Skillet Chicken And Mushroom Wine Sauce Recipe

Sizzling Skillet Chicken And Mushroom Wine Sauce Recipe

My grandmother’s secret skillet chicken and mushroom wine sauce always creates magical moments around our dinner table.

Memories of her cooking drift through our kitchen whenever I prepare this dish.

Crisp white wine mingles with earthy mushrooms, creating a luxurious sauce that coats tender chicken perfectly.

Delicate herbs whisper subtle complexity into each bite of this elegant meal.

Complex flavors emerge from simple ingredients, turning an ordinary weeknight dinner into something spectacular.

Skillful technique matters more than elaborate ingredients in this classic recipe.

You will find yourself transported to a cozy French bistro with just one forkful of this delightful creation.

Prepare to savor every incredible bite of this comforting, sophisticated dish.

Skillet Chicken With Wine Sauce You’ll Crave

  • Quick Weeknight Winner: Delivers a sophisticated dinner from start to finish in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy home cooks craving a delicious yet simple meal.
  • Restaurant-Inspired Flavor Boost: Creates a luxurious wine sauce that elevates basic chicken breasts into an impressive dish that tastes like it was prepared by a professional chef.
  • Versatile Serving Options: Offers flexible plating choices with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta, making it adaptable to different taste preferences and pantry ingredients.

Elements In Chicken And Mushroom Wine Sauce

Protein Base:
  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Tender meat that becomes the main protein of the dish, best when fresh and evenly sized for consistent cooking.
  • Chicken Broth: Enhances the sauce depth and adds extra savory chicken flavor.
Aromatic and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Olive Oil, Unsalted Butter: Creates a rich base for sautéing and adds depth to the overall flavor profile.
  • Garlic Cloves: Provides a sharp, aromatic foundation that complements the chicken and mushrooms.
  • Dried Thyme: Adds earthy and slightly minty herb notes to the sauce.
  • Paprika: Introduces a mild, sweet pepper flavor and beautiful color to the dish.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Sauce and Finishing Components:
  • Mushrooms: Adds an earthy, umami texture and flavor to the sauce, cremini or button varieties work best.
  • Dry White Wine: Provides acidity and complexity to the sauce, helps deglaze the pan.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth, rich sauce with a luxurious texture.
  • Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh garnish that adds color and a light herbal finish.

Skillet Chicken In Mushroom Wine Sauce

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and paprika.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2: Golden Sear the Chicken

Place seasoned chicken breasts in the hot skillet.

Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until a beautiful golden brown develops.

Transfer chicken to a separate plate.

Step 3: Sauté Mushroom Magic

In the same skillet, add butter and cook mushrooms until they become wonderfully soft and start releasing their rich, earthy flavors.

This should take about 5 minutes.

Step 4: Aromatics Awakening

Introduce minced garlic to the skillet.

Stir and cook for 1 minute until the kitchen fills with an irresistible fragrant aroma.

Step 5: Wine Deglaze Dance

Pour white wine into the skillet.

Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.

Let the wine simmer for 2 minutes.

Step 6: Create Luxurious Sauce

Add the following ingredients:
  • Chicken broth
  • Heavy cream
  • Dried thyme

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Step 7: Final Cooking

Return the seared chicken to the skillet.

Spoon the creamy sauce over the top.

Cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes, ensuring the chicken is thoroughly cooked.

Step 8: Serve With Flair

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the dish.

Serve alongside mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or your favorite pasta.

Skillet Chicken with Mushroom Wine Sauce Made Simple

  • Select a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio for the best flavor balance in the sauce.
  • Let chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to retain its moisture and juiciness.
  • Pat mushrooms dry before sautéing to achieve perfect golden-brown caramelization instead of steaming.
  • Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version or use low-sodium broth for a lighter meal.
  • If sauce seems too thin, create a quick slurry with cornstarch and water to thicken without altering the rich flavor.

