When I made this Creamy Chicken Mushroom with Rice, the kitchen smelled savory and cozy.
The mushrooms sizzled in butter, and the sauce turned silky, coating the tender chicken just right.
I remember serving it over warm rice—it was creamy, comforting, and so satisfying.
This dish is simple, hearty, and full of flavor.
It’s perfect for weeknight dinners or when you want something warm and homemade.
Let’s cook it together—you’ll love how creamy and delicious it turns out.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Restaurant Quality at Home: Create a dish that tastes like it came from your favorite Italian restaurant.
- Rich and Creamy: The combination of heavy cream and parmesan creates a sauce that coats every bite.
- Budget-Friendly: Uses affordable chicken thighs and mushrooms for a meal that feels fancy.
- One-Pan Meal: Everything comes together with minimal cleanup.
- Perfect for Weeknights: Simple enough for busy evenings but impressive enough for guests.

What You Need to Know Before You Start
Prep Time & Cook Time: Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes Total Time: About an hour
Servings: This recipe serves 4-6 people. Pair it with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Need to feed more? Double the recipe easily.
Difficulty: Easy enough for beginner cooks but satisfying for experienced home chefs too.
Required Kitchen Tools
- Large skillet or frying pan with lid
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Medium pot for rice
- Mixing bowl
- Tongs or spatula
Ingredients
This cozy dinner relies on pantry staples and fresh ingredients that work together beautifully. The chicken gets seasoned and browned, while mushrooms and garlic build flavor in the pan. Heavy cream and parmesan bring everything together into a sauce that makes you want seconds.
For the Chicken:
- Chicken thighs
- Paprika powder
- Salt
- Chicken stock powder
- Cornstarch
- Cooking oil
- Butter
For the Mushroom Cream Sauce:
- Champignon mushrooms
- Onion
- Garlic
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
- Sugar
- Pepper
- Dried parsley
For Serving:
- Rice
Variations for Creamy Chicken Mushroom
- Add Vegetables: Toss in spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or bell peppers for extra nutrition.
- Use Different Mushrooms: Try shiitake, portobello, or a mixed mushroom blend for deeper flavor.
- Make It Lighter: Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream or use Greek yogurt mixed with a little flour.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Replace dried parsley with fresh thyme, basil, or tarragon.
- Spice It Up: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne for a gentle kick.
- Use Chicken Breasts: Swap thighs for boneless chicken breasts if you prefer white meat.

How to Make Creamy Chicken Mushroom Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken
Season chicken thighs with paprika powder, salt, and chicken stock powder. Dust lightly with cornstarch on both sides. This helps create a golden crust and thickens the sauce later.
2. Brown the Chicken
Heat cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside. It does not need to be fully cooked yet.
3. Cook the Mushrooms and Aromatics
Add butter to the same pan. Toss in sliced champignon mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and turn golden, about 5-6 minutes. Add chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until soft. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Build the Sauce
Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. These bits add tons of flavor. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in heavy cream, grated parmesan cheese, sugar, pepper, and dried parsley. Mix until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth.
5. Finish the Chicken
Return the chicken to the pan, nestling it into the creamy mushroom sauce. Cover and simmer on low heat for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. The sauce will thicken as it cooks.
6. Prepare the Rice
While the chicken simmers, cook rice according to package directions. You can use white rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter option.
Serving and Decoration
Spoon fluffy rice onto plates or into shallow bowls. Place a chicken thigh on top and ladle the creamy mushroom sauce over everything. Garnish with extra dried parsley or fresh herbs like chopped parsley or chives. A sprinkle of grated parmesan adds a nice finishing touch.
Serve with crusty bread to soak up every drop of sauce, or pair with a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette.
Storing Creamy Chicken Mushroom
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep the chicken and sauce together, but store rice separately for best results.
- Reheating: Warm gently in a covered skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream if the sauce has thickened too much. Microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Freezing: The chicken and sauce freeze well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Rice is best made fresh rather than frozen.

Tips and Tricks for Success
- Use Room Temperature Cream: Cold cream can break the sauce. Let it sit out for 15-20 minutes before adding to the pan.
- Don’t Skip the Browning: Searing the chicken creates flavor and helps it stay juicy.
- Slice Mushrooms Evenly: This ensures they cook at the same rate and brown properly.
- Let the Sauce Simmer: Rushing the final cooking step can result in thin sauce and tough chicken. Low and slow wins here.
- Taste and Adjust: Before serving, taste the sauce and add more salt, pepper, or parmesan if needed.
- Make It Ahead: Prepare the dish up to step 5, then refrigerate. Reheat gently before serving.
Nutrition
| Nutrient | Per Serving (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 580 |
| Protein | 35g |
| Fat | 32g |
| Saturated Fat | 16g |
| Carbohydrates | 38g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 3g |
| Sodium | 680mg |
| Cholesterol | 155mg |
Based on 4 servings. Values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
PrintCreamy Chicken Mushroom With Rice
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish / Dinner (Comfort Food)
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 6 chicken thighs
- 2 teaspoons paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon chicken stock powder
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
For the Mushroom Cream Sauce:
- 8 ounces champignon mushrooms, sliced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
For Serving:
- 2 cups rice, cooked according to package directions
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Mix paprika powder, salt, and chicken stock powder. Rub over chicken thighs, then dust with cornstarch on both sides.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 4-5 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
- Cook Mushrooms: Add butter to the same pan. Add sliced mushrooms and cook 5-6 minutes until golden. Add onion and cook 2-3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits. Simmer 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in heavy cream, parmesan cheese, sugar, pepper, and dried parsley. Mix until smooth.
- Finish Cooking: Return chicken to the pan. Cover and simmer on low heat for 20-25 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Serve: Spoon rice onto plates. Top with chicken and mushroom cream sauce. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.
Creamy Chicken Mushroom FAQs
Yes, boneless chicken breasts work well. Pound them to even thickness and reduce the final simmering time to 15-18 minutes to avoid drying them out.
Half-and-half works, though the sauce will be slightly thinner. You can also use full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free version with a subtle coconut flavor.
Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese. The flavor will be different but still delicious.
The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees when measured with a meat thermometer. The juices should run clear, not pink.
Absolutely. Add a half cup of white wine after cooking the mushrooms and let it reduce by half before adding the broth.
White rice, jasmine rice, or basmati rice all pair beautifully with this dish. Brown rice adds a nutty flavor and extra fiber.