Sautéed Chicken with Mushrooms and Thyme
Tender chicken breasts cooked with earthy mushrooms and fresh thyme in a simple pan sauce that’s ready in under 20 minutes. This french-inspired chicken (high-protein) ready in about 35 minutes pairs (5 oz each) boneless chicken breasts, olive oil, sliced cremini mushrooms for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 (5 oz each) boneless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup, sliced cremini mushrooms
- 1 tbsp, leaves stripped fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 tsp coarse salt
- 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/4 tsp coarse salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add chicken breasts. Cook for 5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F), then transfer to a plate.
- Step 3: Add mushrooms to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes until golden and tender, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium, add 2 tbsp butter and minced garlic, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves and 1/4 cup heavy cream, cooking for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 6: Return chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over the top, and cook for 1 minute to reheat. Serve immediately with extra thyme.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Chicken with Mushrooms and Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Sautéed Chicken with Mushrooms and Thyme?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken with Mushrooms and Thyme?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Sautéed Chicken with Mushrooms and Thyme for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Sautéed Chicken with Mushrooms and Thyme high-protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high-protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