Reheat Chicken Mushroom Wine Sauce With Care

  • Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
  • Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Place chicken and sauce in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Freeze the sauce and chicken separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Plates to Pair with Chicken and Mushroom Wine Sauce

  • Elevate Wine Pairing: Select a crisp Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio that complements the creamy sauce and enhances the chicken's delicate flavors.
  • Flavor-Boosting Side Dish: Serve creamy garlic mashed potatoes to soak up the rich wine sauce, creating a luxurious and harmonious meal experience.
  • Herb-Infused Accompaniment: Add a fresh herb salad with light vinaigrette to cut through the sauce's richness and provide a bright, tangy contrast to the creamy chicken.
  • Textural Contrast: Include roasted asparagus or green beans with toasted almonds to add a crunchy element that balances the dish's soft and smooth sauce.

Chicken and Mushroom Wine Sauce with Elegant Enhancements

  • Low-Carb Cauliflower Base: Replace traditional mashed potatoes or rice with roasted cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower for a keto-friendly alternative that reduces carbohydrate intake.
  • Dairy-Free Option: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or almond cream and use olive oil instead of butter to create a lactose-free version that maintains rich flavor complexity.
  • Herb-Infused Variation: Swap dried thyme with fresh rosemary or tarragon, adding a different aromatic profile and enhancing the sauce's depth while keeping the core cooking technique intact.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use cornstarch instead of traditional flour-based thickeners and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate individuals with wheat sensitivities.

FAQs

  • What wine works best for this sauce?

Dry white wines like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or Chardonnay are perfect. They add bright acidity and complement the creamy mushroom sauce without overpowering the chicken.

  • Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs will work great and often have more flavor. Just adjust cooking time to ensure they’re fully cooked through, typically 15-20 minutes depending on thickness.

  • How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Chicken is safe to eat when it reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part. If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part and ensure the meat is white with no pink.

  • Is there a substitute for heavy cream if I want a lighter version?

Yes, you can use half-and-half, whole milk, or even Greek yogurt for a lighter sauce. Each will change the texture slightly, but still provide a creamy consistency.

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Skillet Chicken And Mushroom Wine Sauce Recipe

Skillet Chicken And Mushroom Wine Sauce Recipe


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4.9 from 12 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Savory “Skillet Chicken and Mushroom Wine Sauce” invites home cooks into a culinary journey of rich French-inspired flavors. Elegant pan-seared chicken melds perfectly with earthy mushrooms and silky wine reduction, delivering a restaurant-quality meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Seasoning and Herbs:

  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Cooking Liquids and Aromatics:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups mushrooms, sliced (such as cremini or button)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

Instructions

  1. Prepare a spacious skillet by warming olive oil over medium heat, creating an ideal searing surface for seasoned chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  2. Carefully place seasoned chicken breasts into the hot skillet, allowing each side to develop a rich golden-brown crust for approximately 4-5 minutes per side.
  3. Transfer browned chicken to a separate plate, preserving the flavorful skillet remnants for the next cooking phase.
  4. Introduce butter to the same skillet, gently sautéing mushrooms until they transform into a tender, caramelized state, releasing their earthy aromatics.
  5. Incorporate minced garlic into the mushroom mixture, stirring continuously to prevent burning and release its intense fragrance.
  6. Splash white wine into the skillet, using the liquid to deglaze and lift the concentrated flavor remnants from the pan’s surface, allowing the wine to reduce and concentrate.
  7. Blend chicken broth, heavy cream, and dried thyme into the developing sauce, creating a luxurious and velvety consistency.
  8. Nestle the previously seared chicken back into the creamy sauce, ensuring each piece is generously coated and gently simmering until fully cooked through.
  9. Finish the dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and serve atop a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or al dente pasta.

Notes

  • Use bone-in chicken breasts for extra flavor and moisture retention during cooking.
  • Wine selection matters for depth of taste; choose a crisp, dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
  • Mushroom variation works great by mixing different types like shiitake, cremini, and button mushrooms for complex earthy flavors.
  • Low-carb adaptation possible by serving over cauliflower mash instead of traditional potatoes, reducing overall carbohydrate content.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
James Walker

James Walker

Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction​

Education

School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations

Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices. ​


James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).

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