Have you ever craved a restaurant-quality meal but wanted to enjoy it from the comfort of your own kitchen? This chicken and mushroom recipe delivers exactly that—a perfectly balanced dish combining tender chicken with earthy mushrooms in a rich, flavorful sauce. Making this chicken mushroom stir fry recipe at home not only saves money compared to dining out, but it also allows you to control the ingredients, customize flavors to your preference, and impress your family with minimal effort. Whether you're a beginner cook or an experienced home chef, this recipe guarantees delicious results every single time.

Ingredients List

    • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
    • 16 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 medium onion, diced
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • Salt and black pepper to taste
    • Optional: Fresh parsley for garnish

For the Sauce:

    • 1 cup chicken broth
    • ½ cup heavy cream or coconut cream
    • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free)
    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Timing / Cooking Schedule

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 25 minutes

Total time: 35 minutes

This recipe fits perfectly into busy weeknight schedules, delivering a gourmet meal in less time than takeout delivery. You can even prep ingredients in the morning for an even faster dinner assembly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Season chicken pieces generously with salt, pepper, and half the thyme. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden brown on all sides (about 5-7 minutes), then remove and set aside. Don't overcook at this stage—it will finish cooking later.

Step 2: Sauté the Mushrooms In the same skillet, add the remaining oil. Add sliced mushrooms and cook without stirring for 2-3 minutes to develop a golden crust. Then stir occasionally until mushrooms release their moisture and become tender (about 5 minutes). This technique brings out deep, savory flavors in your chicken and mushroom recipe.

Step 3: Build the Aromatics Add diced onion and minced garlic to the mushrooms. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and the onion becomes translucent. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir for 1 minute to create a roux base for your sauce.

Step 4: Create the Sauce Pour in chicken broth while stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Add soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and remaining thyme. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat and stir in heavy cream. Let the sauce thicken for 3-4 minutes. This step transforms your chicken mushroom stir fry recipe into something extraordinary.

Step 5: Combine and Finish Return the chicken to the skillet along with any accumulated juices. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F) and the sauce coats everything beautifully. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional Information

Per serving (serves 4):

    • Calories: 385
    • Protein: 38g
    • Carbohydrates: 12g
    • Fat: 20g
    • Fiber: 2g
    • Vitamin C: 8% DV
    • Iron: 12% DV

Tips, Variations, or Cooking Advice

Dietary Swaps: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream for dairy-free needs, or substitute chicken with firm tofu for a vegetarian version. For keto followers, skip the flour and use xanthan gum to thicken.

Flavor Variations: Add a splash of white wine before the broth for complexity, or incorporate sun-dried tomatoes and spinach for a Mediterranean twist.

Meal Prep: This dish keeps wonderfully for 3-4 days, making it perfect for batch cooking. Double the recipe and freeze portions for quick future meals.

Cookware Tips: A cast-iron skillet provides superior browning, but any heavy-bottomed pan works well. Avoid non-stick for this recipe as it prevents proper caramelization.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overcrowding the Pan: Cook chicken in batches if needed. Overcrowding creates steam instead of a beautiful sear, resulting in rubbery texture.

Not Drying Mushrooms: Wet mushrooms steam rather than brown. Pat them dry with paper towels before cooking for best results.

Adding Cream Too Early: Wait until the broth mixture simmers before adding cream to prevent curdling from high heat.

Skipping the Rest: Let the finished dish rest for 2-3 minutes before serving so flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly.

Storage / Leftovers Tips

Store your chicken and mushroom recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious. For reheating, use low-medium heat on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream to restore the sauce's silky consistency—microwaving works but may cause the sauce to separate slightly.

For longer storage, freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. This chicken mushroom stir fry recipe maintains excellent texture when frozen, though the sauce may need whisking during reheating to re-emulsify. Avoid freezing if you've added fresh herbs; add those fresh when reheating instead.