The Parmesan-Garlic Mushroom Chicken Recipe is a delightful symphony of tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and a richly creamy sauce infused with sharp Parmesan and fragrant garlic. This dish brings together simple ingredients in a way that feels both cozy and a little indulgent, perfect for a weeknight dinner or impressing guests without hassle. Every bite bursts with flavor, showcasing how a few thoughtful touches can elevate classic chicken to something truly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients for this Parmesan-Garlic Mushroom Chicken Recipe is refreshingly straightforward. Each component plays a crucial role, whether it’s building the creamy sauce or adding texture and color to the plate.
- Chicken breasts: Thinly sliced for quick, even cooking and a tender bite.
- All-purpose flour: Creates a light coating that helps brown the chicken beautifully and thickens the sauce.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance natural flavors throughout the dish.
- Olive oil: Adds richness and is perfect for sautéing chicken and vegetables.
- Mushrooms: Cremini or morels add that irresistible earthy depth and texture.
- Onion: Diced for a subtle sweetness and savory base.
- Garlic: Finely minced to infuse the sauce with vibrant, aromatic flavor.
- Chicken broth: Builds savory richness and lifts the sauce’s flavor.
- Heavy cream: Makes the sauce luxuriously creamy and coats everything perfectly.
- Fresh thyme: Adds bright herbal notes, balancing the richness.
- Parmesan cheese: Sharp, nutty, and melts beautifully into the sauce.
- Fresh parsley: Chopped for a fresh, colorful finish.
- Hot cooked pasta or rice (optional): Great for serving and soaking up every bit of that luscious sauce.
How to Make Parmesan-Garlic Mushroom Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dredging Mixture
Start by combining the flour, kosher salt, and ground black pepper in a shallow bowl. This simple mix is more important than it seems—it seasons the chicken evenly and gives it a light, crisp crust during cooking.
Step 2: Sauté the Chicken
Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dredge each chicken breast thoroughly in the flour mixture, ensuring every piece is well coated. Carefully place the chicken into the hot oil and cook for about three minutes on each side. You want a gorgeous golden crust while keeping the inside just slightly pink—this ensures the chicken finishes perfectly in the sauce later. Once browned, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
Step 3: Cook the Vegetables
Reduce the heat to medium and add the sliced mushrooms, diced onions, and minced garlic to the same skillet. Stir frequently for about seven minutes until the mushrooms have softened, released their juices, and the liquid has mostly evaporated. You’ll notice a beautiful caramelization happening here, which gives the sauce incredible depth.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, scraping the bottom to lift all those flavorful browned morsels. Next, add the heavy cream, fresh thyme, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir everything together and bring to a gentle simmer. Allow the sauce to thicken slightly, which should take around four minutes, stirring regularly to keep it smooth and luscious.
Step 5: Finish Cooking the Chicken
Return the chicken breasts and any juices that have collected on the plate back into the skillet. Nestle them into the creamy sauce so they’re well coated. Let everything cook together for two more minutes, ensuring the chicken cooks through fully while soaking in all those gorgeous flavors.
How to Serve Parmesan-Garlic Mushroom Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
A generous sprinkle of fresh parsley and an extra handful of grated Parmesan right before serving instantly elevate the dish’s look and flavor. The fresh herbs add a pop of color and brightness that balances the richness of the sauce.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs beautifully with hot cooked pasta or a bed of fluffy rice, which absorb the sauce perfectly. A crisp green salad or roasted vegetables can add contrast and texture, making the meal feel complete and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, consider plating the chicken atop creamy polenta or garlic mashed potatoes. You could also serve the sauce on the side as a decadent dip for toasted bread. These little twists bring a fresh take to the classic Parmesan-Garlic Mushroom Chicken Recipe and make your meal feel extra thoughtful.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, transfer your leftover Parmesan-Garlic Mushroom Chicken Recipe to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. The sauce may thicken in the fridge, but a quick stir and gentle warming bring it right back to its creamy glory.
