Author and mushroom guru David Fischer estimates that there are roughly 10,000 varieties of mushrooms in North America. From cremini to portabella, mushrooms are one of American's favorite vegetables. The popularity of the fungi stems not only from their rich, earthy flavors but also because they are low in both calories and fat and rich in nutrients such as potassium and vitamin D. Mushrooms are easy to work with in the kitchen whether added to a salad raw, sauteed in butter as a topping for steak or the basis for a rich sauce to serve over chicken.
Step 1
Combine the flour with the salt and pepper in a resealable plastic bag. Add the chicken breasts and shake to coat them with the mixture. Set aside.
Step 2
Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add the butter to the oil and heat until melted.
Step 3
Add the coated chicken breasts to the pan and cook for six to seven minutes on each side or until cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
Step 4
Add the onions or shallots and mushrooms to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion becomes opaque.
Step 5
Turn the heat to high and add the wine to the pan to deglaze it. Use a wooden spoon to stir up any browned bits left on the bottom of the pan from the chicken. Taste the sauce for seasonings and add salt and pepper if necessary. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, until the sauce has begun to thicken. Add the cream to the pan and simmer for an additional two to three minutes.
Step 6
Remove the pan from the heat and pour the sauce over the chicken, or puree the sauce in a blender or food processor before serving.
Tips and Warnings
- Experiment with different seasonings that will lend new flavors to the sauce, such as thyme, rosemary or nutmeg. Different types of mushrooms, including button, porcini or shiitake, will also give the sauce a unique flavor profile.
- Chicken is associated with a variety of bacteria, such as salmonella, staphylococcus, campylobacter and listeria. Always use an instant-read thermometer to ensure that chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before serving.
Things You'll Need
- Resealable plastic bag
- 1/2 to 1 cup white flour
- Sea salt or kosher salt
- Coarsely ground black pepper
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Large skillet
- 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp. butter
- 3 shallots or 1 medium onion, chopped
- 6 oz. mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 1 cup dry white or Marsala wine
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
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