Creamy Mushroom Chicken – The Ultimate Comfort Food Dinner

If you’re looking for a rich, satisfying, and easy chicken dinner that feels restaurant-worthy yet simple enough for a weeknight, Creamy Mushroom Chicken is the perfect choice. Tender, golden-seared chicken breasts simmered in a velvety mushroom cream sauce create a comforting meal that pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.

This creamy mushroom chicken recipe delivers bold flavor using everyday pantry ingredients. With just one pan and minimal prep time, you can create a dish that tastes like it simmered for hours. Whether you’re cooking for family, hosting guests, or simply craving cozy comfort food, this recipe checks every box.

Let’s dive into how to make the best creamy mushroom chicken from scratch.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Mushroom Chicken

There are countless chicken recipes out there, but this one stands out for several reasons:

• One-pan simplicity (less cleanup!)
• Rich, restaurant-style mushroom cream sauce
• Ready in under 40 minutes
• Made with simple, accessible ingredients
• Perfect for meal prep or leftovers

The combination of seared chicken and savory mushrooms creates deep flavor, while the cream sauce adds luxurious texture without being overly heavy.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you need to make this easy creamy mushroom chicken recipe:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced (button or cremini work well)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken

Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper. Drying the chicken helps create a beautiful golden crust when searing.

2. Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for about 5–6 minutes per side, until golden brown. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage. Remove from the pan and set aside.

3. Sauté the Mushrooms

In the same skillet, add butter. Once melted, add sliced mushrooms. Cook for 5–7 minutes until they release their moisture and begin to brown. Browning is key for rich flavor.

4. Add Aromatics

Stir in the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and thyme, cooking for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

5. Deglaze the Pan

Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to release flavorful browned bits. Let it simmer for 3–4 minutes to reduce slightly.

6. Create the Cream Sauce

Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in heavy cream. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth.

7. Return the Chicken

Place the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, spooning sauce over the top. Cover and simmer for 8–10 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).

8. Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately while warm and creamy.

Tips for Perfect Creamy Mushroom Chicken

1. Don’t Overcrowd the Pan

Sear chicken in batches if needed. Overcrowding prevents browning.

2. Use Fresh Mushrooms

Fresh mushrooms provide better texture and flavor compared to canned.

3. Let the Sauce Simmer Gently

Avoid boiling after adding cream, as high heat can cause separation.

4. Thin Chicken for Faster Cooking

If your chicken breasts are thick, slice horizontally to create thinner cutlets.

Variations to Try

Garlic Lovers Version

Double the garlic for a bold, aromatic flavor.

Spinach Addition

Add a handful of fresh spinach at the end for color and nutrition.

Low-Carb Option

Serve over cauliflower mash or zucchini noodles.

Lighter Version

Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk for fewer calories.

What to Serve with Creamy Mushroom Chicken

This dish pairs beautifully with:

• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Steamed white or brown rice
• Buttered egg noodles
• Crusty artisan bread
• Roasted vegetables like asparagus or green beans

The sauce is too good to waste, so choose a side that soaks it up perfectly.

Storage and Reheating

Refrigeration

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezing

You can freeze creamy mushroom chicken for up to 2 months, though the texture of the cream sauce may slightly change upon thawing.

Reheating

Reheat gently over low heat on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.

Nutritional Benefits

Chicken is a high-protein, lean meat that supports muscle health and satiety. Mushrooms are low in calories and rich in antioxidants and B vitamins. While the cream adds indulgence, the dish can easily be modified for lighter dietary needs.

Why This is the Best One Pan Chicken Recipe

The secret lies in layering flavors: searing builds depth, mushrooms add umami, broth enhances savoriness, and cream ties everything together. The result is a balanced, creamy mushroom chicken that tastes gourmet but requires minimal effort.

This recipe proves that comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated. With just a handful of ingredients and straightforward steps, you can create a memorable dinner that feels special every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead?

Yes! Boneless, skinless thighs work beautifully and stay extra juicy.

Can I make it dairy-free?

You can substitute coconut cream and omit Parmesan, though flavor will change slightly.

How do I thicken the sauce more?

Let it simmer longer or stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water).

Final Thoughts

Creamy Mushroom Chicken is the ultimate comfort food chicken recipe. It’s creamy, savory, satisfying, and incredibly versatile. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or an elegant dinner, this one pan chicken recipe will quickly become a family favorite.

Give it a try tonight — and don’t forget the extra bread for that irresistible mushroom cream sauce!

Creamy Mushroom Chicken

Tender seared chicken breasts simmered in a rich and velvety mushroom cream sauce, perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Calories: 520

Ingredients

  

Chicken

• 4 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
• salt to taste
• black pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter

Sauce

• 8 oz mushrooms sliced
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese grated
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tbsp parsley chopped

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Wooden spoon

Method

 

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in skillet and sear chicken until golden. Remove and set aside.
3. Melt butter in the same pan and sauté mushrooms until browned.
4. Add onion and garlic, cooking until fragrant.
5. Pour in chicken broth and simmer for 3–4 minutes.
6. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Simmer until thickened.
7. Return chicken to skillet and cook until fully done.
8. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine before the broth. Use chicken thighs for juicier texture.