Ina Garten’s Cozy Chicken With Mushrooms Recipe for Comfort

Ina Garten chicken with mushrooms transforms an ordinary weeknight meal into a culinary adventure that promises sophistication and comfort.

Sophisticated home cooks appreciate how this dish elevates simple ingredients through masterful technique and carefully balanced flavors.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance together, creating layers of depth that tantalize the palate with each perfectly seasoned bite.

Delicate mushrooms infuse the chicken with an earthy richness that feels simultaneously rustic and refined.

Wine-based sauces add complexity and nuance, turning a basic protein into something truly memorable.

Fragrant herbs and robust aromatics whisper stories of French country kitchens and intimate dinner parties.

Skillful preparation turns humble ingredients into a restaurant-quality experience that feels both accessible and impressive: get ready to wow your dinner guests.

Why Chicken with Mushrooms Feels Extra Cozy

• Elevate Comfort Cooking: Ina Garten's chicken with mushrooms transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish that feels luxurious yet incredibly approachable for home cooks.
• Deeply Layered Flavor Profile: The combination of sherry, wine, and rich mushrooms creates a complex, umami-packed sauce that infuses every bite of tender chicken with extraordinary depth and warmth.
• One-Pot Culinary Magic: This recipe minimizes kitchen cleanup while maximizing gourmet potential, allowing cooks to create an impressive meal with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness using just a single ovenproof pot.
• Foolproof Technique for Success: The slow braising method guarantees perfectly cooked, juicy chicken that falls apart beautifully, making it nearly impossible to mess up even for less experienced home chefs.

Ingredients Behind the Creamy Chicken Dish

• Chicken: Bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces with rich flavor and tender meat, preferably from a high-quality source.

• Mushrooms: Fresh, earthy mushrooms that add deep umami flavor and meaty texture to the dish.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves for aromatic base and rich, pungent flavor profile.
• Thyme: Fresh herb with subtle, woodsy notes that complements chicken and mushrooms.

• Olive Oil: High-quality oil for browning chicken and sautéing vegetables with smooth, rich taste.
• Sherry: Dry wine that adds complex depth and helps deglaze the pot.
• White Wine: Adds acidity and enhances overall sauce complexity.
• Chicken Stock: Rich, flavorful liquid that forms the base of the sauce.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing and balancing flavors.

• All-Purpose Flour: Used for dredging chicken and thickening the sauce, creating a smooth texture.
• Butter: Unsalted butter to enrich sauce and provide silky finish.

Simple Method for Chicken and Mushrooms

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Set your oven to 325°F. Ensure the rack is in the center position for even cooking.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken

• Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels
• Season generously with salt and pepper
• Coat chicken in flour, shaking off excess

Step 3: Sear The Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat

Brown chicken pieces on all sides until golden

• Each side takes about 3-4 minutes

Remove chicken and set aside on a plate

Step 4: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Whole garlic cloves
• Fresh mushrooms
• Fresh thyme sprigs

Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until mushrooms start to release their moisture

Step 5: Build Flavor Foundation

Pour in sherry, scraping bottom of pot to release delicious browned bits

Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes

Step 6: Create Liquid Base

• White wine
• Chicken stock
• Salt
• Black pepper

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Return chicken pieces to the pot

Cover with a tight-fitting lid

Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until chicken is fully cooked

Step 8: Develop Luxurious Sauce

Remove chicken from pot

Discard thyme sprigs

Create a butter-flour mixture

Whisk into sauce

Simmer and stir for 5 minutes until sauce thickens

Step 9: Final Touches

Taste and adjust seasoning

Return chicken to pot

Coat chicken pieces with rich, velvety sauce

Serve immediately with crusty bread or over rice

Serving Suggestion: Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and added freshness.

Tips for Juicy Chicken and Savory Sauce

• Perfectly Brown Chicken: Pat the chicken dry completely to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crispy, golden exterior when seared in the pan.
• Mushroom Variety Matters: Combine different mushroom types like shiitake, cremini, and oyster for a rich, complex flavor profile that adds depth to the dish.
• Control Your Cooking Heat: Maintain a medium-high temperature to achieve beautiful caramelization without burning the chicken or mushrooms.
• Roux Magic for Smooth Sauce: Create a classic butter and flour roux before adding liquid to guarantee a silky, lump-free sauce with incredible texture.
• Prep Work Saves Time: Chop mushrooms and measure ingredients beforehand, allowing you to focus on cooking and creating a delicious meal without stress.

