- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total time
- 40 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 360 kcal
Quick summary
“Skinless chicken thighs browned in a skillet and enveloped in a velvety sauce of sautéed fresh mushrooms. The dish combines homemade broth reduction, minced garlic, fresh heavy cream, and freshly grated parmesan cheese.”
What you need to know
- Quick searing in a heavy skillet retains the juices of the chicken thighs and forms a caramelized fond in the pan.
- Mushrooms browned in unsalted butter release water and concentrate a pronounced umami flavor in the preparation.
- Deglazing with chicken broth releases the browned bits from the bottom, integrating all the aromatic compounds into the sauce.
Ingredients
Main
- units (approx. 600g) Skinless and boneless chicken thighs
- g, sliced Fresh mushrooms (Paris or Crimini)
- cloves, minced Garlic
- cup (120ml) Good quality chicken broth
- cup (120ml) Light fresh heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- cup (30g) Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
- tablespoon Unsalted butter
- tablespoons, for finishing Fresh chopped parsley
- taste Salt
- taste Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Principal
- Prepare the chicken: Start by seasoning the skinless and boneless chicken thighs generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Make sure to cover all sides to ensure the flavor penetrates the meat. This fundamental step prepares the chicken for a perfect sear and a striking flavor.
- Brown the chicken: In a large, heavy skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until it begins to shimmer. Add the chicken thighs and brown for 4-5 minutes per side, until well browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté the mushrooms: In the same skillet, add the unsalted butter. As soon as it melts, add the sliced mushrooms and sauté for 5-7 minutes, until they release their water and begin to brown. The most important tip is not to overcrowd the pan; sauté in batches if necessary.
- Add garlic and deglaze: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for another 1 minute, until aromatic. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a spatula to release all the caramelized residues. These 'bottoms' are the base of the sauce's flavor.
- Create the creamy sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the fresh light cream (or half-and-half) and the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens slightly. The most common mistake is overheating the cream, which can curdle. Keep the heat low.
- Finish and serve: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, turning them in the sauce to coat. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, just to heat the chicken well and allow it to absorb the flavors of the sauce. Finish with fresh chopped parsley on top before serving.
Chef's tips
- Do not stir the mushrooms for the first 3 minutes in the pan so they caramelize instead of steaming.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese on a fine grater so it melts and emulsifies into the heavy cream without forming lumps.
- Return the chicken to the sauce only in the final minute to maintain the tender texture without losing the cooking point of the meat.
Variations
- Version with white wine: deglaze the bottom of the pan with 60 ml of dry white wine before adding the broth.
- Version with leafy greens: Add two cups of fresh spinach leaves to the hot sauce in the last 2 minutes of cooking.
- Mild spicy version: add half a teaspoon of Calabrian chili flakes sautéed with the minced garlic.
Substitutions
- Chicken thighs can be replaced by chicken breast fillets grilled for 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
- Fresh button mushrooms can be substituted with shimeji mushrooms, portobello, or sliced cremini mushrooms.
- The light heavy cream can be substituted with traditional pasteurized heavy cream or fresh culinary cream.
How to store
Keep the chicken with the mushroom sauce in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, take to the skillet over low heat with two tablespoons of water or milk, stirring gently to reactivate the cream.
Can it be frozen?
The dish can be frozen in a suitable container for up to 2 months. As cream and cheese-based sauces can separate slightly after thawing, reheat over low heat stirring with a wire whisk until the smooth texture is reconstituted.
What to serve with
Serve with loose white rice, creamy mashed potatoes with butter, fresh fettuccine pasta, or steamed vegetables.
Frequently asked questions
Why does heavy cream curdle in some sauce preparations?
Boiling heavy cream over high heat with acids curdles the fat; reduce the flame to medium-low before adding the cream.
Can I use canned mushrooms in the recipe?
Prefer fresh ones; if using canned, drain, wash off the brine, and dry well, aware that the flavor and texture will be milder.
What is the best pot to prepare this complete recipe?
Cast iron skillet or stainless steel pot with a thick bottom, which retains steady heat for browning meat and mushrooms.
How to clean fresh mushrooms before slicing?
Clean them delicately with a damp paper towel or culinary brush; never submerge them in water, as they act like sponges.
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