you want to add an earthy, aromatic note—just toss a sprig in the sauce while it simmers.
- Dijon kick: Stirring in a teaspoon of Dijon mustard really wakes up the sauce with subtle tanginess, especially if you like a little bite.
- Brighten it up: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving can add a lovely brightness balancing the richness.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Season and Sear Your Chicken
First, pat your chicken breasts dry and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides. This helps develop flavor and aids in browning. Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil. When the fat is hot but not smoking, add your chicken and sear without moving it for about 4-5 minutes. Flip carefully and cook the other side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp of 165°F). Remove the chicken to a plate and keep warm.
Step 2: Deglaze with White Wine
Pour the white wine into the same hot skillet to deglaze. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned bits stuck to the pan—that’s pure flavor gold. Let it cook down for about 30 seconds until mostly evaporated so the alcohol cooks off but the essence remains.
Step 3: Sauté Mushrooms and Garlic
Add the remaining tablespoon of butter, then toss in your sliced mushrooms. Sauté over medium heat until they soften and their moisture cooks off, roughly 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook just until fragrant—about 30 seconds—being careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 4: Make the Cream Sauce
Sprinkle the flour over the mushrooms and stir for 1 minute. This cooks off the raw flour taste and helps thicken the sauce later. Lower heat to medium-low and gradually pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil.
Next, add the Parmesan cheese in batches, stirring until melted and smooth each time. Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper as needed. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it thickens to your liking.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Return the chicken and any juices from the plate back to the skillet. Let everything simmer together for about 2 minutes so the chicken warms through and soaks up some of that delicious sauce. Before serving, sprinkle fresh parsley or chives over the top for a fresh and colorful finish.
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve found a few little tricks that really elevate this Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe—these helped me avoid flops and turn it into a foolproof favorite. Hopefully, they’ll help you too!
- Dry the chicken well: Moisture is the enemy of a good sear—patting your chicken dry gets you that gorgeous golden crust.
- Don’t rush the deglaze: Scraping up those fond bits with wine adds so much depth and keeps the sauce from tasting one-dimensional.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan: Pre-grated cheese won’t melt as smoothly or flavor the sauce as richly.
- Simmer gently: High heat can split the cream sauce—keeping it at a gentle simmer ensures it stays silky and stable.
How to Serve Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
I almost always finish this dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or chives—it adds a bright contrast to the creamy sauce. Sometimes, if I want things a little bolder, I toss on a few crispy shallots or even a grating of lemon zest for that extra zing.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides are mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles because they soak up that amazing mushroom sauce like a dream. For something lighter, a crisp green salad or steamed broccoli rounds out the meal nicely.
Creative Ways to Present
For special dinners, I like to plate the chicken on a shallow pool of sauce, then nestle sautéed mushrooms artistically on top and garnish with microgreens and edible flowers. It makes a humble dish feel restaurant-worthy in seconds!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, ideally separated from any sides. The creamy sauce keeps well for 3-4 days. When you’re ready, it’s easy to reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Freezing
This dish freezes okay, but cream sauces can sometimes separate. If freezing, place chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container, then thaw slowly overnight in the fridge before reheating—a quick stir during warming helps bring back the silky texture.
Reheating
Reheat on low heat over the stove, stirring frequently. You can add a splash of milk or broth if the sauce seems too thick. Avoid high heat to prevent curdling and keep everything smooth and creamy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Chicken thighs will give you a juicier texture and stand up well to the cream sauce. Just adjust cooking time since thighs take a bit longer to cook through.
You can skip the wine and just use extra chicken broth or a splash of white grape juice for a touch of sweetness. The wine deglazing adds some complexity, but the sauce will still taste delicious without it.
Yes! Substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or a non-dairy creamer and use a dairy-free cheese alternative or nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan. Just note the flavor will be a bit different, but still creamy and tasty.
Make sure to cook the flour for at least a minute to eliminate the raw taste, and simmer the sauce long enough for it to reduce slightly. If it’s not thickening enough, a small slurry of flour and cold water added gradually can help.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites because it hits all the right notes: fast, flavorful, and flexible. It’s the kind of dish you can pull out when you want to treat yourself without fussing over complicated steps. I hope it becomes a go-to in your kitchen too—because nothing beats the comfort of rich mushroom sauce wrapped around tender chicken. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out!
Print
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
Description
A delectable Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce recipe featuring tender seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich, cheesy mushroom cream sauce, perfect for an elegant yet easy 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
- Parsley or chives, to garnish
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper to enhance their flavor before cooking.
- Sear Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts on each side until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.
- Deglaze Pan: Pour in white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Cook for about 30 seconds or until most of the wine has evaporated.
- Sauté Mushrooms: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Sauté the sliced mushrooms until they are soft and the liquid has reduced, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds, to release its aroma.
- Cook Flour: Sprinkle in the flour and cook while stirring continuously for about 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Add Liquids & Cheese: Lower heat to medium-low. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil. Gradually add Parmesan cheese in batches, stirring constantly until the cheese melts smoothly into the sauce.
- Season Sauce: Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper if needed to balance the flavors.
- Simmer Sauce: Gently simmer the sauce until it slightly thickens and becomes creamy, about 3 minutes.
- Return Chicken: Place the chicken breasts and their juices back into the skillet. Simmer for another 2 minutes or until the chicken is warmed through and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or chives. Serve the chicken hot, topped with the creamy mushroom sauce.
Notes
- Use smaller chicken breasts (5-8 oz.) or cut larger breasts in half lengthwise to make cutlets.
- Enhance flavor with herbs like rosemary, thyme, or Italian seasoning either on chicken or in sauce.
- Add vegetables such as baby spinach to the sauce for added nutrition.
- Brighten the sauce with a drizzle of fresh lemon juice for added zest.
- Incorporate a little Dijon mustard into the sauce for a tangy bite.
- Make sure to cook the flour long enough to avoid a raw flour taste in the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- 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: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
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