Cream of Mushroom Chicken

This cream of mushroom chicken is an easy skillet dinner made from tender and juicy chicken pieces cooked in rich and savory homemade mushroom gravy. 

Easy Cream of Mushroom Chicken Dinner

This cream of mushroom chicken is so easy and SO full of flavor! With juicy seasoned chicken tenders and the creamiest homemade mushroom gravy, it’s one of my family’s favorite dinners. Better yet, it’s cooked all in one pan (in the style of chicken marsala) and has tons of rich, creamy, earthy flavor (similar to my chicken stroganoff). You’re not going to believe how quickly it comes together, and there’s no canned soup in this recipe. Serve this juicy chicken with cream of mushroom over pasta, rice, or veggies, and you have a wholesome dinner that the whole family loves.

Why You’ll Love This Cream of Mushroom Chicken Recipe

• Quick. This cream of mushroom chicken recipe takes about 40 minutes to make, start to finish. It has easy ingredients. Since it’s made on the stovetop, it’s perfect for nights when you don’t feel like switching on the oven!
• Homemade. The flavor of this homemade mushroom gravy is, in a word, amazing. Fresh, creamy, and seasoned with onions and garlic, it coats every inch of juicy chicken in the pan.
• Versatile. With some simple tweaks, you can adapt this recipe to make it dairy-free. If you’re pressed for time, you can always make this easy chicken recipe with a can of mushroom soup, too (instructions on the recipe card).

Recipe Ingredients

Let’s get started with a short overview of the ingredients you’ll need to make this cream of mushroom chicken. As always, you’ll find the full ingredients list, amounts, and recipe details in the recipe card below the post.

• Chicken – I recommend chicken tenders because they cook quickly but any cut of chicken works here. Just note that different kinds of chicken, ie. thighs, breasts, etc. require different cooking times.
• Cornstarch – Tossing the chicken with cornstarch helps tenderize the meat and creates a crispy coating when it’s pan-fried. I use this same technique in my easy beef stir fry recipe. You can also use arrowroot powder.
• Seasonings – The chicken is seasoned with pantry items: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika (smoked or sweet), thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Olive Oil – Choose a good quality extra virgin olive oil, or another cooking oil, for sautéeing.
• Butter – Unsalted butter helps to better control the saltiness of the dish.
• Onion – I usually use yellow or cooking onions. They store well in the pantry and are inexpensive. They usually have a finer texture than sweet onions.
• Mushrooms – You can use any kind of mushrooms you’d like. Good options are white or brown mushrooms, cremini, portobello, or try an exotic variety like shiitake mushrooms.
• Garlic – Adapt the amount of garlic used to your preferences.
• Flour – All-purpose flour is used as thickening agent for the sauce.
• Broth – I recommend reduced-sodium chicken broth or stock. Vegetable broth also works.
• Heavy Cream – You can also use whole milk or half-and-half. To make this recipe dairy-free, use coconut milk or your preferred dairy-free milk alternative.
• Fresh Parsley – An optional garnish, fresh parsley adds a bright herbal note.

How to Make Cream of Mushroom Chicken

With just a little prep and one pan, you can have this delicious chicken dinner on the table in about 40 minutes:

Season the chicken. First, whisk together the cornstarch and seasonings and rub the mixture over the chicken tenders.

Cook the chicken. Next, sauté the chicken tenders in a large skillet with oil until they’re nicely browned and cooked through. This should take about 3 to 5 minutes per side depending on the size and thickness of your chicken pieces. Afterward, remove the chicken from the pan and tent it with foil to keep it warm.

Sauté the onions and mushrooms. In the same skillet, cook the onions and mushrooms in a bit of butter until they’re softened. Stir in the garlic.

Make the sauce. Sprinkle in the flour and let it cook off with the veggies and butter for a minute or two. This creates what’s called a “roux”, forming the base for your creamy gravy. Gradually add the chicken broth and lastly, the heavy cream, stirring constantly. Season the sauce to taste and let it simmer over low heat until it thickens a bit.

Combine. Nestle the chicken tenders back into the pan. On low heat, continue to simmer your cream of mushroom chicken for another 5 minutes to let the flavors mingle. Finally, do a last seasoning check and then garnish with parsley for serving.

Can I Use Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup Instead?

Yes! If you’re in a hurry (we’ve all been there), feel free to replace the mushroom sauce ingredients with a can of condensed mushroom soup. Follow the directions for seasoning and browning the chicken as written, then add the soup to the pan and simmer until it’s heated through. You’ll likely need to add water or milk to help thin out the soup.

Tips for Success

Everyone needs a go-to, easy-to-make, weeknight-friendly chicken recipe, and this one has you covered. If you need some extra guidance, keep these final tips handy:

• Don’t rinse the skillet! You don’t need to rinse the pan in between browning the chicken and preparing the mushroom gravy. All those leftover stuck-on bits add loads of flavor.
• Test the chicken for doneness. Chicken is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165ºF on an instant-read thermometer. Try not to overcook the chicken.
• Simmer the sauce. Make sure that you don’t have your pan over too high heat when you add the cream. It also helps to take the heavy cream out of the fridge about 15 minutes ahead. Cold cream in a piping hot pan can split or curdle.
• The sauce thickens after you add the chicken. Don’t worry if it still looks a bit loose after you’ve stirred in the cream.

Make This Chicken Recipe Your Own

This recipe is easy to adapt to the ingredients you have on hand. Try these variation ideas:

• Different kinds of chicken. Make this recipe with boneless chicken thighs, or chicken breast halves. You can also use bone-in chicken, though it will take longer to cook. Use an instant-read thermometer to check that your chicken is done (165ºF).
• Different seasonings. Try tossing this chicken in Italian seasoning or my homemade all-purpose seasoning. For an extra kick, try Cajun seasoning.
• Vegetarian. Replace the chicken tenders with tofu, tempeh, or vegetables, and substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth.
• Dairy-free. Substitute olive oil for the butter and use coconut milk, unflavored almond milk, or another dairy-free alternative in place of heavy cream.
• More veggies. Bulk up this chicken dinner with additional chopped vegetables and greens, like bell peppers, carrots, zucchini, spinach, or kale.

What to Serve With Cream of Mushroom Chicken

Cream of mushroom chicken always hits the spot no matter the day of the week or the season! Serve this flavorful chicken over pasta, egg noodles, rice, or baked potatoes for a well-rounded dinner. If you’re entertaining, serve this creamy chicken over polenta.

A side of steamed broccoli, sautéed Brussels sprouts, or air fryer green beans goes well with this meal. And who can resist warm homemade bread for mopping up the extra sauce? For a lighter side, try an easy arugula salad.

Storing & Reheating Leftovers

• Fridge/Freezer. Store any leftover cream of mushroom chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Freeze this chicken airtight for up to 3 months. Thaw the leftovers in the fridge overnight before reheating.
• Reheating. Warm the chicken and sauce gently on the stovetop, or in the microwave, until hot throughout.