📝 Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Bake
Tender chicken baked in a creamy garlic mushroom sauce, topped with melty cheese — it’s pure comfort food! Serve with rice, pasta, or crusty bread.
🍗 Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless – cut into chunks or strips)
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups mushrooms, sliced (cremini, button, or mixed)
- 1 tsp thyme (dried or fresh)
- 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp flour (for thickening)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
🍳 Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chicken pieces, season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Sear until golden (about 3–4 min per side). Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté onions for 2 min, then add garlic and mushrooms. Cook until mushrooms release liquid and soften (5–6 min).
- Sprinkle in the flour, stir well to coat mushrooms.
- Pour in chicken broth and stir until slightly thickened. Add cream, thyme, and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Return the chicken to the skillet. Stir everything together.
- Transfer mixture into a baking dish.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot!
🧠 Chef’s Notes
- For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine when cooking mushrooms.
- Add spinach or broccoli before baking for a veggie boost.
- Want a low-carb option? Serve with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
💡 Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when browning the chicken – it helps get a better sear.
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Swap cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter version (stir it in at the end — do not boil).
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Pasta (penne or fettuccine work great)
- Steamed rice or couscous
- Warm crusty bread
🔢 Nutritional Info (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: 480
- Protein: 36g
- Carbs: 9g
- Fat: 32g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Sugar: 2g
✅ Benefits
- High-protein and satisfying
- Mushrooms provide antioxidants and B-vitamins
- Can be made keto/low-carb friendly
- Comfort food that’s easy to customize
❓Q&A
Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Yes! Assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours ahead. Bake just before serving.
Q: Can I freeze leftovers?
A: Yes, though the sauce may slightly change texture. Reheat gently with a splash of broth.
Q: Can I use chicken thighs?
A: Absolutely. Thighs are juicier and work wonderfully in this recipe.
Q: Is this gluten-free?
A: Use gluten-free flour or skip the flour and reduce the sauce longer to thicken naturally.