Description
Creamy chicken and mushroom bake brings tender chicken pieces and earthy mushrooms together in a rich, comforting sauce that bakes until everything melds into one delicious dish. Mix your chicken with sautéed mushrooms, cream, and seasonings, then let the oven do the work while you relax before dinner is ready.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 chicken thighs or breasts
Vegetables and seasonings:
- 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Dairy and liquids:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
Instructions
- Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper across your 4 chicken thighs or breasts, then heat 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat until it’s shimmering.
- Place your seasoned chicken in the hot skillet and sear for about 4-5 minutes per side until the exterior turns golden brown, then transfer it to your baking dish.
- Using that same skillet, add your 8 oz sliced fresh mushrooms and cook them over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until they release their moisture and turn golden.
- Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and let them cook for 1 minute so the raw edge disappears.
- Pour 1/2 cup chicken broth into the skillet while scraping up all those flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom with your spoon.
- Add 1 cup heavy cream and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning to your skillet, then let everything simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
- Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese until you get a smooth, combined sauce.
- Pour your creamy sauce over the chicken in the baking dish, then top the whole thing with the remaining 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until your chicken is cooked through and the cheese on top turns golden and bubbly.
- Take your baking dish out of the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before bringing it to your table.
Notes
- Brown the chicken properly on both sides before baking, as this creates a flavorful crust that keeps the meat moist while it finishes cooking in the oven.
- Don’t skip browning the mushrooms until they’re golden; this step removes their moisture and concentrates their earthy flavor into the sauce.
- If your sauce seems too thin after simmering, let it cook uncovered for a few extra minutes before pouring it over the chicken, since it will thicken as it sits.
- For a lighter version, replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt or a mix of low-fat sour cream and milk, though add it after removing the skillet from heat to prevent curdling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Baked Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 530 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg