Easy 30-Minute Creamy Mushroom Chicken Stroganoff: A Weeknight Comfort Food Favorite
Indulge in the rich, velvety, and utterly satisfying flavors of a classic Mushroom and Chicken Stroganoff. This timeless comfort food recipe brings together succulent, tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and a luscious, creamy sauce that tastes like it simmered for hours, yet it’s incredibly quick to prepare. Imagine a hearty meal that’s ready in just about 30 minutes and requires only five main ingredients! This is truly an easy chicken stroganoff recipe designed for busy lives without compromising on flavor. Get ready to add a new favorite to your dinner rotation.
Much like other beloved chicken dishes such as Crusted Chicken Romano, this stroganoff excels in its simplicity. It doesn’t demand a pantry full of exotic spices or a complicated list of gourmet components. Instead, it relies on readily available ingredients to create a deeply flavorful and satisfying meal that the whole family will adore. This recipe is all about maximizing taste with minimal effort, making it the perfect solution for those hectic weeknights when you crave something wholesome and delicious.
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🥘 Essential Ingredients for Creamy Chicken Stroganoff
One of the beauties of this recipe is its straightforward ingredient list. Beyond the fundamental five—not including pantry staples like salt, pepper, and olive oil—another significant time-saver on a busy evening is that you won’t need to meticulously dice your chicken tenders before cooking. This thoughtful shortcut means less prep work and a quicker path to dinner. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:
- Chicken Tenders or Chicken Breast: I prefer using chicken tenders because their consistent thickness ensures even cooking. However, feel free to use one or two chicken breasts, simply slicing them into 1-inch strips to achieve a similar result. The goal is bite-sized, tender chicken that easily breaks apart in the skillet.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: This humble ingredient is a secret weapon, providing a foundational umami flavor and contributing to the rich consistency of our stroganoff sauce. It effortlessly boosts the mushroom and chicken flavor profile, making the sauce taste homemade with minimal effort.
- Onion Soup Mix: Just one envelope of this mix is all it takes to impart a deep, savory, and aromatic flavor to the dish. It eliminates the need for chopping fresh onions and offers a complex blend of spices. If you prefer a scratch-made substitute with potentially less sodium, check the Recipe FAQs section for details.
- Sour Cream: The star ingredient for achieving that signature silky, tangy, and incredibly creamy texture in the stroganoff sauce! It’s what transforms the simple ingredients into a truly indulgent experience. Ensure it’s added at the right stage to prevent curdling.
- Fresh Mushrooms: Embrace any variety of fresh mushrooms you love! White button, cremini (baby bellas), or even sliced portobello mushrooms work wonderfully. Fresh mushrooms provide an earthy depth that is essential to any good stroganoff. Avoid canned mushrooms for the best texture and flavor.
For a delightful side, consider a fresh, leafy green salad dressed with homemade Blue Cheese Vinaigrette – it’s a delicious complement to the rich stroganoff. If you’re a fan of chicken recipes that utilize chicken tenders for their convenience and tenderness, you might also enjoy my Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Strips.
⭐ Why This Mushroom and Chicken Stroganoff is a Must-Try
This Mushroom and Chicken Stroganoff recipe has earned its place as a cherished family favorite for several compelling reasons:
- It’s incredibly easy to make. The minimal prep work is a game-changer. You don’t even need to bother dicing the chicken before you start cooking! Simply toss the chicken tenders into the skillet, and once they’re cooked through, they easily break apart into perfect bite-sized pieces with a spoon or spatula directly in the pan. This eliminates a significant step and streamlines your cooking process.
- Quick enough for a delicious weeknight meal. In today’s fast-paced world, quick and flavorful meals are essential. This stroganoff is ridiculously easy to prepare, making it an ideal option for those evenings when you get home from work or school and need a satisfying dinner on the table without a fuss. From start to finish, you’re looking at about 30 minutes.
