If you’re looking for a dish that’s packed with flavor, comforting, and downright irresistible, then this Cheesy Garlic Butter Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Recipe is an absolute must-try. Imagine juicy chicken breasts stuffed with a rich, savory blend of mushrooms and gooey mozzarella, all cloaked in a luscious garlic butter sauce that elevates every bite. It’s the kind of meal that’s perfect for impressing guests or just treating yourself to a little slice of culinary heaven. Trust me, once you make it, it’ll quickly become one of your favorite go-to dinners!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients, each playing a crucial role in building layers of flavor, texture, and color. From earthy mushrooms and fragrant garlic to creamy cheeses and tender chicken, every element contributes to creating a harmonious and satisfying dish.
- Butter: Provides that rich, velvety base for sautéing and roasting, enhancing flavor complexity.
- Brown mushrooms (8 ounces, sliced): Earthy and hearty, they soak up the garlic butter for a deeply savory stuffing.
- Garlic (6 cloves, minced): Adds a robust, aromatic punch that brightens every component of the recipe.
- Fresh parsley (3 tablespoons, chopped): Adds a fresh, vibrant herbaceous note and a pop of green color.
- Chicken breasts (4 skinless, boneless): The main protein, tender and juicy when cooked just right.
- Salt, pepper, onion powder, dried parsley: A simple seasoning blend that perfectly complements the mushrooms and chicken.
- Mozzarella cheese (8 slices): Provides that deliciously melty, gooey texture inside each chicken pocket.
- Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup grated + 1/2 cup finely grated): Offers a sharp, nutty flavor in the filling and sauce.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Helps sear the chicken beautifully, creating a golden crust.
- Dijon mustard (1 tablespoon): Adds a subtle tanginess to the creamy sauce.
- Half and half (1½ cups): Ensures the sauce is luxuriously creamy without overpowering heaviness.
- Cornstarch mixed with water (optional): A handy trick to thicken the sauce if needed, keeping it silky smooth.
How to Make Cheesy Garlic Butter Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Mushroom Filling
Start by melting butter in a large oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Toss in freshly minced garlic and let it cook just until fragrant, about a minute. Then add your sliced mushrooms alongside salt, pepper, and fresh parsley. Cook it down until the mushrooms soften and become all tender and delicious. Once ready, set this flavorful mixture aside to cool—this is the heart of the stuffing that makes every bite unforgettable.
Step 2: Season the Chicken
Next, pat your chicken breasts dry to ensure a nice sear later. Season them generously with salt, pepper, onion powder, and dried parsley. Getting these seasonings into the meat itself really builds a deeper flavor profile that complements the stuffing beautifully.
Step 3: Stuff the Chicken Breasts
Carefully slice a horizontal pocket into the thickest part of each chicken breast—this is where all the magic happens! Place two slices of mozzarella cheese inside each pocket, then stuff them evenly with that gorgeous mushroom mixture. Sprinkle a tablespoon of freshly grated Parmesan in each pocket, then secure the openings with toothpicks to keep everything snug and melty inside.
Step 4: Sear and Bake
Heat olive oil in the same skillet to capture all those savory mushroom flavors left behind. Sear the stuffed chicken breasts on both sides until you get an irresistible golden crust. Once perfectly browned, cover the pan with a lid or foil and pop it in your preheated 400°F oven. Bake for about 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through, juicy, and tender.
Step 5: Make the Creamy Garlic Mushroom Sauce
While the chicken is baking, use the pan juices to your advantage! Add the remaining minced garlic and cook gently for a minute, then whisk in Dijon mustard and half and half. Let this simmer softly to meld flavors before stirring in the Parmesan cheese and any leftover mushroom bits. If the sauce seems too thin, adding the cornstarch slurry is a perfect way to thicken it up without losing that creamy texture.
Step 6: Finishing Touch and Serving
Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and fresh parsley, then nestle the baked chicken back into the skillet, spooning generous amounts of that dreamy sauce over the top. This final step ties everything together, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience you’re going to adore.
