Chicken and mushrooms are one of those perfect pairings. They’re both mild-flavored, they cook fast together, and they’re both so much better when they’re paired with wine. In fact, we think this chicken and mushroom wine sauce is the best easy dinner idea you’ll ever find. In case you didn’t know, the combination of chicken and mushrooms cooked in red wine—called coq au vin—originally comes from France.
This dish is usually served as a main course with mashed potatoes or another starch side. It’s also frequently served with a creamy sauce made from the juices left behind after cooking the chicken and mushrooms in red wine. We decided to combine all of these elements into one easy skillet dinner that’s packed with flavor, but also really fast to make!
Ingredients
- 12oz chicken (thighs or breasts, or a combination)
- 1oz butter
- 1lb mushrooms (Portobello or button are best)
- 1/2 cup red wine (use the same wine you’ll cook the chicken in)
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Cooking Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper and then add it to the pan.
- Cook for about 5 minutes, until it’s golden brown on the bottom.
- Flip the chicken over, then add the mushrooms and red wine.
- Cover the pan and let it cook for about 10 minutes.
- Add the chicken stock and let everything simmer until the chicken is cooked through.
- Remove the lid, turn the heat off, and stir in the heavy cream.
Get the Recipe
You can make this skillet chicken and mushroom wine sauce recipe any time you have a craving for a warming and hearty dinner. The best part is, that it only takes the time it takes to cook the chicken and the mushrooms, and then you can use the liquid left in the pan to make a delicious sauce to go over the top.
We recommend serving this with either noodles or mashed potatoes. The starchiness of either one is the perfect accompaniment to the creamy sauce made from wine and stock. You can also serve this with high-quality French bread or crusty baguettes to soak up every last drop of sauce.
Also try: Easy teriyaki chicken
Tips and Tricks
The mushrooms will soak up the wine in this recipe. If that’s not something you want, choose mushrooms that are low-moisture—such as shiitake or morel—or omit them altogether.
You can also use a saucepan to make this recipe if you don’t have a large enough skillet.
Use a high-quality French red wine for this recipe if you can—it really makes a difference.
Nutrition Facts
First thing first: no matter how healthy your meal may be, you need to keep an eye on the calories. You should aim for a calorie count of no more than 1,500 per day. Skillet Chicken and Mushroom Wine Sauce is a great dish for vegetarians and people who want to keep their calorie intake low.
Skillet Chicken and Mushroom Wine Sauce is also a good choice for people who are looking for a lower-calorie dinner option. One serving has only 50 calories, which makes it easy to fit into any healthy diet plan.
And since Skillet Chicken and Mushroom Wine Sauce is made with fresh ingredients, there are no preservatives, artificial flavors, or colors in the recipe. It means that you can feel good about eating this dish as part of your regular meal plan.
Conclusion
This is a simple, one-pot recipe for chicken and mushrooms cooked in red wine. It’s commonly served at the end of the meal or as a light dinner. If you’re making your own homemade red wine, feel free to substitute.
If you’re not much of a wine person, you can also use chicken stock or even water instead of wine. We promise it will be amazing—the sauce will be rich and delicious, and the olives will add a little something extra.
Carrots are sweet and tangy. They pair well with the chicken and mushrooms, so they make an excellent side dish.