Skillet chicken breast in mushroom sauce
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This sumptuous skillet chicken breast is meticulously cooked to perfection and bathed in a rich, creamy white sauce teeming with succulent mushrooms and tangy sour cream. It boasts an unparalleled blend of deep, satisfying flavors and textures that will leave your taste buds singing with delight!
Skillet chicken breast is an exquisite choice that elevates both everyday family meals and special occasions, promising to delight the palate and impress your guests with its culinary finesse. The best part about this chicken in mushroom sauce is how easy it is to prepare. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can have a gourmet meal on the table in under 30 minutes. It’s the perfect recipe for those busy weeknights when you want something delicious but don’t have a lot of time
Not to mention this creamy skillet chicken and mushroom is quick, easy, convenient and since it’s all cooked in one pan, cleaning up is just as easy as making the recipe. It’s a win-win situation that will leave you feeling satisfied and stress-free. Plus, with its rich and creamy sauce, it pairs perfectly with some crusty bread or a side of pasta for a complete meal.
How to make skillet chicken breast
Ingredients
- Chicken breast: This is the star of the dish and provides a lean and protein-packed base for the flavors to shine. Look for boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are about 6-8 ounces each for best results and cut them into medium size chunks.
- Sour cream: Adding a tangy and creamy element, sour cream helps create the rich and velvety texture of the sauce. It also adds a subtle tang that balances out the other flavors.
- Mushrooms: Whether you use white button mushrooms or more flavorful varieties like cremini or shiitake, they add a delicious umami flavor to the dish. Make sure to slice them thinly so they cook evenly and absorb all the flavors in the sauce.
- Garlic: A staple in many savory dishes, garlic adds depth and complexity to the sauce. Make sure to finely chop or mince it for even distribution.
- Flour: This helps thicken the sauce and give it a silky smooth texture. You can use all-purpose flour or a gluten-free alternative like cornstarch if needed.
- Milk: The creamy base of the sauce comes from milk, which also helps balance out the tanginess of the sour cream. You can use any type of milk you prefer, from whole to skim.
- Dry thyme and oregano: These herbs add a fragrant and earthy flavor to the dish, complementing the other ingredients perfectly. Use dried versions for convenience, but feel free to substitute with fresh if you have them on hand.
- Fresh parsley: Adding a pop of color and freshness, chopped parsley is sprinkled on top as a garnish. It also adds a subtle herbaceous note to the dish.
- Mozzarella: This cheese helps thicken and bind the sauce, giving it a creamy and slightly gooey texture. You can use any type of shredded cheese you like, such as cheddar or parmesan.
- Salt and pepper: These basic seasonings are crucial for balancing out the flavors of the dish. Use them to taste, adjusting as needed.
Substitutions
If you have dietary restrictions or simply want to change things up, there are some substitutions you can make in this recipe:
- Instead of chicken breast, you can use boneless and skinless chicken thighs for a more tender and juicy result.
- For a vegetarian option, replace the chicken with tofu or chickpeas.
- You can also use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a healthier alternative. Just keep in mind that it may have a slightly tangier taste.
- Instead of milk, you can use heavy cream for a richer and more indulgent sauce.
- If you don’t have fresh parsley, you can substitute with dried one.
Equipment needed
This recipe requires minimal equipment such as:
- Cutting board – for chopping the chicken and vegetables
- Skillet or pan – preferably a large cast iron or non-stick skillet for even cooking and easy clean-up
- Wooden spoon or spatula – for stirring the ingredients in the skillet
- Measuring cups and spoons – to accurately measure out the ingredients
Instructions to cook the skillet chicken breast
Preparations:
- Begin by cutting the chicken breast into medium size chunks.
- Season chicken with 1 tsp thyme, oregano, salt and pepper and mix to coat evenly.
- Prepare the thickening sauce by combining 1 tbsp flour with 2 tbsp milk, mixing well to remove lumps.
Cooking:
- In a skillet, heat oil and cook chicken until golden, on both sides.
- Remove chicken into a bowl and keep aside.
- Sauté garlic for 1 minute or until fragrant then add mushrooms. Sauté until the mushrooms are tender.
- Turn the heat to low, add half the parsley, the rest of the milk and add sour cream to the skillet. Mix then add the flour mixture and mix well until the sauce thickens. .
- Return chicken to skillet, add salt, pepper and water and simmer for a few minutes.
- Add half the cheese and mix.
- Turn the heat off, add the rest of the parsley and cheese and serve.
