Mushroom Chicken is a comforting dish featuring juicy chicken breasts smothered in a rich, creamy mushroom sauce. The sauce, which has a gravy-like texture, is made with garlic, white wine, beef broth, and cream. Perfectly seared chicken is combined with a flavorful sauce and served over mashed potatoes or buttered noodles for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• For the Chicken:

  • 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

  • 3-4 tbsp olive oil

• For the Sauce:

  • 10 oz mushrooms (button or baby bella)

  • 2 tbsp salted butter

  • 2 1/2 cups beef broth

  • 1 chicken bouillon cube or 1 tsp better than bouillon

  • 1 tsp soy sauce (or Worcestershire sauce)

  • 1 tsp onion powder

  • 1/2 tsp mustard powder

  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme

  • 1/2 cup dry white wine (e.g., Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay)

  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)

  • 3 tbsp cornstarch + 3 tbsp cold water (for slurry)

  • 1/3 cup heavy cream

Directions

1. Cook the Mushrooms: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.

2. Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge in flour and tap off excess. Heat olive oil in the same skillet and sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

3. Make the Sauce: In the same pan, add white wine and garlic. Scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pan and cook for 4 minutes until the wine reduces by half. Add the beef broth, chicken bouillon, soy sauce, onion powder, mustard powder, and thyme. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

4. Thicken the Sauce: Mix the cornstarch with cold water and slowly add to the simmering sauce. Stir until the sauce thickens, then lower the heat and add the cream, stirring until smooth.

5. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon the sauce over it. Cover partially and heat for 5 more minutes.

6. Serve: Serve the mushroom chicken with mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or roasted vegetables. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 414 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 23g

• Protein: 18g

• Fat: 26g

  • Saturated Fat: 10g

• Cholesterol: 78mg

• Sodium: 704mg

• Potassium: 599mg

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 2g

The Heart of Mushroom Chicken: The Sauce

At the core of this dish is the sauce, which provides both flavor and texture to the dish. The sauce is thickened to a gravy-like consistency, creating a perfect coating for the chicken. The beef broth serves as the base, imparting a rich, savory depth, while the dry white wine adds a slight acidity and complexity. The addition of garlic brings a warm, aromatic foundation, while soy sauce (or Worcestershire sauce) adds a touch of umami, rounding out the savory profile of the sauce. The mustard and onion powder offer subtle heat and aromatic sweetness that balances the richness of the sauce.

The mushrooms, whether you choose button or baby bella varieties, absorb the flavors of the sauce, providing a satisfying bite and earthy flavor. Sautéed to golden perfection before being added to the sauce, they infuse the dish with a deep, savory character that pairs beautifully with the chicken.

Choosing the Right Chicken for Mushroom Chicken

For this recipe, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the ideal choice. They cook quickly and remain tender when properly seared. Chicken breasts are also versatile, allowing the rich mushroom sauce to be the star of the dish. It’s essential to properly season the chicken with salt and pepper before dredging it in flour. This helps create a nice crust on the outside when seared in olive oil, giving the chicken a golden-brown color and locking in moisture.

To ensure the chicken is cooked through but still juicy, it’s best to sear the breasts for 4-5 minutes on each side. This allows the outside to develop a flavorful crust while keeping the interior tender and moist. Once the chicken is seared and set aside, it is returned to the pan to finish cooking in the mushroom sauce, ensuring the chicken absorbs some of the sauce’s flavors and becomes even more flavorful.

The Role of Mushrooms in Mushroom Chicken

Mushrooms are more than just a garnish in this dish—they are a key player in the overall flavor profile. Whether you use button mushrooms or baby bella, both types offer a mild, earthy taste that pairs wonderfully with the richness of the sauce. When sautéed in butter, the mushrooms develop a golden-brown color, which enhances their natural sweetness and umami flavor.

In addition to their flavor, mushrooms contribute to the overall texture of the dish. They soak up the sauce, providing a tender bite that complements the chicken and sauce. Their spongy texture is ideal for absorbing the savory broth and cream, creating a harmonious mouthfeel with each bite.

Crafting the Perfect Mushroom Sauce

The sauce for Mushroom Chicken is a perfect balance of savory, creamy, and slightly tangy flavors. To begin, you’ll sauté the mushrooms in butter, allowing them to brown and release their moisture. This step is crucial, as it helps deepen the flavor of the mushrooms and adds richness to the sauce. After removing the mushrooms, the white wine and garlic are added to the pan to deglaze, scraping up any flavorful brown bits left behind by the chicken and mushrooms. These bits contribute to the sauce’s depth of flavor.

The beef broth and chicken bouillon cube provide a hearty base, while the soy sauce (or Worcestershire sauce) introduces a rich umami note. The mustard powder and thyme add a gentle aromatic layer, elevating the sauce’s complexity. After the liquid simmers, it’s thickened with a cornstarch slurry, which creates a smooth, gravy-like consistency.

To finish the sauce, heavy cream is stirred in, transforming the sauce into a velvety, creamy concoction that perfectly coats the chicken. This creaminess, combined with the umami from the mushrooms and the savory depth from the broth and wine, makes the sauce irresistible.

Thickening the Sauce for a Perfect Texture

The cornstarch slurry is a simple but important element in this recipe. The cornstarch helps to thicken the sauce so that it has a rich, creamy consistency that clings to the chicken. The slurry is made by mixing cornstarch with cold water, which is then gradually added to the simmering sauce. This method ensures the sauce thickens evenly without clumping.

Once the sauce has thickened, the heat is lowered, and the cream is added, resulting in a smooth, velvety sauce that balances the richness of the broth with a creamy finish. The result is a sauce that is both luxurious and comforting, perfect for spooning over the chicken and any side dish you choose.

Serving Mushroom Chicken

Mushroom Chicken can be served with a variety of side dishes that complement its richness. For a classic and comforting pairing, serve it with creamy mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes soak up the sauce beautifully, making each bite extra indulgent. Alternatively, buttered noodles provide a lighter option that still lets the sauce shine. Roasted vegetables, such as green beans or Brussels sprouts, are another great option, offering a crunchy contrast to the creamy chicken and sauce.

If you’re looking to garnish the dish, fresh herbs like parsley or thyme add a pop of color and freshness, balancing the richness of the sauce. A sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper also enhances the flavor, giving the dish an extra layer of warmth and depth.

Nutritional Information and Considerations

While Mushroom Chicken is undeniably a rich and indulgent dish, it can be part of a balanced meal when served with lighter sides. The dish provides a good amount of protein from the chicken, but it is also high in fat and calories, primarily due to the creamy sauce. To make the dish a bit lighter, consider using a lower-fat version of heavy cream or reducing the amount of butter used in the sauce. Additionally, serving it with vegetables or a light salad can help balance the meal.

Conclusion

Mushroom Chicken is a comforting and indulgent dish that combines the succulent flavors of seared chicken with a rich, creamy mushroom sauce. The balance of savory, earthy, and creamy flavors makes this dish a crowd-pleaser, whether you’re making it for a family dinner or serving it to guests. With its versatility in sides and easy-to-follow steps, Mushroom Chicken is a perfect addition to your dinner repertoire. It’s a hearty and satisfying meal that will surely become a favorite in your home.