Chicken

Creamy Chicken and Mushrooms

This is the dinner we make when we want something cosy without much fuss. Chicken thighs stay juicy, the mushrooms get properly browned, and cream with thyme pulls everything together into a silky sauce. The secret is not rushing the mushrooms: they need to release their water and fry before anything else goes in.

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Creamy Chicken and Mushrooms — the finished dish
Prep
15 min
Cook
30 min
Total
45 min
Servings
4
Level
Easy
Per serving
390 kcal

Ingredients

  • What to use instead

    Chicken breast works too, but simmer it in the sauce for only 5–6 minutes so it doesn't dry out.

Makes: 4 servings

Method

  1. Step 1: Prep the chicken

    Cut the thighs into large 4–5 cm pieces, pat dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.

  2. Step 2: Sear the chicken

    Heat the oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 3–4 minutes without moving it until golden, then flip and cook 3 minutes more. Transfer to a plate — it may still be undercooked inside, which is fine.

  3. Step 3: Brown the mushrooms

    Add the butter and sliced mushrooms to the same pan. Cook over medium-high heat for 7–8 minutes, stirring only occasionally: first they'll release their liquid, then it'll evaporate and they'll turn golden. Only now season lightly with salt.

  4. Step 4: Add onion and garlic

    Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until soft, then add the garlic and thyme leaves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

  5. Step 5: Add stock and cream

    Pour in the stock and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan — they're full of flavour. Add the cream and bring to a gentle simmer.

  6. Step 6: Simmer the chicken

    Return the chicken and its juices to the pan, lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 8–10 minutes, until the sauce is thick enough to coat a spoon and the chicken is white all the way through (74°C/165°F inside).

  7. Step 7: Season and serve

    Taste the sauce for salt and pepper, scatter with chopped parsley and serve hot.

Tips & variations

  • Tip

    Don't crowd the mushrooms: if your pan is smaller than 28 cm, cook them in two batches or they'll steam instead of browning.

  • Swap

    Chicken breast works too, but simmer it in the sauce for only 5–6 minutes so it doesn't dry out.

  • Variation

    Swap some of the button mushrooms for oyster or wild mushrooms for a deeper flavour.

  • Storage

    Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a spoonful of water.

Nutrition

Approximate nutrition per serving and for the whole dish
1 serving Whole dish 4 servings
Energy390 kcal1,560 kcal
Protein32 g128 g
Fat26 g104 g
Carbohydrates7 g28 g

Approximate values calculated from standard ingredient data.

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