Description
Homemade baked chicken with mushrooms delivers a comforting Mediterranean-style dinner perfect for weeknight meals. Juicy chicken thighs roasted with earthy mushrooms create a delicious one-pan experience you’ll savor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 lb or 453 g), pounded to ¼-inch thickness
- 4 oz (113 g) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 8 oz (226 g) sliced button mushrooms
- ½ cup (120 ml) low sodium chicken broth
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil, divided
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Warm the oven to 375˚F and thoroughly coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray for optimal non-stick performance.
- Mushroom Foundation: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, meld butter and olive oil, then introduce mushrooms and onions. Cultivate a rich flavor profile by seasoning with salt and pepper, sautéing until the vegetables develop a soft, slightly caramelized texture.
- Aromatic Enhancement: Incorporate minced garlic into the mushroom mixture, stirring until the kitchen fills with a fragrant aroma. Distribute half of this flavorful blend across the prepared baking dish as a luxurious base.
- Chicken Seasoning: Craft a robust spice blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning. Generously coat the chicken breasts, ensuring every surface is lavishly seasoned.
- Searing Stage: Utilize the same skillet with remaining butter and olive oil to sear chicken breasts. Develop a golden-brown crust by cooking approximately 2 minutes per side, creating a tantalizing exterior.
- Layering and Liquid Integration: Position seared chicken atop the initial mushroom layer. Deglaze the skillet with chicken broth, meticulously scraping accumulated browned bits to capture maximum flavor. Reduce liquid slightly and pour evenly over the chicken.
- Cheese and Finishing Touch: Distribute remaining sautéed mushrooms across the chicken, then liberally sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese for a creamy, indulgent topping.
- Roasting Finale: Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven, roasting for 15 minutes until chicken reaches perfect doneness and cheese transforms into a molten, golden blanket. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous finish. Serve immediately while piping hot and irresistibly appetizing.
Notes
- Optimize Skillet Temperature: Use medium-high heat to achieve perfect caramelization on mushrooms without burning, creating deep flavor layers.
- Chicken Seasoning Technique: Generously coat chicken with dry spices before searing to lock in moisture and develop a delicious golden-brown exterior.
- Deglazing Secret: Scrape browned bits from skillet when adding chicken broth; these crusty remnants contain concentrated flavor that elevates the entire dish.
- Cheese Melting Tip: Sprinkle mozzarella evenly and watch closely during final baking to ensure perfect golden, bubbly cheese without overcooking chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 90mg