Description
A silky, restaurant-style skillet supper: golden chicken nestled in a mushroom-studded, white-wine cream sauce finished with sharp Asiago.
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or swap with thighs for richer flavor)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour seasoned with salt and black pepper
For the sauce
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced (white button or cremini)
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 fresh thyme sprigs (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
- ½ cup dry white wine (or use low-sodium chicken stock)
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 Tbsp olive oil (+ a little extra if needed)
- 1 cup heavy cream (half-and-half works in a pinch)
- 1 cup Asiago cheese, freshly grated (Parmesan or Romano may substitute)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
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Even the chicken. Pat the chicken dry and, using a meat mallet or rolling pin, flatten each breast to an even thickness (about ¼–½ inch). Cut into portions if you prefer smaller pieces. Season the seasoned flour and lightly coat each piece, shaking off excess.
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Brown the chicken. Heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When foaming, add the chicken and sear until a deep golden crust forms, roughly 4–5 minutes per side. Work in batches if the pan is crowded. Transfer the browned chicken to a plate and set aside.
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Cook the mushrooms and garlic. Reduce heat to medium and add a touch more oil if the pan looks dry. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they release their liquid and begin to caramelize (about 4–5 minutes). Stir in the garlic for the last 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
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Deglaze the pan. Pour in the white wine and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Let the wine bubble and reduce for a minute or two so the flavor concentrates.
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Add herbs and simmer. Toss in the thyme sprigs, return the chicken to the skillet, and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cover, lower the heat, and cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (about 10–15 minutes, depending on thickness).
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Finish the sauce. Remove the chicken to a warm plate. Stir the heavy cream into the mushroom pan and heat gently. Add the grated Asiago and stir over low heat until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens to a silky consistency (3–5 minutes). Taste and season with salt and pepper.
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Bring it together. Nestle the chicken back into the sauce briefly to heat through. Serve straight from the skillet, finished with extra grated Asiago or a few thyme leaves.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the cream. Keep heat low when adding cream and cheese to prevent separation.
- Freshly grate the cheese. Asiago from the block melts far better than pre-shredded blends.
- Pound for even cooking. Flattening the breasts prevents dry edges and underdone centers.
- Swaps: Use chicken thighs, pork chops, or even large portobello caps as alternatives.
- If the sauce thickens too much, thin with a splash of chicken stock or reserved pasta water.
Serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, rice, or quinoa and garnish with a little extra Asiago and a crack of black pepper.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 180mg