Let’s be honest for a second. Chicken breast can be… well, a little boring. It’s the lean, healthy option we all know we should choose, but it often ends up dry, bland, and just plain sad on the plate.

But what if I told you there’s a way to transform it? A method that turns simple chicken into something truly spectacular, something you’d be proud to serve to guests on a Saturday night, yet is simple enough for a frantic Wednesday.

This creamy mushroom sauce is the ultimate makeover. It’s rich, luxurious, and clings to every bite of chicken, ensuring that not a single drop of its deliciousness goes to waste. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug.

Ingredients Needed for the Recipe

This isn’t just a list of items; it’s a team of flavor all-stars. Each one has a specific job to do, coming together to create something magical.

• Chicken Breasts (2 large): The main event! We’ll slice them horizontally to create thin, quick-cooking steaks that stay incredibly juicy.
• Salt & Pepper: The essential foundation of all good seasoning. Don’t be shy with them.
• Flour (1/4 cup): This is our secret weapon for a lightly crispy exterior and, more importantly, a surface for the glorious sauce to cling to.
• Unsalted Butter (3 tbsp total): Used for both cooking the chicken and sautéing the mushrooms. Butter equals flavor, and it helps create those tasty brown bits in the pan.
• Mushrooms (10 oz, sliced): The star of the sauce! Use basic button mushrooms, earthy cremini, or even shiitake for a deeper flavor.
• Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Because mushrooms and garlic are a match made in heaven. It adds a punch of aromatic warmth.
• Dry White Wine (1/4 cup): The “secret” ingredient that chefs swear by. It deglazes the pan, grabbing all that stuck-on flavor, and adds a complex depth you just can’t get otherwise.
• Chicken Stock (1/2 cup): Adds a savory backbone to the sauce, making it taste richer and more well-rounded than just cream alone.
• Heavy Cream (1 cup): This is what creates that dreamy, luxurious, silky texture we’re after. It’s the comforting heart of the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese (1/2 cup, freshly grated): Our flavor turbocharger! It melts right into the sauce, making it thicker and adding a salty, nutty, savory kick.
• Chives (2 tbsp, optional for garnish): A little pop of fresh color and a mild oniony flavor to finish everything off beautifully.

How to make Chicken Breast in Creamy Mushroom Sauce?

The beauty of this dish is its speed. In about 20 minutes, you’ll go from a handful of ingredients to a restaurant-quality meal. Let’s break it down.

Step 1: Prepping the Chicken

Take your two large chicken breasts and lay them flat on your cutting board. Carefully slice each one in half horizontally, as if you were opening a book.

This gives you four thin, even cutlets. This is the single best trick for preventing dry chicken! Sprinkle both sides generously with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Creating a Crispy Base

Now, lightly dust each chicken cutlet with the flour. Just a gentle coating on both sides—you’re not trying to create a thick batter.

This light dusting is what will give the chicken a beautiful golden color and a slight texture. It also acts like a glue for our amazing sauce later.

Step 3: Searing to Perfection

Melt one tablespoon of your butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s sizzling, add the chicken.

Cook for about 2 ½ to 3 minutes on each side. You’re looking for a gorgeous golden-brown crust. The chicken will cook through quickly because it’s so thin. Remove it to a plate and cover it loosely.

Step 4: Building the Sauce Foundation

Without wiping out the pan, add the remaining two tablespoons of butter. Let it melt and get foamy. Toss in all your sliced mushrooms.

Don’t crowd them—let them sit and sizzle for a good 4 minutes without stirring too much. You want them to get beautifully browned, not just steam.

Step 5: Unlocking the Aromatics

Just as the mushrooms finish browning, add the minced garlic and another pinch of salt and pepper. Stir constantly for about one minute.

You’ll smell that incredible garlic aroma—but be careful not to let it burn, or it will turn bitter. This quick step makes all the difference.

Step 6: The Magic of Deglazing

Here’s where the magic happens. Pour in the white wine. It will bubble, steam, and sizzle dramatically—that’s exactly what you want!