Storing Leftover Mushroom Chicken

• Freezer Preservation: Portion individual servings in freezer-safe containers to maintain optimal flavor and texture. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil for maximum protection against freezer burn. Label containers with date and contents for easy tracking.
• Flavor Retention: Cool chicken completely before storing to prevent moisture buildup and potential bacterial growth. Transfer to airtight glass containers which seal better than plastic and prevent flavor transfer from other foods. Keep mushrooms separate if possible to maintain their crisp texture.
• Reheating Strategy: Thaw frozen chicken in the refrigerator 24 hours before consuming. Reheat gently in a covered oven-safe dish at 350°F to prevent drying out. Add a splash of chicken broth or white wine to restore moisture and revive the original delicious sauce when warming.

Flavorful Additions for a New Take

• Mediterranean Herb Boost: Replace thyme with a blend of fresh rosemary, oregano, and parsley for a vibrant Mediterranean flavor profile that transforms the chicken's taste.
• Spicy Smoky Version: Add smoked paprika and red pepper flakes to the flour coating, creating a bold and slightly hot chicken dish that tingles the palate with warmth.
• White Wine Citrus Remix: Swap sherry with crisp white wine and add fresh lemon zest during the vegetable cooking stage, introducing bright, tangy notes that elevate the overall dish's complexity.
• Creamy Mushroom Spin: Stir in heavy cream after thickening the sauce, producing a rich, velvety texture that makes the chicken more luxurious and indulgent.

Chicken and Mushrooms Recap

Culinary magic emerges from Ina Garten’s chicken with mushrooms, a dish promising pure comfort and elegant simplicity.

Classic French-inspired techniques blend seamlessly with hearty ingredients, creating magic in one pot.

Mushrooms and tender chicken dance together under layers of rich, nuanced flavors.

Sherry and wine add sophisticated depth, transforming an ordinary meal into a memorable experience.

Home cooks can easily master this restaurant-quality recipe with careful technique and quality ingredients.

Guaranteed to impress dinner guests, share this mouthwatering recipe, leave excited comments below, and spread delicious inspiration across your favorite social platforms.

Ina Garten Chicken With Mushrooms Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s chicken with mushrooms delivers classic French culinary comfort with rich, earthy flavors. Succulent chicken breasts nestle among golden-brown mushrooms, creating a sophisticated dinner that whispers elegance and warmth for intimate gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Poultry:

• 2 chickens, 3 ½ to 4 pounds each, cut in eighths

Mushrooms and Herbs:

• 1 ½ pounds assorted wild mushrooms (such as porcini, cremini), cleaned and diced
• 8 sprigs fresh thyme, tied with kitchen string
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
• 8 whole garlic cloves

Liquids, Fats, and Seasonings:

• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cups white wine (Pinot Grigio or similar)
• ¼ cup dry sherry (or dry white wine)
• 2 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour (½ cup for dredging, ¼ cup for sauce)
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating it to 325°F (163°C), ensuring an even temperature for optimal cooking.
2. Pat the chicken pieces completely dry using clean paper towels, then generously season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Coat each piece thoroughly with all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess.
3. Select a large, heavy-bottomed ovenproof pot or Dutch oven. Heat extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Carefully place chicken pieces in the pot, creating a golden-brown crust by cooking for 3-5 minutes on each side. Transfer browned chicken to a separate plate.
4. In the same pot, add whole garlic cloves, sliced mushrooms, and fresh thyme sprigs. Sauté the vegetables for approximately 5 minutes, allowing them to develop rich, caramelized flavors.
5. Pour sherry into the pot, using a wooden spoon to scrape up the flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom, which will enhance the sauce’s depth.
6. Introduce minced garlic to the pot, stirring continuously for an additional 2 minutes to release its aromatic qualities.
7. Gradually pour in white wine and unsalted chicken stock. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer, creating a flavorful braising environment.
8. Carefully return the browned chicken pieces to the pot, nestling them into the liquid. Cover the pot and transfer to the preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
9. Once cooked, remove the chicken and discard the thyme sprigs. Create a butter-flour mixture by combining softened unsalted butter with all-purpose flour. Whisk this mixture into the cooking liquid, stirring constantly to prevent lumps and create a smooth, rich sauce.
10. Allow the sauce to simmer for 5 minutes, stirring periodically until it thickens to a luxurious consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Gently return the chicken to the pot, coating each piece with the velvety sauce before serving immediately.

Notes

• Create crispy chicken by thoroughly drying the meat and coating it generously with seasoned flour to achieve a beautiful golden-brown exterior that locks in delicious flavors.
• Elevate the dish’s complexity by selecting a variety of mushrooms like cremini, shiitake, and oyster, ensuring uniform cutting to guarantee even cooking and balanced texture.
• Control stovetop heat carefully, maintaining a medium-high temperature that allows chicken and mushrooms to develop rich caramelization without burning or becoming tough.
• Develop a silky, luxurious sauce by whisking flour and butter into a smooth roux, which naturally thickens the liquid and prevents lumpy consistency.
• Enhance overall taste by seasoning each ingredient layer separately, building depth through strategic salt, pepper, and herb applications throughout the cooking process.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 490 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 33 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg