Chicken A La Mary
A hearty, savory dish featuring tender chicken thighs or breasts, crispy bacon, and a creamy mushroom sauce, perfect for comforting family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 8 to 12 chicken thighs or boneless chicken breast halves ⓘ
- 8 to 12 strips bacon ⓘ
- 1 package thin sliced chipped beef ⓘ
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup ⓘ
- 8 oz sour cream ⓘ
- 2 onions ⓘ
- 1 carrot ⓘ
- 1 celery stick
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- pepper and salt ⓘ
- 1 lb ground turkey ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts ⓘ
- 1/2 bunch parsley ⓘ
- 2 cups extra fine bulgur wheat or cracked wheat cereal ⓘ
Instructions
- Make 2 cups vegetable broth by boiling the carrot, 1 onion, celery, bay leaf, and salt (to taste) for 15 minutes.
- Strain out the vegetables and let the broth cool.
- Cook bacon strips until crispy and set aside.
- In the same pan, brown chicken thighs or breasts until cooked through and set aside.
- In a separate pot, cook bulgur wheat or cracked wheat cereal according to package instructions.
- In a saucepan, combine cream of mushroom soup and sour cream over low heat.
- Add chopped chipped beef, cooked bacon, and cooked ground turkey to the sauce.
- Stir in chopped onions, carrots, celery, and bay leaf from the broth, cooking until vegetables are tender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the chicken topped with the creamy mushroom sauce, garnished with chopped parsley and walnuts.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using smoked bacon or adding a splash of white wine to the sauce. If you prefer a lighter dish, substitute ground turkey with shredded rotisserie chicken. You can also use a mix of mushrooms for a more complex flavor profile. Ensure the bulgur wheat is well-seasoned for the best taste.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Chicken A La Mary over a bed of fluffy bulgur wheat for a hearty meal. It pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for added freshness. For a comforting touch, consider serving with crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm in a skillet over medium heat until heated through or microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally to prevent drying out. Adding a splash of broth can help maintain moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken A La Mary contains roughly 527 calories, with 20g protein, 92g carbohydrates, and 14g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (235% of the Daily Value), iron (100% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (89% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 671mg per serving (29% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce in advance. Simply store them separately in the refrigerator and combine them when ready to serve. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making it an ideal candidate for meal prep.
What can I use instead of cream of mushroom soup?
If you prefer a homemade alternative, you can create a creamy sauce using a roux of butter, flour, and milk, seasoned with mushrooms, garlic, and thyme. This adds a fresh touch and allows you to control the ingredients.
Is there a substitute for bulgur wheat?
Yes, you can replace bulgur with quinoa or couscous for a different texture. Both options will absorb the flavors of the dish well and provide a satisfying base for the chicken and sauce.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).