As it bubbles, use your spoon to scrape up all those browned, stuck-on bits from the bottom of the pan. That stuff is pure flavor gold. Let it simmer for 30 seconds until the sharp alcohol smell cooks off.

Step 7: Making it Rich and Creamy

Pour in the chicken stock and let it bubble vigorously for about a minute. This helps it reduce and concentrate. Now, lower the heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream.

Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes. You’ll see it start to thicken slightly and become luxurious.

Step 8: The Final Flavor Boost

Turn the heat down to low. Sprinkle in the freshly grated parmesan cheese and stir until it’s completely melted into the sauce.

Take a quick taste. Does it need more salt? Pepper? Now is the time to adjust. The sauce should be rich, savory, and utterly irresistible.

Step 9: Bringing It All Together

Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them right into that creamy mushroom sauce. Let them warm through for just 30 seconds.

This allows the flavors to marry and ensures every piece of chicken is coated in that velvety sauce. Garnish with fresh chives and serve immediately!

Best Time to Serve This Dish

This dish is the ultimate culinary multitasker. It truly doesn’t know the meaning of an off-night.

On a busy weeknight, it’s your 20-minute savior, feeling like a decadent treat after a long day. For a date night at home, it’s effortlessly elegant and romantic, especially with a candle on the table.

And for weekend guests? It’s impressive enough to make everyone think you slaved away for hours, yet simple enough that you’re not stuck in the kitchen all night. It’s a true all-rounder.

Tips

• For the juiciest chicken, bring your breasts to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking. A cold chicken hitting a hot pan will seize up and cook unevenly.
• Always use freshly grated parmesan from a block. The pre-shredded stuff in bags contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy and prevent it from melting smoothly.
• Don’t rush the mushrooms! Let them sit in the hot pan without moving them too much. This allows them to develop a deep, caramelized brown color and meaty flavor instead of just steaming and turning gray.
• If your sauce seems a little too thick after adding the cheese, just splash in a tiny bit more chicken stock or cream to loosen it up to your perfect consistency.

Ingredient Substitutions

No white wine? No problem. You can use an equal amount of additional chicken stock with a small squeeze of lemon juice. The acid mimics the wine’s role.

For a lighter version, swap the heavy cream for full-fat evaporated milk. It’s thicker than regular milk and creates a surprisingly creamy sauce with fewer calories.

While chicken breast is lean, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully here too. Just pound them to an even thickness for consistent cooking.

Not a fan of parmesan? Try another hard, salty cheese like Pecorino Romano or even Asiago. The goal is that salty, umami punch.

Pairing Ideas

This creamy, rich dish begs for something to soak up every last drop of sauce. Creamy mashed potatoes are the classic, dreamy choice—a perfect flavor and texture match.

But it’s also fantastic served over a bed of pasta, polenta, or even simple steamed rice. The sauce acts as a incredible coating for any starch.

For your veggie side, think fresh and green to cut through the richness. A simple arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette, some steamed green beans, or roasted asparagus are all perfect companions.

How to Store and Reheat

Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce will thicken significantly as it cools—that’s completely normal.

Reheating is crucial for success. Do not microwave it! The cream can separate and become oily. Gently warm it in a skillet over low heat, adding a small splash of chicken stock or cream to loosen the sauce back up.

You can also freeze this dish for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before using the gentle stovetop method to reheat. The texture might be a tiny bit different, but the flavor will still be fantastic.

Print Recipe

Chicken Breast in Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe

Author: katie Smith Cooking Method: Sautéing Cuisine: American Courses: Main Course

Difficulty: easy Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 20 mins Total Time 30 mins

Servings: 4 Estimated Cost: $ 18 Calories: 580

Best Season: all year

Description

A quick 20-minute chicken dinner that’s simple enough for midweek but elegant enough for company. This versatile dish features tender, pan-seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich, luxurious creamy mushroom sauce. Packed with umami from white wine, parmesan, and golden pan-fond, it's a restaurant-quality meal ready in no time!

