Seared Chicken Breast With Mushroom Cream Sauce Recipe

Juicy Seared Chicken Breast With Mushroom Cream Sauce Recipe

Crafting a delectable seared chicken breast with mushroom cream sauce requires skill and passion.

Culinary magic happens when golden-brown poultry meets silky, rich sauce.

Tender meat transforms into a luxurious dining experience with just a few careful techniques.

Mushrooms add depth and earthy complexity to each succulent bite.

Crisp exterior and juicy interior create a perfect contrast that delights the palate.

Professional chefs understand the subtle art of seasoning and timing.

You’ll want to master this restaurant-quality dish that impresses without overwhelming.

Savor every moment of creating this elegant yet approachable meal.

Why Seared Chicken Breast with Mushroom Cream Sauce Tastes Amazing

  • Simplify Cooking Process: Master a professional-level chicken dish with straightforward steps that anyone can follow, transforming basic ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal.
  • Versatile Meal Solution: Perfect for date nights, family dinners, or impressing guests with minimal kitchen skills, this recipe adapts seamlessly to different dining scenarios.
  • Quick Protein Upgrade: Transform ordinary chicken breasts into a luxurious, creamy dish packed with rich flavors and gourmet appeal, elevating your everyday protein routine.
  • Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like mushrooms or wine to match personal preferences, making this recipe flexible for various dietary needs and taste profiles.

What Goes Into Seared Chicken Breast with Mushroom Cream Sauce

For the Proteins:
  • Chicken Breasts: A lean and tender protein that serves as the main star of this delicious dish.
For the Cooking Fats:
  • Olive Oil: Provides a smooth cooking surface and adds a subtle flavor to the chicken.
  • Butter: Creates a rich, creamy base for the sauce and enhances overall flavor.
For the Aromatics and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out the natural taste of the chicken.
  • Shallots, Garlic: Provide a deep, aromatic base that adds complexity to the sauce.
For the Sauce Components:
  • Mushrooms: Add an earthy, umami flavor and create a hearty texture in the cream sauce.
  • White Wine: Optional ingredient that helps deglaze the pan and adds depth to the sauce.
  • Chicken Broth, Heavy Cream: Create a smooth, velvety sauce that coats the chicken beautifully.
For the Garnish:
  • Parsley: Adds a fresh, bright finish and a pop of color to the dish.

Step By Step For Seared Chicken Breast with Mushroom Cream Sauce

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Pat chicken breasts dry completely using paper towels. Season both sides thoroughly with salt and black pepper, making sure the seasoning covers the entire surface evenly.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it’s shimmering and just about to smoke. Carefully place seasoned chicken breasts into the hot skillet. Cook each side until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms, about 5-6 minutes per side. Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 3: Rest the Chicken

Transfer the perfectly seared chicken to a plate. Loosely cover with aluminum foil to keep warm and let the juices redistribute.

Step 4: Create the Flavor Base

Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add butter and let it melt until it begins to foam slightly. Toss in finely chopped shallots and minced garlic. Sauté until they become fragrant and turn translucent, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Step 5: Cook the Mushrooms

Add sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Cook until they release their moisture and develop a rich, caramelized exterior, approximately 4-5 minutes.

Step 6: Enhance the Sauce (Optional)

Deglaze the pan with white wine, using a wooden spoon to scrape up the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

Step 7: Build the Creamy Sauce

Pour in:
  • Chicken broth
  • Heavy cream

Stir to create a smooth, velvety sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.

Step 8: Finish the Dish

Return chicken breasts to the skillet, gently coating them with the luxurious mushroom cream sauce. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for a bright, herbaceous finish.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Serve immediately, drizzling any remaining sauce over the chicken breasts. Pair with your favorite side dishes for a complete meal.

Smart Tips For Seared Chicken Breast with Mushroom Cream Sauce

  • Dry Chicken Perfectly: Pat chicken breasts thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crisp, golden-brown sear.
  • Achieve Ideal Searing Temperature: Wait until olive oil is shimmering and just before smoking point to create a perfect crust without burning.
  • Monitor Chicken Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe, juicy chicken every time.
  • Maximize Flavor Potential: Deglaze the pan with white wine to capture delicious browned bits, adding depth and richness to the mushroom cream sauce.
  • Prevent Sauce Separation: Simmer cream sauce gently for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously to maintain a smooth, velvety texture without curdling.

Flavor Ideas For Seared Chicken Breast with Mushroom Cream Sauce

  • Protein Swap Chicken: Replace chicken breasts with turkey or pork tenderloin, maintaining identical cooking method and seasoning for a similar flavor profile.
  • Low-Carb Creamy Option: Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and add cauliflower rice as a complementary side dish to reduce carbohydrate intake.
  • Mediterranean Herb Variation: Incorporate dried oregano, thyme, and rosemary into the seasoning blend, then finish with crumbled feta cheese and kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired presentation.
  • Dairy-Free Alternative: Use ghee instead of butter, replace heavy cream with unsweetened almond milk, and add nutritional yeast for a creamy texture without dairy components.

