A hearty and flavor-packed skillet meal, this Creamy Mushroom Chicken is all about tender, seasoned chicken breasts smothered in a velvety mushroom-cream sauce. I add sun-dried tomatoes, briny olives, and fresh spinach to give it layers of richness and color, making it an ideal dinner for a cozy weeknight or when I want something satisfying and quick.
Ingredients
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
⅓ cup all‑purpose flour
1 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons dried thyme, divided
2 teaspoons dried oregano, divided
1 teaspoon sea salt, divided
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced in half lengthwise)
4 Tbsp olive oil, divided
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup sun‑dried tomatoes (chopped)
⅓ cup Kalamata olives (sliced)
2 cups mushrooms (cremini or your choice)
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup chicken stock
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups fresh baby spinach
Directions
I start by mixing the flour with paprika, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.
I season the sliced chicken breasts separately with the remaining thyme, oregano, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
Then I dredge the chicken in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any extra.
In a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, I heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sear the chicken for 3 to 5 minutes per side until golden. I set it aside once nearly cooked through.
Using the same skillet, I add the remaining olive oil, followed by the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and mushrooms. I sauté everything for 3 to 5 minutes until fragrant and softened.
Next, I pour in the cream and chicken stock, stir in the Parmesan and spinach, and let the sauce simmer until it thickens and the spinach wilts.
I return the chicken to the pan and spoon some sauce over the top, letting everything cook together until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
Finally, I taste and adjust seasoning before serving with extra sauce drizzled over.
Servings and timing
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: ~576 kcal per serving
Variations
I sometimes use boneless chicken thighs for even more tenderness.
For a dairy-free version, I replace the cream with coconut milk and skip the Parmesan.
When I want more veggies, I toss in some sautéed zucchini or bell peppers.
I switch up the herbs with Italian seasoning or fresh basil when I have it on hand.
To make it a little lighter, I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
Storage/Reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I warm the chicken gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock or cream to loosen the sauce. The microwave works too, but I cover it to keep the moisture in and heat in short bursts.
FAQs
How do I keep the chicken from drying out?
I make sure not to overcook it during the sear — just 3–5 minutes per side. The final cook happens in the sauce, which keeps it juicy.
Can I freeze creamy mushroom chicken?
I usually avoid freezing cream-based sauces since they can separate. But if needed, I freeze the chicken and sauce separately and stir well when reheating.
What’s the best mushroom to use?
I prefer cremini mushrooms for their deep flavor, but white button, shiitake, or a mix all work well.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, I often prep everything up to the sauce step in advance. Then I just reheat the sauce, add the chicken, and finish cooking when ready to eat.
What can I serve this with?
I like serving it over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta — something that soaks up the sauce. A slice of crusty bread also works great.
Conclusion
This Creamy Mushroom Chicken recipe brings together comfort, bold flavors, and convenience all in one pan. It’s a dish I come back to often when I want something both hearty and simple. Whether for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering, it always hits the spot.
Recipe:
Creamy Mushroom Chicken
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- Author: Cheryl
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
A hearty and flavorful one-pan meal featuring juicy chicken breasts in a creamy mushroom sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and spinach — perfect for a quick, satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
⅓ cup all‑purpose flour
1 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons dried thyme, divided
2 teaspoons dried oregano, divided
1 teaspoon sea salt, divided
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced in half lengthwise)
4 Tbsp olive oil, divided
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup sun‑dried tomatoes (chopped)
⅓ cup Kalamata olives (sliced)
2 cups mushrooms (cremini or your choice)
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup chicken stock
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, mix the flour with paprika, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
- Season the sliced chicken breasts with the remaining thyme, oregano, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
- Dredge the chicken in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off the excess.
- In a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sear the chicken for 3 to 5 minutes per side until golden. Set aside once nearly cooked through.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and mushrooms. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken stock, stir in the Parmesan cheese and spinach, and let the sauce simmer until it thickens and the spinach wilts.
- Return the chicken to the pan and spoon sauce over the top. Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Drizzle with extra sauce as desired.
Notes
For extra tenderness, substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts.
Use coconut milk and skip Parmesan for a dairy-free version.
Add sautéed zucchini or bell peppers for more vegetables.
Swap herbs with Italian seasoning or fresh basil.
Use half-and-half for a lighter sauce.
Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days; reheat gently with added cream or stock.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 576
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 50g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
