Chicken breasts with mushroom sauce

Here’s a delicious recipe for Chicken Breasts with Mushroom Sauce:

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
• 1 tablespoon flour (for thickening, optional)

For the Mushroom Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 250g mushrooms, sliced (cremini or white mushrooms)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional, for extra flavor)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Cook the chicken:

   • Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder (if using).
   • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil or butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F/75°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

2. Prepare the mushroom sauce:

   • In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes, until they begin to brown and release their moisture.
   • Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking for another 3-4 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.

3. Make the sauce:

   • If you want a thicker sauce, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of flour over the mushroom mixture and stir for 1-2 minutes to cook off the raw flour taste.
   • Gradually pour in the chicken broth, stirring to dissolve any lumps. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.
   • Stir in the heavy cream (or milk) and Dijon mustard (if using). Add thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for another 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.

4. Combine and serve:

   • Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the mushroom sauce over them. Let everything warm through for a couple of minutes.
   • Garnish with fresh parsley and serve the chicken breasts with mushroom sauce alongside mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables.

Enjoy your flavorful chicken with a creamy mushroom sauce!