Welcome to your new favorite weeknight meal! This Creamy Chicken Stroganoff recipe makes a classic comfort dish incredibly simple to prepare. It’s perfect for busy evenings, delivering rich, savory flavors that everyone at the table will love. Get ready for tender chicken, perfectly cooked mushrooms, and an irresistibly creamy sauce that comes together quickly.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken Stroganoff
- Quick and Easy Dinner: This dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
- Ultimate Comfort Food: Enjoy a hearty, warming meal that’s perfect for any occasion, from family dinners to cozy nights in.
- Rich and Flavorful: The sauce is deeply savory and wonderfully creamy, coating every piece of chicken and mushroom.
- Simple Ingredients: You’ll find everything you need at your local grocery store, with no specialty items required for this chicken stroganoff.
- Impressive Results: Despite its ease, this dish tastes like it took hours, making you a kitchen hero with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this delightful Creamy Chicken Stroganoff:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 125g / 1 cup chestnut mushrooms, sliced or halved
- 1/2 tsp salt (for mushrooms)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 kg / 1 lb chicken breasts, skinless, boneless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 tsp salt (for chicken)
- 70ml / 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 85ml / 1/3 cup chicken stock
- 1 tsp whole grain mustard
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 bay leaf
- 250ml / 1 cup sour cream, or smetana
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Notes & Substitutions
Browning mushrooms properly is key for depth of flavor; ensure they have enough space in the pan. Use clarified butter if you prefer a higher smoke point for searing. While chicken breasts are great, chicken thighs offer extra moisture and richness. If you don’t have sour cream, crème fraîche works beautifully for a tangier, creamier sauce. For those avoiding alcohol, apple juice or a splash of white wine vinegar can substitute the dry white wine for deglazing. Adjust salt and pepper to your taste, and consider a dash of smoked paprika for an extra layer of flavor in your chicken stroganoff.
Equipment
Gather these simple tools to make your Creamy Chicken Stroganoff:
- Large skillet or deep pan
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula or wooden spoon
Instructions
Follow these easy steps to create your delicious Creamy Chicken Stroganoff:
- Prepare Ingredients: Slice your mushrooms, chop the onion, mince the garlic, and cut your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
- Brown Mushrooms: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large, deep pan over medium heat. Add the sliced or halved chestnut mushrooms with 1/2 tsp of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
The Maillard reaction is a key chemical process that contributes to the rich, savory flavors developed when browning foods like mushrooms. Learn more about the culinary science of the Maillard reaction.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan with the mushrooms. Cook over lower heat for another 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Remove & Set Aside: Transfer the cooked mushrooms, onion, and garlic to a separate plate and set aside.
- Brown Chicken: Increase the heat to high. Add the bite-sized chicken breast pieces to the same pan with 1/2 tsp of salt. Brown the chicken on all sides for 5-7 minutes until lightly golden. It doesn’t need to be cooked through yet.
- Deglaze Pan: Pour the dry white wine into the hot pan. Use your spatula to scrape the bottom of the pan, releasing all the flavorful brown bits (fond). This adds incredible depth to the creamy chicken stroganoff sauce.
- Simmer Sauce Base: Add the chicken stock, whole grain mustard, tomato paste, and bay leaf to the pan. Stir well to combine everything.
- Combine & Thicken: Return the reserved mushrooms, onions, and garlic back into the pan. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Stir in the sour cream and chopped fresh parsley.
- Finish Cooking: Let the creamy chicken stroganoff simmer gently, uncovered, for 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Serve Immediately: Remove the bay leaf and serve your homemade stroganoff hot.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Browning Mushrooms: Cook mushrooms in a single layer over high heat to achieve a deep golden brown. Overcrowding the pan will steam them instead of browning.
- Preventing Curdling: Always add sour cream off the heat or over very low heat. High temperatures can cause it to curdle, so gently warm it through without boiling.
- Clarified Butter: Use clarified butter for browning if you want to avoid butter solids burning at higher temperatures.
- Deglazing: Don’t skip deglazing! Those browned bits at the bottom of the pan are packed with flavor that elevates your Creamy Chicken Stroganoff.
- Consistency: If your sauce is too thick, thin it with a splash more chicken stock. If it’s too thin, simmer it gently for a few more minutes to reduce.
- Flavor Boosts: A dash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika can add extra layers of savory flavor to this delicious dish.
- Don’t Overcook: Chicken breasts can dry out quickly. Cook them just until browned, then let them finish cooking gently in the simmering sauce to keep them tender.
Serving, Storage & Variations
- Serving: This Creamy Chicken Stroganoff is wonderfully versatile. Serve it over fluffy mashed potatoes, hot egg noodles, or steamed white rice for a complete meal. For a fresh touch, pair it with steamed green beans, a simple side salad, or blanched broccoli.
- Storage: Store any leftover chicken stroganoff in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of stock or water if the sauce has thickened too much.
- Freezing: For best freezing results, consider using heavy cream instead of sour cream, as sour cream can sometimes separate upon thawing. If using sour cream, freeze in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently.
- Variations:
- Chicken Thighs: Swap chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs for an even richer and juicier result.
- Vegetable Boost: Add diced bell peppers, a handful of fresh spinach, or sliced carrots when sautéing the onions for extra nutrition and color.
- Mushroom Types: Experiment with different mushrooms like cremini, shiitake, or a wild mushroom blend for varied textures and deeper earthy notes in your Creamy Chicken Stroganoff.
- Dairy-Free: Substitute sour cream with full-fat coconut milk or a dairy-free sour cream alternative for a creamy, dairy-free version.
Nutrition
Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown for one serving of this delicious Creamy Chicken Stroganoff:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 340 kcal |
| Carbohydrate Content | 7 g |
| Protein Content | 27 g |
| Fat Content | 21 g |
| Saturated Fat Content | 9 g |
| Cholesterol Content | 112 mg |
| Sodium Content | 364 mg |
| Sugar Content | 4 g |
| Serving Size | 1 serving |
Disclaimer: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Creamy Chicken Stroganoff: A Quick & Delicious Weeknight Meal
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat oil and butter in a large pan, then brown sliced chestnut mushrooms over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until golden. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for another 5 minutes before removing to a separate plate.
- In the same pan, brown bite-sized chicken breasts with a pinch of salt over high heat for 5-7 minutes. Deglaze the pan with white wine, scraping up any brown bits. Stir in chicken stock, mustard, tomato paste, and bay leaf.
- Return the cooked mushrooms and onions to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and stir in sour cream and chopped parsley. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
Notes
FAQ
- Can I skip the white wine? Yes, you can! Substitute the white wine with an equal amount of chicken stock, or a splash of apple juice mixed with a teaspoon of white wine vinegar for a similar acidic tang.
- How do I prevent sour cream from curdling? Always add sour cream to the sauce over very low heat or off the heat entirely. Stir it in gently and avoid bringing the sauce to a rolling boil after it’s added.
- Can I freeze chicken stroganoff? You can, but it’s best if made with heavy cream instead of sour cream, as sour cream can sometimes change texture when frozen and thawed. Freeze in an airtight container for up to three months.
- What are good side dishes for this creamy chicken stroganoff? Classic pairings include egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice. For vegetables, try green beans, broccoli, or a simple garden salad.
Conclusion
This Creamy Chicken Stroganoff recipe is truly a game-changer for anyone seeking a quick, delicious, and comforting meal. Its straightforward steps and simple ingredients prove that gourmet flavors are easily achievable on even the busiest weeknights. We encourage you to try this recipe and experience the rich, savory goodness for yourself. It’s bound to become a regular in your meal rotation! Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comments below!
