Creamy Mushroom Chicken

Featured in The Stars of the Table.

This weeknight chicken dish brings restaurant quality to your dinner table through smart cooking techniques. Chicken cutlets get perfectly golden brown before meeting fresh mushrooms and garlic in a rich cream sauce brightened with Dijon mustard. The sauce comes together quickly while staying luxuriously smooth, coating each bite with amazing flavor. Simple ingredients transform through careful preparation into something that feels truly special. Fresh thyme adds wonderful aroma to finish the dish.
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Updated on Tue, 14 Jan 2025 22:42:40 GMT
Three golden-brown chicken breasts simmer in a creamy sauce with mushrooms and fresh thyme. Pin it
Three golden-brown chicken breasts simmer in a creamy sauce with mushrooms and fresh thyme. | tasteofcook.com

You know those recipes that make everyone think you spent hours in the kitchen? This Creamy Mushroom Chicken is one of them. I discovered this little gem when I needed a quick dinner for unexpected guests and it's been my go-to ever since. The sauce is absolutely divine rich and velvety and the mushrooms soak up all those wonderful flavors. Best part? It's ready in just 30 minutes but tastes like it came from your favorite restaurant.

What Makes This Recipe So Special

I love this recipe because it turns simple ingredients into something magical. My kids who usually run from mushrooms actually ask for seconds of this dish. The chicken stays perfectly juicy while that cream sauce well I've caught my husband sneaking spoonfuls straight from the pan. It's fancy enough for company but easy enough for those crazy weeknight dinners.

Your Shopping List

  • Chicken: I slice the breasts in half they cook up so much more tender this way.
  • Flour: Just enough to give the chicken a beautiful golden crust.
  • Olive Oil and Butter: This combo is my secret weapon for amazing flavor.
  • Mushrooms: Any kind you love will work here.
  • Italian Seasoning: My own blend but store bought works great too.
  • Garlic: Fresh cloves not the bottled stuff trust me.
  • Chicken Broth: Makes the sauce extra flavorful.
  • Lemon Juice: Just a splash brightens everything up.
  • Dijon Mustard: Adds that something special to the sauce.
  • Heavy Cream: This makes the sauce absolutely dreamy.

Let's Cook Together

Getting Your Chicken Ready
Slice those chicken breasts give them some seasoning and a light flour coating. Get them nice and golden in your pan then set aside.
Time for Mushrooms
Use the same pan let those mushrooms get all brown and delicious. The secret is not to crowd them so they get that perfect sear.
Making That Amazing Sauce
Toss in your garlic add the broth lemon juice and mustard. Let it bubble away then pour in that cream watch how it turns silky smooth.
Bringing It All Together
Pop everything back in the pan let the flavors mingle until your chicken is cooked through and that sauce is pure heaven.
The Final Touch
Serve it up hot maybe over some mashed potatoes to soak up all that gorgeous sauce.
A skillet contains chicken breasts cooked in a creamy mushroom sauce, garnished with fresh herbs. Pin it
A skillet contains chicken breasts cooked in a creamy mushroom sauce, garnished with fresh herbs. | tasteofcook.com

Mix It Up Your Way

Sometimes I'll splash in some white wine instead of broth when I'm feeling fancy. Chicken thighs work beautifully too just give them a few extra minutes to cook. The cream makes it luxurious but I've had readers tell me they've used half and half when that's all they had in the fridge. The sauce might be a bit thinner but still delicious.

Perfect Pairings

In my house this chicken never fails to please over a bed of garlic mashed potatoes. Rice soaks up the sauce beautifully too. When I'm trying to be good I'll serve it with roasted green beans or those maple glazed carrots my kids love. A simple salad with creamy balsamic dressing rounds everything out perfectly.

Saving Some For Later

If you're lucky enough to have leftovers they'll keep nicely in the fridge for about 4 days. Just warm everything up slowly in a pan so your sauce stays smooth and creamy. I wouldn't recommend freezing this one the cream sauce just isn't the same after thawing.

Getting That Chicken Just Right

Want to know my foolproof trick? I always keep my meat thermometer handy. Once that chicken hits 165°F you know it's perfect not dry not underdone just right. Takes all the guesswork out and gives you that restaurant quality result every single time.

More Chicken Dinners You'll Love

Once you fall in love with this recipe like my family did you'll want to try some of our other favorites. My Easy Chicken Marsala is another crowd pleaser and that Creamy Chicken in White Wine Sauce disappears in minutes. The Boursin Chicken is pure comfort food and don't even get me started on our Mozzarella Mushroom White Wine Chicken. My Easy Chicken Piccata might just become your new weeknight hero.

A creamy mushroom sauce surrounds golden-brown chicken breasts garnished with fresh thyme in a skillet. Pin it
A creamy mushroom sauce surrounds golden-brown chicken breasts garnished with fresh thyme in a skillet. | tasteofcook.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What kind of mushrooms work best?
Cremini and white mushrooms are ideal for this recipe. Cremini offer a deeper flavor, while white mushrooms have a milder taste. Both types hold up well in the cream sauce.
→ Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless chicken thighs work great in this recipe. They might need an extra few minutes of cooking time but will stay even more tender than breasts.
→ How do I prevent the cream sauce from breaking?
Keep the heat medium-low when adding the cream and don't let it boil. Simmer gently and stir occasionally while the sauce thickens.
→ What sides go well with this dish?
This creamy chicken pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta. Adding a green vegetable like roasted broccoli or asparagus makes it a complete meal.
→ Can I make this ahead of time?
While best served fresh, you can reheat it gently on the stove. Add a splash of cream if the sauce needs thinning. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Mushroom Chicken

Juicy chicken cutlets smothered in a garlic mushroom cream sauce. A quick, comforting dinner that's perfect for busy weeknights.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 4 Servings (4 chicken cutlets)

Dietary: Low-Carb

Ingredients

01 2 large chicken breasts.
02 Salt and pepper to taste.
03 Flour for coating.
04 2 tablespoons olive oil.
05 2 tablespoons butter.
06 12 ounces mushrooms (cremini or white), sliced.
07 ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning.
08 3 garlic cloves, minced.
09 ½ cup chicken broth.
10 ½ teaspoon lemon juice.
11 ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard.
12 1 cup heavy cream.

Instructions

Step 01

Split each chicken breast lengthwise to make four thin cutlets. Season with salt and pepper, then coat in flour.

Step 02

Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 4-5 minutes per side until golden. Remove from pan.

Step 03

Add butter and mushrooms with Italian seasoning. Cook until mushrooms release water and get nicely browned. Remove from pan.

Step 04

Add garlic, broth, lemon juice, and mustard to pan. Stir and cook until liquid reduces by half, about 4 minutes.

Step 05

Pour in cream, return chicken and mushrooms to pan. Cook 5 minutes until chicken is done and sauce thickens.

Notes

  1. Ready in 30 minutes.
  2. Sauce can be made ahead.
  3. Great with pasta or rice.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.
  • Wheat.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 482
  • Total Fat: 37 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 9 g
  • Protein: 29 g