Creamy Garlic Mushroom Chicken Delight

Creamy Mushroom Garlic Chicken is the ultimate weeknight hero – succulent chicken breasts bathed in a rich, velvety mushroom and garlic sauce. This effortless dish promises a gourmet experience in under an hour, making it perfect for busy evenings or when you crave something special without the fuss. Serve this incredibly flavorful chicken with creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or your favorite pasta for a truly satisfying meal that will become a staple in your culinary repertoire.

Imagine sinking your fork into tender chicken, each bite enveloped in a luscious, savory sauce brimming with earthy mushrooms and fragrant garlic. This recipe delivers exactly that! It’s not just easy; it’s a versatile culinary chameleon, equally at home on a casual Tuesday night or gracing your table for a special occasion. Its rich flavors and elegant presentation will impress, yet the preparation remains delightfully straightforward. Pair it with complementary sides like creamy mashed potatoes, light and fluffy rice, vibrant roasted Brussels sprouts, or crisp roasted broccoli to complete a balanced and delicious meal.

Creamy Mushroom Garlic Chicken cutlets in a pan with sauce, garnished with fresh parsley.

Contents

Why This Creamy Mushroom Garlic Chicken Will Be Your New Favorite

This skillet chicken recipe stands out as a true culinary gem, offering a delightful departure from routine casseroles and everyday meals. It’s designed for those moments when you desire something a little more refined and restaurant-worthy on your plate, yet without demanding hours in the kitchen. Here’s why this dish will quickly become a cherished favorite:

Effortless Elegance: This recipe delivers a sophisticated meal with minimal effort. The beauty lies in its simplicity – from prepping the chicken to simmering the sauce, each step is intuitive and quick. It transforms humble ingredients into a dish that looks and tastes like it took all day to make, yet comes together in a flash.
Irresistible Flavor Profile: The star of the show is undeniably the rich, garlicky mushroom sauce. It’s deeply savory, with the earthy notes of mushrooms perfectly complementing the pungent kick of fresh garlic, all harmoniously blended with a luxurious cream base. This sauce is so good, you’ll want to drizzle it over everything!
Tender, Juicy Chicken: By slicing the chicken breasts in half horizontally, we create thinner cutlets that cook quickly and evenly, retaining their moisture for an incredibly tender result. The light flour dredging creates a beautiful golden crust that locks in flavor and adds a subtle texture.
Weeknight Wonder, Weekend Winner: While it presents like a dish reserved for special weekend dinners, its quick preparation time makes it an ideal solution for busy weeknights. Spend less time cooking and more time enjoying a comforting, flavorful meal with your loved ones.
Versatile Pairing: This chicken dish is wonderfully adaptable. Whether you serve it with classic mashed potatoes, al dente pasta, fluffy rice, or a side of steamed or roasted vegetables, it complements a wide range of accompaniments, allowing you to tailor it to your preferences or what you have on hand.
Simple Garnish, Big Impact: A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley not only adds a pop of vibrant color but also introduces a fresh, herbaceous note that brightens the entire dish, elevating its visual appeal and taste without any extra fuss.

Forget lengthy cooking times and complicated techniques. This Creamy Mushroom Garlic Chicken proves that extraordinary flavor and elegant presentation can be achieved with ease, making it a perfect choice for any occasion.

Close-up of creamy mushroom garlic chicken, showing the sauce and texture.

Expert Tips for Perfect Creamy Mushroom Garlic Chicken

Deglazing is Key: When adding the chicken stock, make sure to vigorously scrape all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. These “fond” bits are packed with incredible flavor and are essential for a rich, deep sauce. Don’t leave any behind!
Evenly Sliced Chicken: For uniform cooking, ensure your chicken breasts are sliced evenly in half lengthwise. This creates thin cutlets that cook quickly and prevent some pieces from drying out while others are still cooking. You can also pound them lightly between two sheets of parchment paper for extra tenderness and even thickness.
Mushrooms Matter: While white button mushrooms are commonly used and work beautifully, feel free to experiment with cremini (baby bella) mushrooms for a deeper, earthier flavor. Slice them to a consistent thickness for even cooking. Sauté them until they release their moisture and start to brown for maximum flavor development.
Garlic Love: Don’t skimp on fresh garlic! Minced fresh garlic offers a much more vibrant and aromatic flavor than pre-minced jarred garlic. Be careful not to burn it; add it after the mushrooms have started to soften and cook for just 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
Sauce Consistency Control: For a lighter sauce without sacrificing creaminess, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half. Alternatively, for a dairy-free option or a lower-fat sauce, use a mixture of milk and cornstarch. Whisk 1½ teaspoons of cornstarch into ½ cup of milk before adding it to the hot liquid, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When searing the chicken, cook it in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the skillet. Overcrowding lowers the pan’s temperature, steaming the chicken instead of searing it, which prevents that desirable golden-brown crust.
Fresh Herbs for Finish: A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley at the end not only adds a beautiful pop of color but also a fresh, herbaceous flavor that brightens the rich sauce. Other fresh herbs like thyme or chives can also be lovely additions.