Tips
- To enhance the flavor of the dish, you can also add some chopped onions and a splash of white wine to the sauce.
- For a perfectly creamy sauce that coats the chicken beautifully, make sure to allow the sauce to simmer gently once all the ingredients are combined. Use full fat sour cream for the best results. Mine curdled a bit when I made this, because I used low fat sour cream and I added the sour cream when the heat was high. It still turned out creamy and very tasty.
Recipe variations
These simple tweaks can transform the dish to suit a variety of preferences and keep your weeknight dinners exciting and diverse:
- For those who love a spicy kick, consider adding a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes into the sauce while it simmers. This adds a layer of warmth that complements the creamy texture beautifully.
- Alternatively, incorporating a handful of spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking not only adds a pop of color but also increases the nutritional value of the dish.
- For a low-carbohydrate variation, serve this creamy skillet chicken and mushrooms over a bed of cauliflower rice or spiralized vegetables.
What to serve with skillet chicken breast:
This dish pairs well with a variety of side dishes such as mashed potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables or green beans. Don’t forget to have some crusty bread on hand to soak up all the delicious sauce.
Also, consider serving it alongside a crisp, green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette.
You can also serve it over pasta for a more filling meal.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use frozen chicken breast for this recipe?
Yes, but make sure to thaw it completely before cooking.
Can I make this ahead of time and reheat it?
While the dish is best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare the sauce and vegetables ahead of time and store them separately. When ready to eat, simply cook the chicken and assemble everything together in a skillet.
How can I make this dish more nutritious?
This recipe is already packed with protein from the chicken, but you can increase the vegetable content by adding more mushrooms and other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini. You can also serve it over a bed of quinoa, couscous or brown rice for added nutrition value.
Storing and re-heating
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply heat it up in a skillet on medium heat until warmed through or microwave for a few minutes.
For longer storage, you can also freeze the dish for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating and add a bit of heavy cream mixed with flour to bring the creamy texture back.
More chicken recipes you will love:
- Twice baked chicken sweet potatoes
- Lemon fried chicken
- Chicken hash brown casserole
- Chicken stir fry
- Baked balsamic chicken
- Pineapple BBQ chicken with quinoa and pineapple salsa
- Slow cooker orange chicken
- Spicy chicken salad
- Chicken tater tot casserole
Serving size
This dish serves 4 people. Increase the ingredients proportionally if you are serving a larger group or want leftovers for the week. Use a large pan or skillet to ensure enough space for the chicken and sauce to cook evenly.
This creamy skillet chicken and mushroom recipe is perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner that the whole family will love. With just a handful of simple ingredients and minimal equipment needed, it’s an easy weeknight meal option that you can customize to your liking.
I hope you enjoyed this recipe! Please let me know how you liked it and feel free to share any variations or tips in the comments below. Happy cooking!
Skillet Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breast skinless, boneless, cut into medium size chunks
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 cup of mushrooms chopped
- 3 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 tbsp flour
- 2 tbsp milk
- 2 tsp dry thyme
- 1 tsp dry oregano
- 2 handfuls fresh parsley chopped
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cups mozzarella shredded
- salt and pepper to taste
Equipment
- large bowl
Instructions
- Season chicken with 1 tsp thyme, oregano, salt and pepper and mix to coat evenly.
- In a skillet, heat oil and cook chicken until golden, on both sides. Remove chicken into a bowl and keep aside.
- Saute garlic for 1 minute or until fragrant then add mushrooms. Fry until they're soft.
- Meanwhile mix 1 tbsp flour with 2 tbsp milk and mix well.
- Add half the parsley, all milk and sour cream to the skillet, mix then add the flour mixture and mix well until the sauce thickens.
- Return chicken to skillet, add salt, pepper and water and simmer for 20 minutes or until the sauce reduces about half.
- Add half the cheese and mix.
- Turn the heat off, add the rest of the parsley and cheese and serve.
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Hi, I’m Petro, author and founder of Easy Peasy Creative Ideas. Sewist, crafter, avid DIY-er, foodie, photographer, homemaker and mommy to one. I’m an expert at coming up with quick, clever sewing tips, recycling crafts and simple, easy recipes! You can find my ideas featured in reputable publications such as Country Living, Good House Keeping, Yahoo News, WikiHow, Shutterfly, Parade, Brit & Co and more. Thanks for stopping by and hope you’ll stay for a while, get to know me better and come back another time. Stick around for real fun projects! Read more…