Description
This Creamy Mushroom Pepper Chicken is a rich and flavorful comfort dish featuring juicy chicken simmered in a creamy sauce with earthy mushrooms and freshly cracked black pepper. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this recipe is versatile, easy to prepare, and sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Creamy Mushroom Pepper Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 oz (225g) cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
- 1 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or white wine for extra flavor)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves)
- Salt to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Season and Sear the Chicken:
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using). Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Mushrooms:
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet. Cook onions for 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in mushrooms and cook for 5–6 minutes until browned.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- Sprinkle cracked black pepper over mushrooms. Pour in chicken broth (or wine) to deglaze the pan. Simmer for 2–3 minutes. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, and thyme. Simmer 2–3 minutes to thicken.
- Cook the Chicken in Sauce:
- Nestle seared chicken into the sauce. Cover and simmer for 8–10 minutes until chicken is fully cooked (165°F internal temperature).
- Garnish and Serve:
- Sprinkle fresh parsley over the dish and serve hot over rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Freshly cracked black pepper is essential for the bold, spicy flavor in this dish.
- Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free option.
- Leftover sauce freezes well—reheat with freshly cooked chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: ~375
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Creamy Mushroom Pepper Chicken, creamy chicken recipe, mushroom chicken, black pepper chicken, chicken dinner recipe, comfort food