If you are searching for a comforting yet elegant dish to add to your dinner repertoire, the Creamy Spinach Mushroom Chicken Recipe is exactly what you need. This dish perfectly balances tender seared chicken breasts with a luscious, garlicky cream sauce enriched by earthy mushrooms and vibrant spinach. Each bite delivers a symphony of flavors and textures that feel indulgent but come together with surprisingly simple ingredients and straightforward steps. Whether making a weeknight family dinner or impressing guests, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Nothing fancy here, just a handful of staple ingredients that each play a crucial role in creating the rich, flavorful magic of this dish. From the savory mushrooms to the creamy Parmesan, every item brings its own unique texture, color, and depth.
- Chicken breasts: Butterflied and evenly pounded for perfect cooking and tenderness.
- Unsalted butter: Essential for rich sautéing and layering flavor without overpowering.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic adds aromatic warmth.
- Yellow onion: Finely minced to meld sweet base notes into the sauce.
- Baby spinach: Offers a fresh green color and a mild, slightly earthy taste.
- Cremini mushrooms: Brown and meaty, they provide a hearty, savory backbone.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Adds just a hint of subtle heat and complexity.
- Dry white wine: Helps deglaze the pan, providing acidity to balance the cream.
- Heavy cream: Creates the velvety, luscious sauce that ties everything together.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated for a nutty, umami-rich kick in the sauce.
- Salt and black pepper: To season perfectly, enhancing all other flavors.
How to Make Creamy Spinach Mushroom Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by cutting your chicken breasts in half lengthwise, almost like butterflying them, but cut all the way through to create two thinner pieces. Then, place these pieces between cling wrap or inside a resealable bag and gently pound them until they’re evenly thick. This step isn’t just about presentation – it ensures they cook quickly and stay juicy throughout.
Step 2: Season and Sear
Pat the chicken dry to get that beautiful golden crust and season it well with salt and pepper. Melt most of your butter in a pan over medium heat and sear the chicken on each side for 4 to 5 minutes. When you see that gorgeous golden brown color and the internal temperature hits 165 degrees Fahrenheit, your chicken is perfectly cooked. Set the chicken aside because the fun sauce is next.
Step 3: Sauté the Mushrooms
In the same pan but without any oil or butter, toss in those sliced cremini mushrooms. This dry sauté technique cooks out excess water and intensifies their flavor – it takes patience, about 5 to 10 minutes, but it’s worth every minute. Once they are browned and beautiful, remove them and set them aside as well.
Step 4: Build Your Sauce Base
Clean out the pan to get rid of any burnt bits. Then melt the remaining butter and add your minced onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Sauté for about five minutes until everything is softened and fragrant. This mix builds the flavor foundation for your creamy sauce and fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas.
Step 5: Deglaze and Simmer
Pour in the white wine, or chicken stock with a squeeze of lemon if you prefer, and let the skillet simmer gently. This step loosens the flavorful browned bits stuck at the bottom and reduces the liquid by half, concentrating that tangy brightness and balancing the creaminess to come.
Step 6: Create the Creamy Sauce
Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Let it thicken slowly, stirring as it transforms into a luscious, velvety sauce. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Then add freshly grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and fully incorporated, giving your sauce a sharp, nutty bite that lifts the whole dish.
Step 7: Finish with Spinach and Mushrooms
Gently fold in the sautéed mushrooms and baby spinach. Allow everything to simmer together for a minute or two until the spinach wilts perfectly in the warm sauce. Your sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and packed with flavor.
Step 8: Combine and Serve
Return the chicken breasts to the pan, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Let them warm through gently for a couple of minutes so they soak up even more flavor. Then you’re ready to plate up this incredible Creamy Spinach Mushroom Chicken Recipe!
How to Serve Creamy Spinach Mushroom Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chopped chives adds a pop of color and freshness that contrasts beautifully with the rich cream sauce. For extra decadence, a small drizzle of truffle oil or a few shavings of Parmesan right before serving elevates the whole experience.
