Introduction
If you’re looking for a chicken delicious recipe that feels both refined and deeply comforting, this creamy white wine chicken is the answer. It combines pan-seared chicken breasts with a velvety mushroom white wine sauce, laced with garlic, herbs, and cream for a dish that feels straight off a restaurant menu—yet it’s entirely achievable at home.
This dish fits effortlessly into chicken menu ideas or elegant plated meals, perfect for special dinners or cozy weekend cooking. The aroma of garlic, wine, and thyme filling your kitchen is half the magic—while the rich, silky sauce over golden chicken delivers that unforgettable “comfort with class” experience.
Ingredients Overview
Each element in this dish plays a specific role—layering flavor, creating texture, and bringing a sense of occasion to every bite.
Chicken
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Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Thinly sliced or pounded for even cooking and golden searing.
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Optional: Use chicken thighs for juicier texture and deeper flavor.
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Light seasoning is all you need—salt, pepper, and a light dusting of flour for crust and sauce thickening.
Mushrooms
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Cremini or White Button Mushrooms: Earthy and tender, they absorb the wine and cream beautifully.
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Sautéed until golden for the best flavor depth.
Garlic & Onion
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These aromatics form the base of the sauce, adding sweetness and depth. Shallots work beautifully too.
White Wine
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Dry White Wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay adds acidity and aroma to balance the richness of the cream.
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If avoiding alcohol, use chicken broth with a splash of white wine vinegar or lemon juice.
Cream
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Heavy Cream or Half-and-Half creates that luxurious, silky finish.
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For a lighter option, use evaporated milk or a mixture of broth and Greek yogurt (stirred in at the end).
Herbs & Seasonings
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Fresh Thyme or Rosemary: Fragrant and warming, ideal for this classic French-style dish.
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Salt, Black Pepper, and a Touch of Dijon Mustard (optional): Boosts depth and balance.
Garnish
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Fresh Parsley or Chives for color and brightness before serving.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken
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Slice 2 large chicken breasts in half horizontally to make 4 thinner cutlets.
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Season with salt and pepper, then lightly dredge in flour (about ¼ cup total).
2. Sear the Chicken
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Heat 2 tbsp olive oil or 1 tbsp oil + 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
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Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (165°F internal temp).
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Remove and set aside on a plate.
3. Sauté Aromatics & Mushrooms
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In the same pan, add:
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1 tbsp butter
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8 oz sliced mushrooms
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Cook until browned and tender (5–6 minutes).
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Add 2 minced garlic cloves and ½ small diced onion or 2 minced shallots, sauté until soft.
4. Deglaze with White Wine
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Pour in ½ cup dry white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
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Simmer for 2–3 minutes until wine is reduced by half.
5. Make the Cream Sauce
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Lower the heat and stir in:
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¾ cup heavy cream
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1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, for extra complexity)
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1 tsp fresh thyme leaves or ½ tsp dried
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Simmer for 3–4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
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Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
6. Return Chicken to the Pan
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Nestle the seared chicken into the sauce.
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Spoon sauce over the top and simmer gently for another 2–3 minutes to meld flavors.
7. Garnish & Serve
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Top with fresh parsley, cracked pepper, and optional lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon juice.
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Serve hot with your favorite side dish.
Tips, Variations & Substitutions
Cooking Tips:
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Pound chicken evenly for faster, more even cooking.
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Don’t overcrowd the pan when searing—work in batches if needed.
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Deglaze thoroughly—those golden brown bits add serious flavor to the sauce.
Variations:
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Add baby spinach to the sauce in the last few minutes for a pop of color and nutrients.
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Use mushrooms only for a vegetarian sauce (served over pasta or polenta).
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Finish with Parmesan for extra depth and richness.
Substitutions:
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No wine? Use chicken broth + 1 tbsp lemon juice or white wine vinegar.
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Dairy-Free? Use coconut cream instead of dairy cream, and olive oil instead of butter.
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Thicker sauce? Add a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water) at the end if needed.
Serving Ideas & Occasions
This dish pairs beautifully with simple sides that allow the sauce to shine.
Best Side Pairings:
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Mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles to soak up the creamy sauce
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Steamed green beans or asparagus
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Crusty bread or garlic baguette
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Cauliflower mash or zoodles for a low-carb option
Occasions:
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Date night at home
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Dinner party main course
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Holiday gatherings
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Comforting weekend meal
It’s elegant enough for guests, yet simple enough for a cozy family dinner.
Nutritional & Health Notes
This creamy white wine chicken is:
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High in protein from lean chicken
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Rich in calcium and fat from cream and mushrooms
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Can be adjusted to be low-carb or gluten-free with a few tweaks
To lighten it up:
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Use half-and-half or evaporated milk
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Skip flour coating or use gluten-free flour
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Add extra vegetables like spinach or zucchini for fiber
It’s a dish that satisfies both the comfort food craving and the need for a meal that feels balanced and nourishing.
FAQs
Q1: Can I make this ahead of time?
A1: Yes, though it’s best fresh. Cook the chicken and make the sauce separately, then combine and reheat gently before serving to preserve texture.
Q2: What wine works best for this dish?
A2: Use a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay. Avoid sweet wines—they overpower the savory sauce.
Q3: Can I freeze creamy white wine chicken?
A3: It’s not ideal, as cream sauces can separate when frozen. For best results, enjoy within 3–4 days refrigerated.
Q4: What mushrooms are best?
A4: Cremini or white button are classic. For deeper umami, try shiitake or a wild mushroom blend.
Q5: Can I use chicken thighs?
A5: Absolutely! Skinless boneless thighs are juicy and flavorful. Adjust cooking time as needed—ensure they reach 165°F.
Q6: Can I use milk instead of cream?
A6: Whole milk can work, but the sauce will be thinner. You can thicken it slightly with a slurry or use a mix of milk and sour cream or Greek yogurt.
Q7: What herbs go best in the sauce?
A7: Fresh thyme, parsley, and rosemary are ideal. Tarragon also works well if you want a French bistro-style finish.
Print
Chicken Delicious Recipe – Creamy White Wine Chicken
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Creamy white wine chicken with mushrooms and herbs—an elegant, comforting dish with pan-seared chicken in a rich, garlic-infused sauce that’s perfect for dinners at home.
Ingredients
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2 large boneless chicken breasts, halved
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Salt & black pepper
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¼ cup flour, for dredging
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2 tbsp olive oil or butter (divided)
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8 oz mushrooms, sliced
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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½ onion or 2 shallots, minced
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½ cup dry white wine
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¾ cup heavy cream
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1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
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1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
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Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
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Slice and season chicken, dredge lightly in flour.
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Sear chicken in olive oil/butter until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
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Sauté mushrooms, onion, and garlic until soft.
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Deglaze with white wine, simmer 2–3 minutes.
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Stir in cream, thyme, and Dijon. Simmer to thicken.
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Return chicken to pan, spoon sauce over, and cook 2–3 minutes.
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Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Use broth + lemon juice if avoiding wine. Add spinach or Parmesan for extra richness. Serve with mashed potatoes, pasta, or steamed vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main
- Cuisine: French-Inspired, Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Calories: ~430 per serving