Serving Suggestions for Creamy Mushroom Garlic Chicken

This versatile dish pairs beautifully with a variety of sides, allowing you to create a complete and satisfying meal. Here are some of our favorite recommendations:

Classic Comfort: Creamy mashed potatoes are an absolute dream with this dish. Their smooth texture and buttery flavor perfectly absorb the rich mushroom garlic sauce.
Light & Fluffy: A bed of steamed jasmine or basmati rice is an excellent choice for soaking up every drop of the delectable sauce. For a healthier option, consider brown rice or quinoa.
Pasta Perfection: Toss your favorite pasta – fettuccine, linguine, or penne – with a spoonful of the creamy sauce before adding the chicken. It’s a match made in heaven for pasta lovers.
Vegetable Power: Balance the richness with some vibrant greens. Roasted asparagus, sautéed spinach, steamed green beans, or a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette are all fantastic choices.
Crusty Bread: Don’t forget a warm, crusty baguette or some garlic bread to mop up every last bit of that incredible sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?: Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great alternative if you prefer dark meat. They are more forgiving and less likely to dry out. Adjust cooking time accordingly; thighs may need a few extra minutes to cook through (to an internal temperature of 175°F / 79°C).
Can I make this dish ahead of time?: While best served fresh, you can certainly prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock or cream if the sauce seems too thick.
Is this recipe gluten-free?: As written, the recipe uses all-purpose flour for dredging the chicken, which contains gluten. To make it gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend (ensure it’s suitable for dredging) or almond flour. Always check ingredient labels for hidden gluten.
What other mushrooms can I use?: Feel free to get creative with your mushrooms! Shiitake, oyster, or even wild mushrooms can add different layers of flavor and texture. Just ensure they are cleaned and sliced appropriately.
How can I make the sauce thicker?: If your sauce isn’t as thick as you’d like, you can create a quick slurry. Mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water until smooth. Stir this mixture into the simmering sauce and cook for another minute, stirring constantly, until it reaches your desired thickness. Be careful not to add too much at once.

More Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes You’ll Love:

Chicken Florentine
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe
Creamy Tomato Chicken

If you fall in love with this Creamy Mushroom Garlic Chicken recipe, please share your thoughts in the comments below! Don’t forget to give it a star rating if you enjoyed making and eating it!

Creamy Mushroom Garlic Chicken

Author: Anna

This Creamy Mushroom Garlic Chicken is quick and easy! Juicy chicken in creamy garlic mushroom sauce served with mashed potatoes or pasta can be made any time of the week for a delicious dinner!

4.83 from 17 votes

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Prep Time

10

Cook Time

25

Total Time

35

Course
Main Course

Cuisine
American

Servings

4
people

Calories

254
kcal

Ingredients

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 ½ cups sliced white mushrooms
1 ½ teaspoon minced garlic
½ cup chicken stock
⅓ cup heavy cream
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

Begin by preparing the chicken. Carefully slice each boneless, skinless chicken breast in half lengthwise to create two thinner cutlets. This ensures quicker and more even cooking. Season both sides of each chicken piece generously with salt and black pepper.
Place the all-purpose flour into a shallow dish or plate. Dredge each seasoned chicken cutlet in the flour, ensuring both sides are fully coated. Shake off any excess flour. This coating will help create a beautiful golden crust when searing.
Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted and begins to shimmer, carefully add the floured chicken pieces to the hot pan. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 4 to 5 minutes per side. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165℉ (74°C). Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and transfer it to a plate. Set aside.
If needed, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter (or a little more olive oil) to the same pan. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Immediately add the sliced mushrooms to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until they soften and release their moisture, typically 5-7 minutes.
Pour in the chicken stock and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pan thoroughly, incorporating all the delicious browned bits (fond) from cooking the chicken and mushrooms into the sauce. These bits are crucial for developing a deep, rich flavor in your sauce. Reduce heat to a simmer.
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream until it is well combined and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Place the skillet back on low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the chicken to warm through and absorb the flavors of the sauce. Do not boil the sauce after adding cream, as it can curdle.
Serve your Creamy Mushroom Garlic Chicken immediately with your choice of mashed potatoes, cooked pasta, or rice. Spoon the exquisite mushroom garlic sauce generously over each chicken piece. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of black pepper for a burst of freshness and visual appeal. Enjoy your restaurant-quality meal at home!

Notes

For a lighter sauce, you can use half-and-half or a mixture of milk and cornstarch. To do this, whisk together 1½ teaspoons of cornstarch with ½ cup of milk until smooth, then stir into the hot liquid to thicken.
Please note that the nutritional values provided below are estimates and can vary based on the specific products and brands you use. For precise nutritional information, it is recommended to use a calorie counter that you are familiar with.

Nutrition

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This recipe was originally published on July 8th, 2017 and updated on November 10th, 2019.