Creamy Chicken Forestière

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 30 min
🍽 Serves: 4
★★★★★
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This Creamy Chicken Forestière combines tender chicken with earthy mushrooms and a velvety sauce, making it a comforting and elegant dish. Perfect for a cozy dinner or a special occasion, it’s a delightful way to bring restaurant-quality flavors to your home kitchen.

Ingredients for Creamy Chicken Forestière

Chicken breast is the star of the show, providing a lean protein base that absorbs the sauce beautifully. Butter adds richness and helps brown the chicken to perfection. White button mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms bring a depth of flavor with their earthy notes. Sautéed onion and green bell pepper add sweetness and a hint of peppery freshness. Garlic infuses the dish with its unmistakable aroma. All-purpose flour thickens the sauce, while chicken broth adds savory depth. Heavy cream gives the sauce its creamy texture, and a splash of dry white wine adds sophistication. Seasoning with salt, black pepper, and dried thyme enhances all the flavors, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley adds color and a fresh finish.

Tips & Tricks

  • For deeper flavor, use a mix of mushrooms like cremini or portobello alongside the button and shiitake.
  • Deglaze the pan with a splash more white wine if any fond forms on the bottom after cooking the chicken.
  • If the sauce thickens too much, add a little more chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Creamy Chicken Forestière over a bed of buttery mashed potatoes or alongside a serving of herbed rice to soak up the luscious sauce. A simple side of steamed green beans or a crisp green salad rounds out the meal perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs will add a richer flavor and remain tender during cooking.
What can I use instead of heavy cream?
For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half, though the sauce will be less creamy.
Is there a non-alcoholic substitute for white wine?
You can use additional chicken broth with a splash of white wine vinegar or lemon juice for acidity.

Creamy Chicken Forestière Recipe Walkthrough

Begin by melting the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is bubbly, add the chicken pieces. Cook them until they’re golden brown and cooked through, which should take about 6 to 8 minutes. Once done, remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate.

In the same skillet, toss in the sliced mushrooms, onion, and green bell pepper. Sauté these vegetables until they have softened, which should take around 5 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to cook for another minute, just until it becomes fragrant. This step builds the flavorful base of your dish.

Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables. Stir constantly for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and white wine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook until it thickens, about 5 minutes. You’re looking for a creamy consistency that coats the back of a spoon.

Return the chicken to the skillet. Season the dish with salt, black pepper, and thyme, and let it simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes. This ensures that the chicken absorbs all the wonderful flavors of the sauce. Just before serving, stir in the fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Combines the rich, savory flavors of a classic French dish.
  • Uses everyday ingredients that are easy to find.
  • Quick enough for a weeknight meal but special enough for guests.
  • One-pan preparation minimizes cleanup.

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup white button mushrooms, sliced
1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat and add the chicken pieces. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, add the mushrooms, onion, and green bell pepper. Sauté until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables, stirring constantly for 2 minutes.
4. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, heavy cream, and white wine. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.
5. Return chicken to the skillet, add salt, pepper, and thyme, and simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
6. Stir in fresh parsley just before serving.

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