Homemade Joy: Ina Garten’s Chicken With Mushrooms Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this Ina Garten chicken with mushrooms recipe delivers pure comfort on a plate.

Succulent chicken breasts soak up rich, earthy flavors that make every bite extraordinary.

Robust mushrooms dance with delicate herbs, creating a symphony of taste that feels both elegant and homey.

The sauce comes together effortlessly, promising restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.

Her culinary magic turns simple ingredients into something extraordinary, blending technique with pure deliciousness.

Wine and cream enhance the depth of flavor, making this dish feel like a warm embrace.

You’ll want to serve this impressive meal that looks like it took hours to prepare but comes together in minutes.

Cooking Instructions for Ina Garten Chicken with Mushrooms

Rustic Chicken Mushroom Comfort

• Cozy Kitchen Preparation

Set your oven to a gentle warmth around 325°F, creating a welcoming environment for your culinary adventure.

• Chicken Transformation

Pat your chicken pieces until dry, then lovingly season with salt and pepper. Dust lightly with flour for a golden embrace.

• Sizzling Foundation

Heat a rich layer of olive oil in a sturdy pot. Gently brown the chicken pieces, creating beautiful caramel-like edges that promise deep flavor.

• Woodland Medley

Introduce whole garlic cloves, earthy mushrooms, and fragrant thyme to the pot. Let them dance and release their aromatic magic for a few minutes.

• Flavor Awakening

Splash in some sherry, scraping the delicious browned bits from the pot’s bottom, releasing hidden layers of taste.

• Liquid Harmony

Pour wine and chicken stock into the pot, allowing the ingredients to mingle and create a rich, inviting sauce.

• Oven Embrace

Nestle the chicken back into the pot, cover, and let it slowly cook in the oven for about 35 minutes until tender and perfectly done.

• Silky Finish

Whisk a bit of butter and flour together, then stir into the sauce. Let it simmer and thicken, creating a luxurious coating that hugs each piece of chicken.

Flavor Twists for Ina Garten Chicken with Mushrooms

• Swap whole chicken pieces for boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts to reduce cooking time and create a lighter version of the dish.
• Experiment with wild mushroom varieties like porcini, shiitake, or chanterelles to add depth and earthy complexity to the sauce.
• Replace thyme with fresh rosemary or sage for a different aromatic profile that complements the rich mushroom sauce.
• Substitute sherry with dry white wine or marsala wine for a subtle variation in flavor that still maintains the recipe's elegant profile.
• Transform the recipe by replacing chicken with meaty portobello mushrooms or firm tofu, adjusting cooking times to prevent overcooking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 495 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients for Ina Garten Chicken with Mushrooms

• Chicken: Tender protein that absorbs rich flavors, choose plump and fresh pieces with smooth skin and no discoloration.

• Garlic Cloves, Minced Garlic: Adds deep, pungent flavor and aromatic base, select firm bulbs without sprouts.
• Fresh Thyme: Provides earthy, herbal undertones, look for vibrant green sprigs with strong fragrance.

• Olive Oil: Helps brown chicken and creates smooth cooking base, choose extra virgin for best flavor.
• Sherry: Adds complex, nutty depth to sauce, select dry cooking sherry for balanced taste.
• White Wine: Brings bright acidity and depth, opt for crisp, dry varieties like Sauvignon Blanc.
• Chicken Stock: Creates rich, savory foundation, use low-sodium for better sauce control.

• All-Purpose Flour: Critical for creating silky sauce and coating chicken, ensure fresh and lump-free.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides luxurious texture and smooth finish, select high-quality European-style if possible.

• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, use sparingly and taste as you season.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity, freshly ground provides most vibrant taste.

Tools to Make Ina Garten Chicken with Mushrooms

• Large Ovenproof Pot: Essential for browning chicken and creating a one-pot wonder that goes from stovetop to oven.
• Paper Towels: Perfect for drying chicken and ensuring a crispy, well-seasoned exterior.
• Sharp Chef's Knife: Needed for mincing garlic and preparing ingredients with precision.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring vegetables and scraping delicious bits from the pot bottom.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending butter and flour to create a smooth, velvety sauce.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps accurately measure flour, salt, and other ingredients for perfect flavor balance.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping and preparing ingredients.

