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smothered chicken recipe - featured image

Smothered Chicken Recipe Easy Creamy Mushroom Sauce Dinner Idea


  • Author: Nora Winslow
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A comforting and creamy smothered chicken recipe with a rich mushroom sauce, perfect for cozy weeknight dinners. Simple to make yet indulgent and satisfying.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds / 680g)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (45g)
  • 8 ounces cremini or white mushrooms, sliced (225g)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (100g)
  • 1 cup chicken broth (240ml), low sodium
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240ml)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Optional: 2 cups fresh spinach
  • Optional: ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken breasts and cook without moving for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C). Remove chicken and tent with foil to keep warm.
  3. In the same skillet, melt butter. Add diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add sliced mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms release moisture and turn golden brown, about 4 minutes.
  5. Sprinkle flour over mushrooms and stir well to coat. Cook for 1-2 minutes to remove raw flour taste.
  6. Slowly pour in chicken broth while whisking to avoid lumps. Let simmer and thicken for about 2 minutes.
  7. Stir in heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and fresh thyme. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce is luscious and coats the back of a spoon. Add a splash of broth or water if sauce is too thick.
  8. Return chicken breasts to skillet, nestle into sauce, and spoon sauce over top. Cook for 1-2 minutes to reheat and meld flavors.
  9. If using, toss in fresh spinach and stir until wilted. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

[‘Do not skip searing the chicken to lock in juices and develop flavor.’, ‘Cook mushrooms low and slow to develop deep flavor and avoid steaming.’, ‘Make a roux by mixing flour with melted butter before adding broth to prevent lumps.’, ‘Season chicken well before cooking and taste sauce before serving to adjust seasoning.’, ‘Leftover sauce freezes well; thaw and reheat gently with freshly cooked chicken or veggies.’, ‘Optional: Add a splash of dry white wine after sautéing mushrooms for extra depth.’, ‘For dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and butter with olive oil.’, ‘Use chicken thighs for juicier meat; adjust cooking time accordingly.’, ‘Add fresh spinach, kale, or peas in last minutes for added nutrition and color.’, ‘To lighten sauce, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream but expect thinner texture.’]

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
  • Calories: 520
  • Sodium: 500
  • Fat: 32
  • Saturated Fat: 18
  • Carbohydrates: 8
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 45

Keywords: smothered chicken, creamy mushroom sauce, easy chicken dinner, comfort food, weeknight meal