- The sauce is unbelievably delicious! Despite its quick preparation time, the creamy, savory sauce tastes like it’s been lovingly simmering on the stove for hours, developing deep, complex flavors. The combination of cream of mushroom soup, onion soup mix, and sour cream creates a rich, tangy, and perfectly seasoned base that coats every piece of chicken and mushroom beautifully.
Looking for a tasty appetizer to kick things off? The savory notes in Simple Artichoke Dip make it a fantastic first course, fun to serve with crackers while your stroganoff simmers to perfection.
📋 Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Chicken Stroganoff
Step 1: Begin by heating one tablespoon of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Allow the oil to get hot and just start to shimmer, indicating it’s ready for the chicken.
Step 2: Carefully add the chicken tenders to the hot skillet. Cook them in the shimmering olive oil, turning occasionally, until the chicken is partially cooked and lightly browned on the outside. They don’t need to be cooked through at this stage.
Step 3: Sprinkle the entire envelope of onion soup mix evenly over the chicken in the skillet. Add your fresh mushrooms, stirring everything to combine. Continue to simmer for approximately 10 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and has become tender enough to easily break apart with a spoon or spatula. The mushrooms will soften and release their moisture, blending with the chicken and soup mix flavors.
Pro Tip: One 2-ounce envelope of Lipton Onion Soup Mix is precisely what you need for this recipe. Keep a second envelope handy for your next batch – you’ll want to make this again soon!
For a truly thick and creamy sauce, consistency is key. We want a luscious sauce, not a watery one. While Cream of Mushroom Soup is my go-to for this recipe, offering an incredible depth of flavor, Cream of Chicken Soup makes a surprisingly tasty and equally effective substitute if that’s what you have on hand or prefer. Both options contribute to the desired rich base.
Pro Tip: This recipe specifically calls for one 10.5-ounce can of Cream of Mushroom Soup. It is crucial to use the entire can, completely undiluted. Do not add any water to the soup, as this will prevent the sauce from reaching its desired thickness and creaminess.
Step 4: Now, add the full can of undiluted Cream of Mushroom Soup to the skillet. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and coated in the developing sauce. Once mixed, cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Allow it to continue cooking for about 10 more minutes, letting the flavors meld beautifully. Be vigilant during this stage to prevent the sauce from scorching on the bottom of the pan; stir occasionally if needed.
Step 5: Remove the lid from the skillet and gently stir in the sour cream. Incorporate it completely until the sauce is smooth and uniformly creamy. Increase the heat to medium and continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the sour cream is piping hot and fully integrated, but it is essential to avoid letting it come to a full boil, as this can cause the sour cream to curdle. This final step transforms the sauce into its signature rich and tangy consistency.
🍗 How to Serve Mushroom and Chicken Stroganoff for the Ultimate Comfort
The versatility of Mushroom and Chicken Stroganoff means it pairs beautifully with a variety of side dishes, making it easy to tailor to your family’s preferences or what you have on hand. Classic choices truly enhance the comfort food experience:
- Pasta: Egg noodles are a traditional favorite, but any wide pasta like fettuccine or tagliatelle works wonderfully, providing the perfect canvas for the rich sauce.
- Rice: Fluffy white rice or brown rice can absorb the creamy sauce, creating a satisfying and wholesome meal.
- Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy baked potatoes, or even crispy roasted potato wedges are excellent choices that complement the rich flavors of the stroganoff.
- Toast: Don’t underestimate the simple pleasure of buttered toast or garlic bread! It’s fantastic for soaking up every last drop of that delicious sauce.
- Roasted Vegetables: For a lighter option or to add some greens, serve it alongside oven-roasted broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or classic cooked green beans.
To add a final flourish, consider sprinkling a bit of dried parsley on top of each serving for a pop of color and fresh herb flavor. A generous grinding of fresh black pepper also enhances the dish beautifully and is an optional, but highly recommended, garnish.
Pro Tip: For an incredibly quick and easy serving option, especially on a busy night, simply serving your Mushroom and Chicken Stroganoff over toast is a surprisingly delightful choice. The crispy bread provides a wonderful textural contrast to the creamy sauce.