Plating and Serving Ina Garten Chicken with Mushrooms

• Serve with Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Whip up smooth, buttery mashed potatoes that perfectly complement the rich, savory mushroom sauce. The creamy texture will soak up all those delicious flavors, creating a mouthwatering combination.
• Pair with Crisp Green Salad: Toss together a light, refreshing salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty vinaigrette. The bright, tangy salad will cut through the dish's richness and provide a fresh contrast.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or chives over the chicken just before serving. These vibrant green herbs will add a pop of color and a fresh, aromatic finish to the dish, enhancing its visual appeal and flavor profile.

How to Store Ina Garten Chicken with Mushrooms Properly

• Stash Smart: Refrigerate leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping the meat and sauce together to maintain moisture and flavor.
• Freeze Wisely: Package individual portions in freezer-safe containers, which stay delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat Gently: Warm slowly in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock to prevent drying. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare the entire dish in advance and store components separately. Chicken and sauce can be made 1-2 days before serving, allowing flavors to develop and intensify.

Elegant Ina Garten Chicken With Mushrooms Recipe

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4.5 from 33 reviews

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

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Description

Ina Garten’s chicken with mushrooms delivers classic comfort through sophisticated French cooking techniques. Culinary enthusiasts will savor rich flavors and elegant preparation that elevate home cooking to restaurant-quality dining.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 chickens (3 ½ to 4 lbs each), cut in eighths
• 1 ½ lbs assorted wild mushrooms (porcini, cremini), cleaned and diced
• 2 cups white wine (Pinot Grigio or similar)
• 2 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour (½ cup for dredging, ¼ cup for sauce)
• ¼ cup dry sherry (or dry white wine)
• 8 sprigs fresh thyme, tied with kitchen string
• 3 tbsps unsalted butter, softened
• 8 whole garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preheating: Configure the oven to 325°F (163°C) for consistent heat distribution.
2. Seasoning Chicken: Meticulously dry chicken pieces, then generously season with salt and pepper. Thoroughly coat with flour, ensuring even coverage by shaking off excess.
3. Browning Protein: Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Sear chicken pieces until golden-brown, approximately 3-5 minutes per side, creating a robust flavor foundation. Transfer browned chicken to a separate plate.
4. Vegetable Preparation: In the same pot, sauté garlic cloves, mushrooms, and thyme sprigs for 5 minutes, developing rich caramelized undertones and aromatic complexity.
5. Deglazing and Sauce Building: Pour sherry into the pot, scraping browned bits from the bottom. Add minced garlic, white wine, and chicken stock. Season with salt and pepper, bringing the liquid to a gentle simmer.
6. Braising Process: Reintroduce chicken pieces to the pot, nestling them into the liquid. Cover and transfer to preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internal temperature.
7. Sauce Refinement: Remove chicken and discard thyme sprigs. Create a butter-flour liaison, whisking it into the cooking liquid to develop a smooth, luxurious sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring consistently to achieve desired thickness.
8. Finishing: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Coat chicken pieces with the velvety sauce and serve immediately, ensuring each portion is generously dressed with the rich, flavorful liquid.

Notes

• Moisture Management: Pat chicken completely dry before flouring to ensure a crisp, golden-brown exterior that seals in juices and creates a perfect crust.
• Layering Flavors: Sauté mushrooms and garlic in the same pot used for browning chicken to capture and intensify the caramelized browned bits, maximizing depth of flavor.
• Temperature Precision: Use an instant-read thermometer to check chicken’s internal temperature, ensuring it reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe, perfectly cooked meat without overcooking.
• Sauce Smoothing Technique: Whisk butter-flour mixture gradually into hot liquid to prevent lumps, creating a silky, restaurant-quality sauce that clings beautifully to the chicken.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 495
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg