Cast Iron Creamy Mushroom Chicken Recipe

Irresistible Cast Iron Creamy Mushroom Chicken Recipe

Crafting a delectable cast iron creamy mushroom chicken promises a culinary adventure that will tantalize your taste buds.

Skilled home cooks know the magic of one-pan meals that blend rich flavors effortlessly.

Robust mushrooms and tender chicken create a symphony of textures and aromas that dance across your palate.

Skillet techniques elevate this classic dish from ordinary to extraordinary with minimal cleanup.

Each bite delivers a comforting embrace of creamy sauce and perfectly seared protein.

Salt, herbs, and a splash of white wine transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy masterpiece.

Come savor this irresistible recipe that turns an everyday dinner into a memorable dining experience.

Cast Iron Mushroom Chicken That Satisfies

  • Simplify Cooking: One-pan meal that minimizes kitchen cleanup and reduces dish washing, perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious results without complicated preparation.
  • Versatile Comfort Dish: Combines tender chicken with creamy mushroom sauce, making it an ideal choice for family dinners or casual gatherings that crave hearty, satisfying flavors.
  • Restaurant-Quality Experience: Cast iron skillet cooking provides restaurant-style searing and creates a rich, professional-looking dish that impresses without requiring advanced culinary skills.
  • Adaptable Ingredients: Easily customizable with different herbs or additional vegetables, allowing cooks to personalize the recipe based on personal taste preferences or available ingredients.

Ingredients to Cook Cast Iron Mushroom Chicken

Main Protein:
  • Chicken Drumsticks: Tender meat that becomes the centerpiece of this hearty and flavorful dish.
Aromatics and Vegetables:
  • Onion, Garlic, Mushrooms: Provide depth of flavor and enhance the overall taste profile of the chicken.
Sauce and Seasoning Components:
  • Butter: Creates a rich base for cooking and adds a golden color to the dish.
  • Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and intensifies the savory chicken flavor.
  • Italian Seasoning: Brings a blend of herbs that complement the chicken and mushrooms.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the overall taste.
  • Cream, Parmesan Cheese, Mustard: Create a luxuriously creamy and tangy sauce that coats the chicken.
Garnish:
  • Fresh Parsley: Adds a bright, fresh finish to the completed dish.

How to Prepare Mushroom Chicken in Cast Iron

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Turn the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to get it ready for cooking.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Heat butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.

Carefully place chicken drumsticks in the pan and brown each side until golden, spending 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a temporary plate.

Step 3: Saute Vegetables

Add to the skillet:
  • Onions
  • Mushrooms

Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Toss in garlic and cook for another minute, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Step 4: Build the Cooking Liquid

Pour into the skillet:
  • Chicken broth
  • Italian seasoning
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Return the chicken to the pan. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and juices run clear.

Step 5: Create the Creamy Sauce

Remove the chicken from the pan. Place the skillet back on the stovetop over medium-high heat.

Stir in:
  • Heavy cream
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Mustard

Add extra salt and pepper as needed. Simmer the sauce until it slightly thickens, about 5 minutes.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Pour the luxurious sauce and mushrooms over the chicken. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top.

Serve hot and enjoy immediately.

Tips to Get Cast Iron Mushroom Chicken Right

  • Select a well-seasoned cast iron skillet to enhance flavor development and prevent sticking during cooking.
  • Monitor garlic closely while sautéing to prevent burning, which can create a bitter taste in the final sauce.
  • Consider using bone-in chicken drumsticks for extra moisture and deeper flavor compared to boneless chicken.
  • Use full-fat cream for a richer, more luxurious sauce that coats the chicken beautifully and provides a silky texture.
  • Test chicken doneness by ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F with a meat thermometer for safe consumption.

Variations to Change Mushroom Chicken Up

  • Vegetarian Mushroom Delight: Replace chicken drumsticks with firm tofu or seitan, maintaining the same cooking method and seasoning for a plant-based alternative.
  • Low-Carb Herb Chicken: Swap onions with cauliflower and use heavy cream instead of regular cream to create a keto-friendly version of the dish.
  • Mediterranean Chicken Skillet: Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and swap Italian seasoning for oregano and thyme to give a Mediterranean flavor profile.
  • Dairy-Free Creamy Option: Use coconut cream instead of dairy cream and nutritional yeast in place of parmesan cheese for those with lactose intolerance or dairy restrictions.