Ingredients

Servings

Crispy Chicken

• 2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless (~600–700g / 1.2–1.4 lb total)
• ¹⁄₂ tsp salt
• black pepper (to taste)
• ¹⁄₄ cup all-purpose flour (for dusting)
• 15 g / 1 tbsp unsalted butter (for cooking chicken)

Mushroom Sauce

• 30 g / 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 300 g / 10 oz mushrooms, sliced (button, cremini, or Swiss brown)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ¹⁄₄ cup dry white wine (substitute with extra chicken stock if needed)
• ¹⁄₂ cup chicken or vegetable stock (low sodium)
• 1 cup thickened or heavy cream (full fat for best texture)
• ¹⁄₂ cup parmesan, finely and freshly grated (adds depth and helps thicken sauce)

For Serving

• 2 tbsp chives, finely sliced (optional; substitute with parsley or green onions)

Instructions

1. Split Chicken Breasts

   Cut each chicken breast horizontally in half to create 4 thin steaks. This ensures even and quick cooking.
   Mark as complete

2. Season and Dust

   Sprinkle both sides of each chicken steak with salt and pepper. Lightly dust with flour, pressing gently to ensure an even coating.
   The flour helps create a light crust and helps the sauce cling to the chicken.
   Mark as complete

3. Pan-Fry Chicken

   Melt 15g (1 tbsp) butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 2½ minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from pan, cover, and keep warm.
   Mark as complete

4. Sauté Mushrooms

   In the same pan, add the remaining 30g (2 tbsp) butter and increase heat to high. Add mushrooms and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden at the edges.
   Mark as complete

5. Add Garlic

   Stir in minced garlic, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 more minute until fragrant and lightly golden.
   Adding garlic later prevents burning.
   Mark as complete

6. Deglaze the Pan

   Pour in the white wine. It will bubble and steam vigorously. Scrape the bottom of the pan to release the browned bits (fond), and cook for 30 seconds until most of the liquid has evaporated and the alcohol smell is gone.
   This step builds deep flavor into the sauce.
   Mark as complete

7. Build the Sauce

   Add chicken stock and simmer rapidly for 1 minute to reduce. Then stir in the cream, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
   Mark as complete

8. Finish with Parmesan

   Stir in the grated parmesan until melted and smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
   Parmesan adds richness and helps thicken the sauce naturally.
   Mark as complete

9. Finish the Dish

   Return the chicken to the pan, spooning sauce over the top. Warm through for 30 seconds. Garnish with fresh chives.
   Serve immediately in the pan or on a platter.
   Mark as complete

10. Serve

    Serve with a starchy side like mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
    Pair with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
    Mark as complete

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Serving Size 1 chicken breast with sauce

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 580kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 35gg54%

Saturated Fat 18gg90%

Trans Fat 1gg

Cholesterol 165mgmg56%

Sodium 720mgmg30%

Potassium 680mgmg20%

Total Carbohydrate 14gg5%

Dietary Fiber 2gg8%

Sugars 5gg

Protein 42gg84%

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Calcium 220mg mg

Iron 2.1mg mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

• Chicken Thighs: You can use boneless thigh fillets instead. Pound them slightly for even cooking.
• Wine Substitute: If avoiding alcohol, replace wine with extra chicken stock and add 1 tsp balsamic vinegar for depth.
• Lighter Version: Use evaporated milk instead of heavy cream to reduce calories by ~30% while maintaining creaminess.
• Make It Gluten-Free: Swap flour with cornstarch or a 1:1 GF flour blend.
• Serving Suggestions: Excellent with mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, polenta, or crusty bread. Add a side of steamed greens or a fresh salad.
• Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove to preserve texture.
• Freezing: Freeze without cream for best results. Add cream when reheating.

Keywords: chicken breast, creamy mushroom sauce, easy chicken recipe, one pan chicken, 20-minute dinner, weeknight chicken, parmesan mushroom sauce