Best Pairings For Seared Chicken Breast with Mushroom Cream Sauce

  • Pair Perfectly with Crisp White Wine: Select a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the creamy mushroom sauce, cutting through its richness while enhancing the chicken's delicate flavors.
  • Create Harmony with Earthy Side Dishes: Roasted asparagus or wild rice pilaf will mirror the mushrooms' deep, savory notes and provide a balanced texture alongside the tender chicken.
  • Match with Crusty Artisan Bread: Serve warm, rustic sourdough or French baguette to soak up the luxurious cream sauce, transforming every bite into a delightful culinary experience.
  • Elevate with Light Herbal Salad: Prepare a fresh mixed greens salad with a light vinaigrette to contrast the dish's richness and provide a crisp, refreshing counterpoint to the creamy chicken.

How To Store Seared Chicken Breast with Mushroom Cream Sauce

  • Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain texture.
  • Wrap individual chicken breasts tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
  • Place chicken on microwave-safe plate, add splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Cover with damp paper towel, heat in 30-second intervals until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Stir sauce halfway through to distribute heat evenly.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken in baking dish, splash small amount of broth or cream sauce. Cover with foil to retain moisture.

Your Questions About Seared Chicken Breast with Mushroom Cream Sauce

  • What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal. They cook evenly and absorb the mushroom cream sauce perfectly.

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

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F. This ensures the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.

  • Can I substitute the heavy cream?

Yes, you can use half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce won’t be as rich and creamy. For a lighter version, try using Greek yogurt.

  • What if I don't have white wine?

No problem. You can skip the wine or substitute with chicken broth or a splash of apple cider vinegar to add depth to the sauce.

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Seared Chicken Breast With Mushroom Cream Sauce Recipe

Seared Chicken Breast With Mushroom Cream Sauce Recipe


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4.9 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Description

Succulent seared chicken breast with mushroom cream sauce delivers French-inspired comfort on a plate. Silky sauce and perfectly golden chicken create a restaurant-quality meal you’ll savor with each creamy, indulgent bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper

Mushroom and Aromatics:

  • 8 oz white button mushrooms
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 small shallot

Sauce and Finishing:

  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 0.25 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley
  • 1 tbsp white wine (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then generously season both sides with salt and black pepper, ensuring even coverage.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and just before smoking point.
  3. Carefully place seasoned chicken breasts into hot skillet, allowing each side to develop a golden-brown crust, approximately 5-6 minutes per side. Chicken internal temperature should reach 165°F.
  4. Remove perfectly seared chicken from skillet, transfer to a plate, and loosely tent with aluminum foil to retain warmth.
  5. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add butter, allowing it to melt and slightly foam.
  6. Quickly sauté finely chopped shallots and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
  7. Add sliced mushrooms to the skillet, cooking until they release moisture and develop a rich, caramelized exterior, approximately 4-5 minutes.
  8. Optional: Deglaze the pan with white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
  9. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to create a smooth, velvety sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  10. Return chicken breasts to the skillet, gently coating them with the luxurious mushroom cream sauce.
  11. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, adding a bright, herbaceous finish to the dish.
  12. Serve immediately, drizzling any remaining sauce over the chicken breasts.

Notes

  • Create a perfectly crisp chicken exterior by thoroughly patting the breasts dry before seasoning, which helps achieve golden-brown searing without steaming.
  • Monitor skillet temperature carefully to prevent burning; medium-high heat ensures even browning and locks in juicy chicken moisture.
  • For gluten-free adaptation, replace standard flour with almond or cornstarch when thickening the sauce, maintaining the creamy texture without wheat products.
  • Transform this dish into a lighter version by substituting heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk, reducing overall calorie content while preserving rich flavor profiles.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2
  • Calories: 550
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 670mg
  • Fat: 38g
  • Saturated Fat: 21g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 8g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 42g
  • Cholesterol: 145mg
Olivia Brooks

Olivia Brooks

Contributing Writer

Expertise

  • Healthy recipe development
  • Plant-based cooking
  • Nutritional analysis
  • Food writing and content creation

Education

Culinary Institute of America
Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate Program
Focus: Culinary fundamentals, nutrition, and healthy cooking technique


Olivia believes good food should feed both the body and the soul. She earned her Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate from the Culinary Institute of America, where she focused on nutrition and practical cooking techniques that make healthy eating easy.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Olivia shares single-serving recipes that are fresh, plant-forward, and full of heart. She loves helping people eat better, without stress, strict rules, or sacrificing flavor.
Beyond the kitchen, Olivia spends her time tending her backyard garden, practicing yoga, and discovering hidden gems in Portland’s food scene.

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