Cast Iron Creamy Mushroom Chicken
Dinner

Cast Iron Creamy Mushroom Chicken

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This Cast Iron Creamy Mushroom Chicken is a go-to recipe for a quick yet flavorful dinner. The chicken is cooked to perfection in a cast-iron skillet and paired with a rich, creamy mushroom sauce. It’s a simple dish that brings comfort and great taste to your dinner table. The savory sauce, combined with tender chicken, makes this a favorite in many households.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken drumsticks

  • 2 tablespoons butter

  • 1 small onion, chopped

  • 8 oz mushrooms, sliced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 cup chicken broth

  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

  2. Melt butter in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken drumsticks and brown each side for 2-3 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

  3. Add the chopped onion and sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until tender, then add the minced garlic and cook for another minute. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

  4. Pour in the chicken broth, and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Return the chicken to the pan.

  5. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear.

  6. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pan and set it aside. Place the skillet back on the stove over medium-high heat. Stir in the cream, Parmesan cheese, and Dijon mustard. Season with additional salt and pepper as needed. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes until slightly reduced.

  7. Pour the creamy sauce and mushrooms over the chicken and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Value

Here’s an approximate breakdown of Cast Iron Creamy Mushroom Chicken per serving (assuming the recipe serves 4):

Per Serving (1 chicken drumstick with sauce):

  • Calories: 400-450 kcal

  • Protein: 30-35 grams

  • Fat: 30-35 grams

    • Saturated Fat: 15-20 grams

  • Carbohydrates: 6-8 grams

    • Fiber: 1-2 grams

    • Sugar: 2-3 grams

  • Cholesterol: 95-105 mg

  • Sodium: 500-700 mg (depending on salt usage and broth)

  • Potassium: 350-400 mg

  • Calcium: 100-150 mg

  • Vitamin A: 400-600 IU

  • Vitamin C: 5-10 mg

  • Iron: 1-2 mg

This dish is rich in protein and fat, providing a hearty and satisfying meal. The mushrooms and onions add some fiber and micronutrients, while the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese make the sauce rich and indulgent. Keep in mind that the exact nutritional value may vary depending on the size of the chicken drumsticks and the amount of sauce used.

The Chicken: Tender and Flavorful

The star of this dish is the chicken drumsticks. They are a fantastic choice for this recipe due to their rich flavor, juicy texture, and ability to absorb the savory mushroom sauce. Cooking the drumsticks in a cast-iron skillet gives them a crispy, golden-brown exterior, which locks in the natural juices, ensuring the chicken remains tender and flavorful.

By searing the chicken in butter, it develops a crispy skin and deep flavor, which provides a nice contrast to the creamy, comforting sauce. The slow cooking in the oven allows the chicken to finish cooking through while staying moist and tender. The result is perfectly cooked chicken with a delightful texture that pairs beautifully with the rich sauce.

The Mushroom Sauce: Creamy and Savory

What truly elevates this dish is the creamy mushroom sauce. The mushrooms, sautéed with onions and garlic, create a savory base full of umami. The addition of chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and a touch of Dijon mustard brings depth to the sauce, while the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese give it a luxurious, velvety texture.

The sauce is both rich and balanced, with the earthy flavor of the mushrooms complementing the tangy mustard and the creaminess of the cheese. The Parmesan adds a nice salty bite, making the sauce full of savory goodness without being too heavy. Once the sauce simmers, it thickens slightly, making it perfect for spooning over the chicken and creating a hearty, comforting dish.

Cooking the Chicken and Sauce: A Simple One-Pan Meal

This recipe is straightforward and allows you to create the entire dish in one skillet, making cleanup quick and easy. After browning the chicken, you cook the mushrooms and onions in the same pan, allowing the vegetables to soak up the flavorful drippings left by the chicken. Then, after adding the broth, seasonings, and the chicken, the skillet is transferred to the oven to finish cooking the chicken while the sauce continues to develop.

Once the chicken is cooked through, the skillet is returned to the stovetop where the creamy ingredients are added. This is the final step where the sauce thickens and becomes wonderfully rich and smooth. The addition of Dijon mustard gives the sauce a slight tang, creating a nice contrast to the richness of the cream and cheese.

Garnishing and Serving: Adding Freshness and Color

Once the chicken is plated, the creamy mushroom sauce is poured over the top, creating a beautifully indulgent meal. A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a burst of color and a touch of freshness, balancing the richness of the sauce and providing a pop of flavor.

This dish pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, rice, or a simple salad, making it a well-rounded meal that will impress guests or satisfy a hungry family. The creamy sauce makes it perfect for scooping up with your favorite sides, and the tender chicken ensures that each bite is flavorful and satisfying.

Nutritional Profile of Cast Iron Creamy Mushroom Chicken

This dish offers a balanced combination of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, making it a satisfying and hearty meal. Each serving of Cast Iron Creamy Mushroom Chicken (one drumstick with sauce) contains approximately 400-450 calories. The dish is rich in protein, providing 30-35 grams per serving, which helps with muscle repair and supports a healthy metabolism.

The fat content is 30-35 grams, with 15-20 grams of saturated fat, which comes primarily from the butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese used in the sauce. While this may be considered high fat, the rich, creamy texture of the sauce makes the dish indulgent yet balanced in flavor. Additionally, the chicken provides healthy fats that contribute to overall nutrition.

With 6-8 grams of carbohydrates and 1-2 grams of fiber, this dish is relatively low in carbs, making it suitable for low-carb diets or those looking to maintain a balanced intake. The sugar content is low at 2-3 grams, coming from the natural sweetness in the onions and mushrooms.

This dish also provides essential minerals like potassium (350-400 mg) and calcium (100-150 mg), which support heart health and bone strength. It’s a good source of vitamin A (400-600 IU) from the mushrooms and onions, and it offers a modest amount of vitamin C (5-10 mg) from the mushrooms, which contributes to immune health. The iron content (1-2 mg) helps with healthy blood circulation.

Why You Should Try Cast Iron Creamy Mushroom Chicken

Cast Iron Creamy Mushroom Chicken is a simple yet impressive dish that is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal. The technique of cooking the chicken in a cast-iron skillet ensures it stays juicy, while the rich, creamy sauce elevates the entire dish. The mushrooms and onions bring depth and flavor, and the addition of Parmesan and Dijon mustard gives the sauce a deliciously complex taste that makes this dish so memorable.

This recipe is incredibly versatile, and you can customize it by adding your favorite herbs or swapping in different cuts of chicken if desired. Whether you’re cooking for a family or hosting friends, this dish is sure to be a hit. The one-pan cooking method means minimal cleanup, and the comforting flavors will leave everyone asking for more.

Conclusion

Cast Iron Creamy Mushroom Chicken is the ultimate comfort food that brings together tender chicken, savory mushrooms, and a creamy, flavorful sauce. It’s an easy-to-make dish that feels indulgent yet doesn’t require a lot of time or effort in the kitchen. With its rich flavors and satisfying texture, this dish is perfect for any occasion, whether you’re feeding a hungry family or serving a crowd. Serve it with your favorite sides and enjoy a meal that will become a new favorite in your home.

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