💭 Recipe FAQs and Tips
Absolutely! If you’re looking to reduce sodium or prefer a homemade blend, you can replicate the flavor of onion soup mix. As an excellent option, combine ¼ cup dried onion flakes, ½ teaspoon of black pepper, and salt to taste (start with ¼ teaspoon and adjust as needed), along with 1-2 teaspoons of low sodium soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce for added depth. This combination will closely mimic the savory profile. Keep in mind that packaged onion soup mix often includes a thickening agent, so to achieve the same consistency, you might need to whisk in a ½ teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water before adding it to your dish. Stir it in after the chicken is cooked but before adding the cream of mushroom soup.
Yes, you can use plain yogurt as a substitute for sour cream, but with a few considerations. I highly recommend using whole milk Greek yogurt because its thicker consistency and tanginess are the closest in flavor and texture to sour cream. In general, yogurt has less fat than sour cream, which makes it more susceptible to curdling when exposed to high heat. When adding yogurt, be sure to temper it by stirring a small amount of the hot sauce into the yogurt first, then slowly add the tempered yogurt to the skillet. Watch the temperature carefully as you stir it in, bringing it to a piping hot, but definitely not boiling, serving temperature to prevent curdling.
Stroganoff is a classic dish with a rich history dating back to 19th-century Russia, linked to the prominent Stroganov family. While many variations exist today, the fundamental concept of a stroganoff generally involves meat (traditionally beef, but chicken is also popular) sautéed with onions and cooked in a rich, creamy sauce made with sour cream and various seasonings, often including mushrooms. This particular recipe takes a few clever shortcuts by incorporating dried onions from the soup mix and a canned cream soup to swiftly create a deeply flavorful and satisfying sauce, making it accessible for home cooks.
Slow Cooker Option for Hands-Off Perfection
This Mushroom and Chicken Stroganoff recipe is wonderfully adaptable, making it a perfect candidate for your slow cooker. This method is ideal for those days when you want to set it and forget it, returning to a fully cooked, comforting meal.
Step 1: In a 4 or 4.5-quart slow cooker, combine the raw chicken tenders (no need to brown them first for this method), the entire envelope of onion soup mix, your fresh mushrooms, and one can of cream of mushroom soup. Stir gently to ensure everything is well distributed.
Step 2: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to low. Allow the stroganoff to cook for approximately 6 hours. This slow cooking process will ensure the chicken becomes incredibly tender and infused with all the flavors. After cooking, lift the lid, give everything a good stir, and use a large, sturdy spoon or spatula to easily break the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Step 3: Finally, add the sour cream to the slow cooker. Stir it in thoroughly until the sauce is creamy and smooth. Replace the lid and continue cooking on low for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the sour cream is completely heated through and the sauce is wonderfully hot and luscious. Serve immediately over your favorite accompaniment.
🍄 How to Choose and Prepare Mushrooms for Your Stroganoff
The type of mushrooms you choose for your stroganoff can subtly influence its flavor and texture, but ultimately, it doesn’t matter which variety you pick. You’ll achieve fantastic results as long as the mushrooms are fresh and not canned. Fresh mushrooms offer a superior texture and a more robust, earthy flavor that canned varieties simply can’t match.
- White Button Mushrooms: These are the most common and widely available. They have a mild flavor that blends well into the creamy sauce. I often use sliced white mushrooms in this recipe.
- Cremini Mushrooms (Baby Bellas): These are slightly more mature than white button mushrooms, with a deeper, earthier flavor and firmer texture. They are an excellent choice for adding more complexity.
- Baby Portobello Mushrooms: Similar to cremini but often larger, these offer an even richer, meatier flavor. If using larger baby portobello mushrooms, you might want to slice or dice them into smaller, more manageable bite-sized pieces.
- Other Varieties: Feel free to experiment with shiitake, oyster, or even a wild mushroom blend if you’re feeling adventurous and want to elevate the flavor profile.
