Creamy Braised Chicken
Creamy braised chicken with tender vegetables and mushrooms, enhanced by white wine and herbs, making it a comforting and flavorful dish suitable for family dinners or entertaining.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. pearl onions ⓘ
- 1 cup thinly sliced onions ⓘ
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced carrots ⓘ
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, divided
- 6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves ⓘ
- 1 cup white wine or chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 1/3 cups chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. fresh parsley, minced ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 tsp. dried thyme ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. flour ⓘ
- 1/2 cup evaporated skim milk ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms, quartered ⓘ
Instructions
- Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a Dutch oven or large kettle. Add pearl onions and boil for 3 minutes.
- Drain and rinse onions in cold water; peel and set aside.
- In the same pan, sauté sliced onions, carrots, and celery in 1 tablespoon of butter. Remove vegetables and set aside on a serving platter.
- Add chicken breasts to the pan; brown on both sides. Remove and keep warm.
- Add white wine to the pan; simmer until reduced to 1/2 cup.
- Stir in salt, dried thyme, pepper, bay leaf, and chicken broth.
- Return chicken to the pan; cover and simmer for 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove chicken to a vegetable serving platter; keep warm.
- Combine flour and evaporated skim milk until smooth; gradually stir into the pan.
- Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes until thickened.
- Return sautéed vegetables to the pan, remove from heat, cover, and set aside.
- In a non-stick skillet, sauté reserved pearl onions and quartered mushrooms with remaining butter until tender.
- Add sautéed pearl onions and mushrooms to the serving platter with chicken and vegetables.
- Remove bay leaf from the sauce. Pour sauce over chicken and vegetables before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using chicken broth instead of white wine, or a combination of both. If pearl onions are unavailable, shallots can be a great substitute. To save time, you can use pre-sliced mushrooms and pre-chopped vegetables. Ensure the chicken is not overcrowded in the pan while browning to achieve a nice crust.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the creamy braised chicken over a bed of rice or alongside mashed potatoes for a comforting meal. It pairs beautifully with Barbecue Grill Potatoes for added texture and flavor. Garnish with additional minced parsley for a fresh touch and consider offering crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover creamy braised chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm in a skillet over low heat while adding a splash of chicken broth to maintain creaminess. Avoid reheating in the microwave for best texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Creamy Braised Chicken contains roughly 692 calories, with 20g protein, 104g carbohydrates, and 28g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (189% of the Daily Value), iron (188% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (97% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1748mg per serving (76% 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 use skin-on chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use skin-on chicken for added flavor and richness. Just ensure to brown it well and adjust the cooking time slightly, as skin-on pieces may take a bit longer to cook through.
What can I substitute for evaporated skim milk?
If you prefer a non-dairy option, unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk can work as substitutes. For a creamier texture, try using a combination of non-dairy cream and regular milk, adjusting the proportions to achieve your desired creaminess.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add some heat, consider incorporating red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce when mixing in the seasonings. You can also serve it with a spicy dipping sauce on the side to allow guests to customize their heat level.
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).