As the leaves start to turn and the air gets crisp, there’s something undeniably comforting about a warm, creamy dish served right from the skillet. This Easy Chicken Stroganoff is the kind of recipe that brings everyone to the table — fast. With tender bites of chicken in a velvety mushroom sauce over a bed of egg noodles or mashed potatoes, it’s a satisfying meal you’ll want on repeat all season long.
What makes this dish a reader favorite? It’s simple enough for weeknights, cozy enough for weekends, and endlessly adaptable. Whether you’re curled up with a bowl in front of your favorite fall movie or serving it to guests with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this stroganoff always hits the mark.
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Easy Chicken Stroganoff
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Creamy, cozy, and full of flavor — this Easy Chicken Stroganoff features tender chicken, mushrooms, and a velvety sauce. Perfect for chilly nights and weeknight dinners alike.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 oz mushrooms (button or cremini), sliced
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp paprika
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Cooked egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice (for serving)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add to the skillet in batches and cook until browned on all sides, about 5–6 minutes total. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add chopped onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes until translucent. Stir in the garlic and mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes, until mushrooms brown.
- Sprinkle flour over the mushroom mixture and stir well to coat. Cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly pour in chicken broth while stirring, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Add Dijon mustard and paprika. Let it simmer for 4–5 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Lower the heat and stir in sour cream and heavy cream. Return chicken to the skillet and simmer for 5–7 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce is creamy.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot over noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice.
Notes
For the creamiest sauce, temper the sour cream before adding. Use thighs for juicier chicken and don’t rush the mushrooms — browning adds great flavor. This recipe reheats beautifully, making it perfect for leftovers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Comfort Food
🛒 Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this Easy Chicken Stroganoff at home:
For the chicken:
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
For the sauce:
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 oz mushrooms (button or cremini), sliced
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp paprika
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Cooked egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice (for serving)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Sear the chicken
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add to the skillet in batches and cook until browned on all sides, about 5–6 minutes total. Remove from skillet and set aside.
2. Sauté the vegetables
In the same skillet, add chopped onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes, until translucent. Stir in the garlic and mushrooms, cooking until the mushrooms release their moisture and begin to brown, about 5 minutes.
3. Make the roux
Sprinkle flour over the mushroom mixture and stir well to coat. Cook for 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.
4. Deglaze and build the sauce
Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Add Dijon mustard and paprika. Let the mixture simmer for 4–5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
5. Add creaminess
Lower the heat and stir in sour cream and heavy cream. Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Simmer on low for another 5–7 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce is rich and creamy.
6. Garnish and serve
Top with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot over egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes.
💡 Tips for Success
Making Easy Chicken Stroganoff is a breeze with a few simple tricks:
- Use thighs for extra juiciness: While chicken breasts work fine, thighs stay more tender and flavorful.
- Don’t rush the mushrooms: Letting them brown adds depth to the sauce.
- Temper your sour cream: For a smooth sauce, mix a spoonful of the hot sauce into the sour cream before adding it to the skillet.
- Go low and slow: Once the dairy is added, keep the heat low to prevent curdling.
🔄 Variations
Looking to switch things up? This cozy dish can be easily customized:
🧂 Gluten-Free Option
Swap the all-purpose flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend (like rice or oat flour). Serve with gluten-free pasta, mashed potatoes, or steamed rice.
🥕 Veggie Boost
Add spinach, peas, or steamed broccoli during the last 2–3 minutes of cooking for extra color and nutrition.
🧀 Extra Indulgent
Sprinkle in a handful of shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese right before serving for a melty finish.
🥔 No-Noodle Option
Serve it over roasted sweet potatoes or cauliflower mash for a cozy low-carb variation.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
This Easy Chicken Stroganoff is just as good the next day — maybe even better!
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- To Reheat: Gently warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce if needed.
🍂 A Fall Favorite, Year After Year
There’s something timeless about a creamy skillet dinner, especially when the air smells like cinnamon leaves and crisp evenings. This Easy Chicken Stroganoff is that go-to dish that brings smiles to the table — fuss-free, cozy, and full of flavor. Whether you’re whipping it up for a quiet weeknight or sharing it with loved ones, you’ll always come back to this comforting classic.