Pairings That Work Well With Mushroom Chicken

  • A chardonnay or sauvignon blanc cuts through the creamy sauce, balancing the rich mushroom and chicken flavors with its bright acidity.
  • Serve alongside herb-roasted asparagus or Brussels sprouts to add a fresh, green element that complements the savory chicken dish.
  • Rustic sourdough or garlic bread helps soak up the delicious creamy sauce, providing a perfect textural contrast and extra flavor absorption.
  • A light pinot noir works wonderfully for red wine lovers, matching the mushroom's deep umami notes while not overpowering the delicate chicken.

Storage Instructions for Cast Iron Mushroom Chicken

  • Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the chicken remains covered to prevent drying out.
  • Transfer chicken and sauce to a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Seal tightly, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
  • Place chicken and sauce in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

FAQs

  • Can I use a different type of skillet if I don't have cast iron?

Yes, you can use an oven-safe skillet like stainless steel or a heavy-bottomed pan that can transfer from stovetop to oven.

  • What are the best mushrooms for this recipe?

Button mushrooms, cremini, or baby bella mushrooms work great. They provide a rich, earthy flavor that complements the chicken perfectly.

  • How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F at the thickest part. The juices should also run clear when pierced.

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Cast Iron Creamy Mushroom Chicken Recipe

Cast Iron Creamy Mushroom Chicken Recipe


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4.5 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Rich cast iron creamy mushroom chicken delivers a comforting French-inspired dinner perfect for weeknight meals. Hearty chicken thighs simmered in a silky mushroom sauce will satisfy you completely.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 chicken drumsticks (large, skin on)
  • 10 oz cremini mushrooms
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup parmesan (grated)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
  • 1/2 onion
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
  • salt (to taste)
  • pepper (to taste)
  • fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F, preparing for a rich, savory chicken dish with mushroom cream sauce.
  2. Heat butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, carefully searing chicken drumsticks until golden brown on each side, approximately 2-3 minutes per surface.
  3. Transfer browned chicken to a temporary plate, maintaining the flavorful skillet residue.
  4. Sauté onions and mushrooms in the same skillet until they become tender and slightly caramelized, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Add minced garlic and cook briefly, stirring constantly to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors.
  6. Pour chicken broth into the skillet, incorporating Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to create a fragrant liquid base.
  7. Reintroduce chicken drumsticks to the skillet, ensuring they are nestled within the herb-infused mixture.
  8. Transfer skillet to preheated oven and roast for 30-40 minutes, verifying doneness through clear meat juices and internal temperature.
  9. Remove chicken from the pan, placing skillet back on stovetop over medium-high heat.
  10. Whisk cream, parmesan cheese, and mustard into the pan drippings, creating a luxurious, velvety sauce.
  11. Simmer sauce for approximately 5 minutes, allowing it to reduce and intensify in flavor.
  12. Drizzle creamy sauce and mushrooms over chicken, garnishing with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.
  13. Serve immediately, presenting a delectable cast iron mushroom chicken dish.

Notes

  • Opt for bone-in chicken drumsticks to enhance flavor and maintain moisture during cooking.
  • Use a well-seasoned cast iron skillet to develop a rich, deep flavor profile and create a beautiful golden-brown crust on the chicken.
  • Swap cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt for a lighter, dairy-free alternative that still provides creamy texture.
  • Customize the dish by adding fresh thyme or rosemary to the mushroom mixture for an extra layer of aromatic complexity.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 280 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg
Mike Reynolds

Mike Reynolds

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Sustainable cooking techniques, Food photography

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech)
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Mike studied culinary arts with a strong focus on farm-to-table principles and sustainable cooking. His training emphasized the importance of fresh, local ingredients and environmentally responsible practices in the kitchen.


Mike’s food journey began deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where weekends at farmers’ markets and home-cooked meals sparked a lifelong obsession with simple, seasonal eating.
After earning his Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, he set out to bring farm-to-table cooking into everyday kitchens, without the fuss.
Mike’s philosophy is all about keeping it fresh, unfussy, and full of heart. When he’s not crafting new single-serving recipes, he’s hiking mountain trails, chatting with local farmers, or experimenting with wild ingredients in his backyard kitchen.

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