Freezing
This dish freezes well! Portion the chicken and sauce into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving some space for expansion. They’ll keep nicely for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Slow and gentle is the way to go when reheating. Warm the chicken and sauce over low heat on the stovetop, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream if the sauce feels too thick. Avoid microwaving if you can, as this helps maintain the sauce’s silky texture and prevents the chicken from drying out.
FAQs
Can I use other types of mushrooms in this recipe?
Absolutely! Cremini mushrooms give a nice hearty flavor, but you can also use button mushrooms, portobello, or even wild mushrooms for a more intense earthiness. Just slice them thinly so they cook evenly.
Is it necessary to use heavy cream?
Heavy cream is key for the rich, velvety sauce that defines this dish. If you want a lighter version, you can substitute with half-and-half, but the sauce won’t be as thick or indulgent.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch for dredging the chicken. Make sure your chicken broth is also gluten-free to keep everything safe and delicious.
Can I prepare parts of this recipe ahead of time?
You can dice the onions, slice mushrooms, and mince garlic in advance to save time. Also, the sauce can be made ahead and gently reheated with the chicken, which can be cooked earlier and warmed through before serving.
What’s the best way to cook the chicken evenly?
Using thinly sliced chicken breasts helps them cook fast and evenly. Pounding thicker breasts to about 1/2 inch thickness ensures the same result, so you avoid overcooking the outside while waiting for the centers to cook through.
Final Thoughts
This Parmesan-Garlic Mushroom Chicken Recipe is truly a treasure in the kitchen—simple enough for a weekday but flavorful enough to feel like a special treat. Once you try its creamy, garlicky goodness paired with tender chicken and mushrooms, it’s easy to see why it’s a beloved dish for any occasion. Don’t wait to bring this comforting, crave-worthy meal to your table—it’s sure to become a fast favorite!
Print
Parmesan-Garlic Mushroom Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
Savor a creamy and flavorful Parmesan-Garlic Mushroom Chicken dish that combines tender sautéed chicken breasts with a rich mushroom and garlic cream sauce. Perfectly seasoned and topped with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, this comforting meal comes together quickly for an impressive weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds thin-sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1/2-inch thick)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt (plus more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper (plus more to taste)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables & Sauce
- 1 pound mushrooms (such as cremini, thinly sliced, or whole morels if using)
- 1 onion (diced)
- 1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
- 1/2 cup less-sodium chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more to serve)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Optional
- Hot cooked pasta or rice (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dredging Mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the seasonings within the flour for coating the chicken.
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dredge each chicken breast thoroughly in the flour mixture, coating well. When the oil is hot, place the chicken pieces in the skillet and cook about 3 minutes per side until golden brown and almost cooked through but still slightly pink in the center. Remove the chicken and transfer to a plate; set aside.
- Cook the Vegetables: Lower the heat to medium and add the sliced mushrooms, diced onion, and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir often and cook for about 7 minutes until the mushrooms release their moisture, the liquid evaporates, and the vegetables become tender and lightly browned.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen browned bits for extra flavor. Add the heavy cream, chopped thyme, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine thoroughly, then bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Continue cooking for about 4 minutes, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Finish Cooking the Chicken: Return the chicken breasts along with any accumulated juices back into the skillet, nestling the chicken into the sauce so it is mostly covered. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and heated thoroughly.
- Serve: Serve the chicken and mushroom sauce over hot cooked pasta or rice if desired, or place the chicken on a serving dish and spoon the sauce generously over the top. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and offer extra grated Parmesan cheese at the table. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use thin-sliced chicken breasts for even cooking; pounding thicker breasts to 1/2-inch thickness works well.
- If you prefer less creaminess, reduce the heavy cream to 1/2 cup.
- Substitute fresh thyme with dried, or use other herbs like rosemary for variation.
- For a gluten-free option, swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend for dredging.
- Serve with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy mushroom sauce.
