There’s something undeniably magical about Italian cooking. It’s the way simple ingredients come together to create dishes that warm your soul and bring everyone to the table. Today, I’m sharing one of my absolute favorite recipes: Italian Chicken with Mushrooms.
This dish features tender, golden-brown chicken breasts nestled in a rich, garlicky sauce with earthy mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh herbs. It’s the kind of meal that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen, but comes together in about 40 minutes.
Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight dinner or impressing guests at a dinner party, this Italian Chicken with Mushrooms never fails to deliver. The aroma alone will have everyone asking, “When’s dinner ready?”
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✨ Restaurant-Quality at Home
Skip the expensive Italian restaurant and create this elegant dish in your own kitchen for a fraction of the cost.
⏱️ Ready in Under 45 Minutes
From prep to plate, this entire meal comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
🍳 One-Pan Wonder
Everything cooks in a single skillet, which means easy cleanup and maximum flavor as the ingredients build on each other.
💪 Protein-Packed
With lean chicken breast as the star, this dish is satisfying and nutritious.
🌿 Customizable
Easily adapt this recipe to your preferences with different vegetables, herbs, or protein substitutions.
The Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boneless, skinless chicken breasts | 4 (about 6-8 oz each) | Pounded to even thickness |
| All-purpose flour | ½ cup | For dredging |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon | Plus more to taste |
| Black pepper | ½ teaspoon | Freshly ground preferred |
| Italian seasoning | 1 teaspoon | Dried blend |
| Olive oil | 3 tablespoons | Extra virgin for best flavor |
| Butter | 2 tablespoons | Unsalted |
For the Mushroom Sauce:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cremini mushrooms | 8 oz | Sliced (can use baby bella) |
| Garlic | 4 cloves | Minced |
| Shallot | 1 large | Finely diced |
| Sun-dried tomatoes | ½ cup | Julienne cut, oil-packed |
| Chicken broth | 1 cup | Low-sodium recommended |
| Dry white wine | ½ cup | Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio |
| Heavy cream | ½ cup | Or half-and-half |
| Fresh spinach | 2 cups | Optional, but recommended |
| Parmesan cheese | ½ cup | Freshly grated |
| Fresh basil | ¼ cup | Chopped |
| Fresh thyme | 1 tablespoon | Leaves only |
| Red pepper flakes | ¼ teaspoon | Optional, for heat |
Ingredient Breakdown & Tips
The Chicken
The key to perfect Italian chicken is starting with quality chicken breasts and preparing them properly. Look for:
- Even thickness: Pound your chicken to about ¾-inch thickness for even cooking
- Room temperature: Let chicken sit out for 15-20 minutes before cooking
- Dry surface: Pat chicken very dry with paper towels for the best sear
The Mushrooms
Cremini mushrooms (also called baby bella) are my top choice for this recipe because they have:
- More depth of flavor than white button mushrooms
- Meaty texture that holds up well to cooking
- Beautiful golden color when properly sautéed
Pro Tip: Never wash mushrooms under running water! They absorb liquid like sponges. Instead, wipe them clean with a damp paper towel.
The Wine
The white wine adds acidity and complexity to the sauce. If you don’t cook with alcohol:
- Substitute with additional chicken broth
- Add 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar or lemon juice
Sun-Dried Tomatoes
These little gems add:
- Concentrated tomato flavor
- Beautiful color contrast
- A slight chewiness to the texture
Oil-packed varieties are more tender; if using dry-packed, rehydrate in warm water for 10 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Time: 10 minutes
- Place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap
- Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound to an even ¾-inch thickness
- Season both sides generously with salt and pepper
- In a shallow dish, combine flour and Italian seasoning
- Dredge each chicken breast in the flour mixture, shaking off excess
Why This Matters: The flour coating creates a beautiful golden crust and helps thicken the sauce later.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Time: 10 minutes
- Heat a large skillet (12-inch works best) over medium-high heat
- Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter
- When the butter stops foaming, add the chicken breasts
- Cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until golden brown
- Flip and cook another 4-5 minutes until cooked through (internal temp 165°F)
- Transfer chicken to a plate and tent loosely with foil
Chef’s Tip: Don’t overcrowd the pan! Cook in batches if necessary. Overcrowding causes steaming instead of searing.
Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics
Time: 5 minutes
- Reduce heat to medium
- Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter to the same skillet
- Add sliced mushrooms in a single layer
- Let them cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until golden on one side
- Stir and cook another 2-3 minutes
- Add shallots and garlic, cook for 1 minute until fragrant
- Stir in sun-dried tomatoes
The Secret: Letting mushrooms sit without stirring allows them to develop a beautiful caramelized color and concentrated flavor.
Step 4: Build the Sauce
Time: 8 minutes
- Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits (this is called deglazing)
- Let the wine reduce by half, about 2 minutes
- Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer
- Stir in heavy cream
- Add Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted
- Season with red pepper flakes (if using), and additional salt and pepper to taste
- Let sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened
Flavor Tip: Those browned bits on the bottom of the pan (called “fond”) are pure gold for flavor!
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Time: 5 minutes
- If using spinach, add it to the sauce and stir until just wilted
- Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over the top
- Let everything warm together for 2-3 minutes
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh basil and thyme
- Serve immediately
Tips for Perfect Italian Chicken Every Time
🔥 Temperature Control
- Start with medium-high heat for searing
- Reduce to medium for sauce building
- Never let the cream sauce boil vigorously (it can break)
🧂 Season in Layers
- Season the chicken before dredging
- Season the mushrooms while cooking
- Taste and adjust the final sauce
⏰ Timing is Everything
- Have all ingredients prepped before starting (mise en place)
- Don’t walk away during the searing process
- Add delicate herbs at the very end
🍳 Choose the Right Pan
- Use a heavy-bottomed skillet for even heat
- Stainless steel or cast iron works best
- Avoid non-stick for this recipe (harder to develop fond)
🌡️ Check Internal Temperature
- Chicken is safe at 165°F internal temperature
- Use an instant-read thermometer for accuracy
- Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing (if cutting)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Mistake #1: Wet Chicken
Not drying the chicken properly leads to steaming instead of searing. Always pat completely dry with paper towels.
❌ Mistake #2: Cold Chicken
Cooking straight from the refrigerator results in uneven cooking. Let chicken rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
❌ Mistake #3: Overcrowding the Pan
Too much food in the pan drops the temperature dramatically. Cook in batches if needed.
❌ Mistake #4: Moving the Chicken Too Soon
Let the chicken develop a proper crust before flipping. It will naturally release when ready.
❌ Mistake #5: Skipping the Deglazing
All those browned bits contain incredible flavor. Don’t skip the wine/broth step!
❌ Mistake #6: Overcooked Chicken
Remove chicken when it reaches 160°F; carryover cooking will bring it to 165°F while resting.
Final Thoughts
This Italian Chicken with Mushrooms has become a staple in my kitchen, and I know it will become one in yours too. It’s that perfect balance of elegant and approachable – fancy enough for company, but easy enough for a Tuesday night.
The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. Quality ingredients, proper technique, and a little love are all you need to create something truly special. The creamy mushroom sauce, the perfectly seared chicken, the pop of sun-dried tomatoes, and the fresh herbs all come together in perfect harmony.
Don’t be intimidated by the length of this post – I’ve included every detail to set you up for success. Once you make it once, you’ll have it memorized and be whipping it up without even glancing at the recipe.
So gather your ingredients, pour yourself a glass of wine (you’ll have some left after the recipe!), and enjoy the process of creating this beautiful Italian-inspired meal.
