Skillet Chicken And Mushroom Wine Sauce Recipe

Easy Skillet Chicken and Mushroom Wine Sauce Recipe for Tonight

Whipping up a delectable skillet chicken and mushroom wine sauce can turn an ordinary dinner into a memorable culinary adventure.

Succulent chicken pieces sear beautifully in a hot pan, creating golden-brown edges that lock in incredible flavor.

Rich, earthy mushrooms mingle with fragrant herbs, releasing their deep, complex aromas.

wine adds a sophisticated touch, deglazing the pan and infusing the sauce with subtle depth and complexity.

Velvety textures and robust flavors combine effortlessly, promising a restaurant-quality meal right in your kitchen.

Every forkful promises a harmonious blend of tender chicken, umami-packed mushrooms, and a luxurious wine-infused sauce that’ll make you feel like a professional chef.

Cook this dish and savor an elegant dinner that impresses without complicated techniques.

Why This Chicken Mushroom Sauce Recipe Wins

  • Quickly Elevate Dinner: Transform ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy meal with minimal ingredients and simple cooking techniques.
  • Maximize Flavor in One Pan: Develop rich, complex tastes by using the same skillet for searing chicken, sautéing mushrooms, and creating a luxurious wine sauce.
  • Perfect for Impressive Entertaining: Craft a sophisticated dish that looks and tastes gourmet but requires minimal culinary skills, making it ideal for date nights or impressing guests.
  • Versatile Weeknight Wonder: Adaptable recipe that works for both casual family dinners and special occasions, delivering maximum taste with minimal preparation effort.

Ingredients for Skillet Chicken and Mushrooms

Main Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts: A lean and tender cut that provides the main protein for this flavorful skillet dish.
Aromatics and Seasonings:
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the chicken.
  • Garlic: Adds a rich, aromatic depth to the sauce and complements the chicken.
  • Fresh Thyme: Brings a subtle, earthy herb flavor to the dish.
  • Fresh Parsley: Provides a bright, fresh garnish that adds color and light herbal notes.
Cooking Fats and Liquids:
  • Olive Oil, Butter: Creates a rich base for searing chicken and sautéing mushrooms.
  • White Wine: Adds complexity and helps deglaze the pan, releasing flavorful browned bits.
  • Chicken Broth: Provides a savory liquid base for the sauce.
  • Heavy Cream: Gives the sauce a luxurious, smooth texture and rich flavor.
  • Mushrooms: Adds an earthy, umami element to the sauce and complements the chicken.

How to Cook Chicken in Wine Sauce

Step 1: Prep the Poultry

Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, ensuring an even coating that will enhance the overall flavor of the dish.

Step 2: Sizzle and Brown

Heat a combination of olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

Carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts into the hot pan and cook until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust on each side.

Once browned, transfer the chicken to a temporary plate.

Step 3: Mushroom Magic

In the same skillet, add:
  • Sliced mushrooms

Sauté the mushrooms until they become tender and release their delicious earthy aroma.

Next, introduce:
  • Minced garlic

Cook until the garlic becomes wonderfully fragrant and fills the kitchen with its enticing scent.

Step 4: Deglaze and Develop Flavor

Pour white wine into the skillet, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all the delectable browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.

These caramelized pieces will add incredible depth to the sauce.

Step 5: Create the Creamy Sauce

Add to the skillet:
  • Chicken broth
  • Heavy cream
  • Fresh thyme

Stir everything together, creating a rich and velvety sauce that will complement the chicken perfectly.

Step 6: Final Cooking

Gently return the browned chicken breasts to the skillet.

Allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F and the sauce thickens to a luxurious consistency.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top of the dish.

Serve the skillet chicken immediately while it’s warm and the sauce is at its most inviting.

Tips for Wine Sauce Chicken Perfection

  • Pat chicken breasts dry before seasoning to ensure a golden-brown, crispy exterior that locks in moisture.
  • Choose a dry white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc to enhance the sauce's depth without overpowering the dish.
  • Adjust sauce thickness by simmering longer for a richer reduction or adding a splash of broth if it becomes too thick.
  • Use a mix of mushroom varieties like cremini and shiitake for a more complex, earthy flavor profile.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check chicken's internal temperature, ensuring it reaches 165F for safe and juicy results.

Mushroom Sauce Options You Can Explore

  • Gluten-Free Friendly: Replace white wine with gluten-free chicken broth and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or unsweetened almond cream for a lighter sauce.
  • Low-Carb Option: Substitute mushrooms with zucchini or cauliflower and use bone broth instead of regular chicken broth for added nutrition.
  • Herb Variety Remix: Replace thyme with rosemary or tarragon for a different aromatic profile while maintaining the classic chicken and wine sauce technique.

Sides That Fit Mushroom Chicken Recipe

  • Elegant Dinner Party Centerpiece: Arrange the chicken on a large platter surrounded by roasted seasonal vegetables for a stunning presentation that wows guests.
  • Wine Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside a crisp Chardonnay or light Pinot Grigio that complements the creamy mushroom sauce and enhances the dish's delicate flavors.
  • Hearty Side Companions: Pair with creamy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or crusty French bread to soak up the rich, velvety wine sauce and complete the meal.
  • Fresh Herb Finish: Sprinkle extra chopped parsley or fresh thyme leaves just before serving to add a bright, aromatic touch that elevates the overall dish's visual and flavor profile.

Store Chicken in Sauce Without Drying Out

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep chicken and sauce together to maintain moisture and flavor.
  • Transfer cooled chicken and sauce to a freezer-safe container. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing for longer to prevent texture changes.
  • Place chicken and sauce in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warm.
  • Gently warm chicken and sauce in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent sticking. Stir occasionally until heated through.

FAQs

  • What type of wine works best for this sauce?

A dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc is ideal, as they provide a crisp, light flavor that complements the chicken without overpowering the dish.

  • Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work well in this recipe. They tend to be more flavorful and stay juicier, but you’ll need to adjust cooking time to ensure they reach 165F internal temperature.

  • Is there a dairy-free alternative for the heavy cream?

You can substitute heavy cream with coconut cream or a cashew cream for a dairy-free version that still provides a rich, creamy texture to the sauce.

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Skillet Chicken And Mushroom Wine Sauce Recipe

Skillet Chicken And Mushroom Wine Sauce Recipe


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4.6 from 36 reviews

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

Description

Skillet chicken and mushroom wine sauce delivers a classic French-inspired dinner perfect for elegant weeknight meals. Rich pan drippings and white wine create a luxurious sauce that elevates simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality experience you’ll savor.


Ingredients

Scale

Proteins:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 8 ounces (226 grams) mushrooms, sliced

Fats and Cooking Liquids:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup dry white wine (such as Chardonnay)
  • 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream

Seasonings and Aromatics:

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Generously coat chicken breasts with salt and pepper, ensuring even seasoning on both sides.
  2. Warm a blend of olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat, creating a golden searing surface for the chicken.
  3. Carefully place chicken in the skillet, cooking until a rich caramelized exterior develops on each side; transfer to a separate plate.
  4. Using the same skillet, introduce mushrooms and sauté until they release their moisture and turn tender and golden.
  5. Add minced garlic to the mushrooms, stirring continuously to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors.
  6. Pour white wine into the skillet, using a wooden spoon to dissolve the flavorful browned bits clinging to the pan’s surface.
  7. Incorporate chicken broth, heavy cream, and fresh thyme, gently stirring to create a harmonious, creamy sauce.
  8. Carefully return the seared chicken to the skillet, nestling the pieces into the silky sauce.
  9. Reduce heat and allow the mixture to simmer, periodically turning the chicken, until the sauce thickens and reaches a luxurious consistency.
  10. Verify chicken has reached 165°F internal temperature using a meat thermometer.
  11. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish for a vibrant finishing touch.
  12. Serve immediately while the sauce remains warm and inviting.

Notes

  • Opt for high-quality chicken breasts with even thickness to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry edges.
  • Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help achieve a golden-brown sear and develop deeper flavor caramelization.
  • Select cremini or shiitake mushrooms for richer, more robust earthy undertones in the wine sauce.
  • Adjust wine selection based on dietary preferences – use low-sodium broth and dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc for lighter profile or Chardonnay for creamier notes.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 280 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 4 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 38 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg
Amanda Bennett

Amanda Bennett

Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Baking and Pastry Arts, Recipe Testing and Development, Culinary Instruction, Food Styling and Photography

Education

​Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville, NC
​Diploma in Culinary Arts
Emphasized practical cooking skills, nutrition, and kitchen management.​

Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, Cambridge, MA
Certificate in Professional Pastry Arts
Specialized in baking techniques, dessert presentation, and flavor profiling


Amanda’s roots run deep in the Southern hills, where every meal started fresh from the garden and every dessert came with a story. She trained at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and sharpened her pastry skills at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, blending classic technique with everyday charm.
At The Liffey, Amanda’s passion is making baking and home cooking feel natural and joyful. She’s all about single recipes that are simple enough for a busy afternoon, but special enough to make someone’s day a little sweeter.

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