Before adding them to the skillet, gently wipe your fresh mushrooms clean with a damp cloth or paper towel. Avoid rinsing them under running water, as they tend to absorb water like sponges, which can make them soggy during cooking. Slice or dice them into bite-sized pieces, depending on their original size and your preference.
Pro Tip: Mushroom Stroganoff Variation
For mushroom lovers, or if you’re looking to create a vegetarian or lighter version of this dish, consider making a mushroom stroganoff. As an option, you can easily double up on the mushrooms (use about 16 ounces instead of 8) and use about half the amount of chicken – 1 pound instead of 2 pounds – or even omit the chicken entirely. This adjustment shifts the focus, creating a rich, deeply savory mushroom-centric stroganoff that is equally comforting and delicious.
🥡 Storage and Reheating for Leftovers
Leftover Mushroom and Chicken Stroganoff is a real treat, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld. To ensure freshness and safety, store any leftovers promptly. Place the stroganoff in a clean, covered, airtight container and refrigerate it. It will remain delicious and safe to eat within 3-5 days.
When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, there are a couple of excellent reheating methods:
- Oven Method: For a gentle reheat that preserves the sauce’s creaminess, transfer the leftover chicken stroganoff to a covered, heat-proof baking dish. Place it in an oven preheated to 275°F (135°C) for approximately 40 minutes, or until thoroughly heated through. This low and slow method helps prevent the sauce from separating.
- Stovetop Method: For a quicker reheat, place the stroganoff in a skillet on the stove over medium-high heat. Stir frequently to ensure even heating. Be particularly careful during this method to avoid scorching the sauce on the bottom of the pan, as high heat can cause it to stick. Reduce heat if it starts to bubble too vigorously.
- Microwave Method: For the fastest option, place a single serving on a microwave-safe plate or in a bowl, cover it (to prevent splattering and retain moisture), and microwave on medium power in 60-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.
🍲 More Delicious Chicken Recipes
Chicken is an incredibly adaptable protein, making it a staple in many kitchens, including mine! I particularly love how each recipe offers a unique flavor profile, proving chicken’s versatility. Dutch Oven Chicken is a consistently tried and true recipe in my household, delivering tender, flavorful results every time. Similarly, Spicy Chicken Alfredo Sauce provides a wonderful kick for those who enjoy a bit of heat. Here are a few more chicken-centric recipes that I’m confident you’ll enjoy adding to your culinary repertoire:
- 10 Dutch Oven Chicken Recipes
- Creamy Corn and Potato Soup
- Better Than Bouillon Gravy Recipe (Make-Ahead)
- Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
If you tried this delightful Mushroom and Chicken Stroganoff or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. Your feedback is invaluable, and I always look forward to hearing from you!
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Mushroom Chicken Stroganoff
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds chicken tenders – or chicken breasts sliced into 1″ strips
- 1 envelope onion soup mix
- 8 ounces fresh mushrooms
- 1 10.5 ounce can cream of mushroom soup – undiluted
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt – to taste
- 2 cups sour cream
Instructions
Stovetop Method (30 Minutes)
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet on the stove over medium heat until the oil starts to shimmer.
- Add chicken tenders to the skillet and simmer in the hot olive oil until the chicken is partially cooked and lightly browned.
- Sprinkle one envelope of onion soup mix on the chicken, add fresh mushrooms, and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and is easy to break apart into bite-sized portions with a spoon.
- Add the can of undiluted cream of mushroom soup, along with pepper and salt to taste. Stir until well combined. Cover and reduce heat to low. Continue cooking for 10 more minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
- Remove lid and stir in the sour cream until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Cook for a few more minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly, or until the sour cream is piping hot, but ensure it does not boil.
Serve
- Serve your creamy Mushroom Chicken Stroganoff by spooning it generously over cooked pasta (like egg noodles), fluffy mashed potatoes, steamed rice, toasted bread, or your favorite oven-roasted vegetables. Garnish with fresh parsley and a dash of black pepper if desired.
Notes
Please note, the nutrition details are estimated using a food database, so they’re just a rough estimate not an exact science.