Side Dishes
This dish shines when paired with simple sides that soak up its sauce. Think creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or even buttery garlic bread to mop every last bit off the plate. A light side salad with a crisp vinaigrette can brighten things up if you want balance.
Creative Ways to Present
To impress your guests, consider serving the sliced chicken atop a bed of the spinach mushroom sauce in wide shallow bowls. Garnish with a dusting of parmesan and a few whole cremini mushrooms for visual appeal. Alternatively, transform this recipe into a cozy pasta dish by tossing the chicken and sauce with cooked fettuccine or pappardelle for an indulgent twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The sauce may thicken further, so gently stirring in a splash of cream or milk before reheating can restore that gorgeous creaminess.
Freezing
You can freeze this dish, but the texture of the spinach might change slightly. For best results, freeze the chicken and sauce in separate airtight containers and consume within 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent the cream from curdling. Adding a little broth, cream, or milk can loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving if possible to maintain the best texture.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs stay juicy and add a bit more flavor. Just adjust cooking time slightly to ensure they’re cooked through.
What can I substitute for white wine?
If you prefer no alcohol, chicken stock combined with a splash of lemon juice captures similar acidity and flavor.
Is it possible to make this dairy-free?
Yes, substitute butter with olive oil, use full-fat coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative, and find a vegan Parmesan substitute to keep a creamy texture.
Can I prepare this dish in advance?
You can cook the chicken and sauce separately and combine them just before serving. However, it’s best enjoyed fresh for optimal texture and flavor.
How spicy is the crushed red pepper flakes?
The amount is minimal and provides just a subtle kick that complements the creamy sauce without overpowering it. You can adjust or omit according to your heat preference.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Spinach Mushroom Chicken Recipe is one of those special dishes that feels like a warm hug on a plate. It’s approachable enough for weeknights but impressive enough to serve for guests who will be eager for the recipe. Once you make it, you’ll find countless reasons to return to this rich, flavorful meal again and again. So grab your ingredients, get cooking, and enjoy every delicious bite!
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Creamy Spinach Mushroom Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Creamy Spinach Mushroom Chicken recipe features tender seared chicken breasts cooked in a rich, flavorful sauce made from sautéed mushrooms, fresh spinach, garlic, onions, white wine, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. It’s a delicious, comforting one-pan meal perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breast (about two large chicken breasts)
- Salt, to taste (about 1/4 tsp plus more as needed)
- Black pepper, to taste
Sauce and Veggies
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 large garlic cloves (minced)
- 1/2 yellow onion (finely minced)
- 2 cups baby spinach (or regular spinach with tough stems removed and roughly chopped)
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms (sliced)
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc, or substitute chicken stock and a squeeze of lemon juice)
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create two equal pieces each. Place them in a gallon-sized zip-top bag, seal, and pound to an even thickness using a meat tenderizer or rolling pin. Alternatively, place between cling wrap before pounding. Pat dry and season evenly with salt and pepper.
- Sauté Mushrooms: Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms without any oil or butter and sauté dry until all moisture has evaporated and mushrooms are golden, about 5-10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Sear Chicken: In the same pan, add 2 tablespoons butter and melt over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Wipe out the pan, then return to medium heat. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Add minced onion, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes until onions soften and become translucent.
- Deglaze Pan: Pour in the white wine to deglaze the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let simmer until the liquid reduces by half.
- Make Cream Sauce: Lower heat to medium-low and add the heavy cream, stirring continuously until a creamy sauce forms. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted into the sauce.
- Add Veggies: Stir the sautéed mushrooms and fresh spinach into the sauce, simmering for 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, warming it through in the sauce for a couple of minutes. Serve immediately, spooning sauce over the chicken.
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute white wine with chicken stock and add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
- Pounding the chicken evenly ensures it cooks uniformly and stays tender.
- Dry sautéing mushrooms releases maximum flavor without becoming soggy.
- Use fresh grated Parmesan cheese for best melting and flavor.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- This dish pairs well with rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