How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Butter Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley not only brightens the dish visually but adds a fresh herbal tone that balances the richness. For a little extra color and crunch, toasted pine nuts or thinly sliced green onions are fantastic options to elevate the presentation.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs beautifully with simple sides that soak up the creamy garlic mushroom sauce. Think buttery mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or even a bed of your favorite pasta. Steamed green beans or a crisp mixed green salad add the perfect fresh contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, slice the stuffed chicken after baking and fan out the pieces on a platter, drizzling the sauce over each slice. You could also serve it family-style in the skillet, letting everyone dig in with plenty of sauce. Garnishing with edible flowers or microgreens adds sophistication if you’re entertaining guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, place leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. This dish reheats well while maintaining juiciness and flavor, making it great for next-day meals.
Freezing
You can freeze the fully cooked chicken with sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. To avoid watery chicken, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently.
Reheating
Reheat slowly on the stovetop over low heat or in the oven covered with foil to keep the chicken moist. If needed, add a splash of cream or broth to refresh the sauce’s creaminess during reheating.
FAQs
Can I use other types of mushrooms in this recipe?
Absolutely! While brown mushrooms add a wonderful earthiness, button mushrooms, cremini, or even shiitake would work great and offer their own unique flavors. Just make sure to slice them thinly for even cooking and stuffing.
Is it possible to prepare this recipe without dairy?
It’s a bit tricky to capture the signature creaminess without butter and cheese, but you could substitute with dairy-free butter and vegan cheese options. The sauce could be made creamy using coconut milk or cashew cream instead of half and half.
How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
The best way is to use a meat thermometer—when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), it’s perfectly done. The chicken should be juicy with no pink in the center, easily pierced with a fork.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the garlic mushroom sauce in advance and gently reheat it before serving. Just stir well and add a splash of cream if it thickens too much in the fridge.
What sides pair best with this Cheesy Garlic Butter Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Recipe?
Light, fresh sides such as steamed veggies or a crisp green salad balance the richness, while comforting starchy sides like mashed potatoes or pasta soak up the sauce perfectly. Choose based on your mood!
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Cheesy Garlic Butter Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Recipe enough if you want a meal that feels both indulgent and homemade. The combination of juicy chicken, melty cheese, savory mushrooms, and that unforgettably creamy garlic sauce hits all the right notes. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed at how simple ingredients come together to create something truly spectacular. Bon appétit!
Print
Cheesy Garlic Butter Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Cheesy Garlic Butter Mushroom Stuffed Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts filled with a savory blend of sautéed garlic mushrooms and melty mozzarella cheese, then baked to perfection. Finished with a rich and creamy garlic Parmesan sauce, it’s an elegant and comforting meal perfect for gatherings or a special weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
For the Mushroom Filling:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 8 ounces brown mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Chicken:
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to season
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 8 slices mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Toothpicks for securing
For the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 cups half and half (or reduced-fat cream or evaporated milk)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water (optional, for thicker sauce)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed chicken.
- Cook Mushroom Filling: In a large oven-proof skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add sliced mushrooms, salt, pepper, and parsley, cooking until mushrooms are soft and flavorful. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Chicken Breasts: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season each one evenly with salt, pepper, onion powder, and dried parsley.
- Stuff Chicken: Carefully slice a pocket horizontally through the thickest part of each chicken breast. Stuff each pocket with 2 slices of mozzarella cheese, then divide the mushroom mixture among them. Top with a tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese per breast. Secure openings with toothpicks to keep stuffing inside during cooking.
- Sear Chicken: In the same skillet used for the mushrooms (add olive oil if needed), heat over medium heat and sear each stuffed chicken breast on both sides until golden brown, developing a flavorful crust.
- Bake Chicken: Cover the skillet with a lid or foil and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
- Make Sauce: Using the same skillet, cook minced garlic over low heat for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add Dijon mustard and half and half, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Finish Sauce: Stir in Parmesan cheese and any remaining mushrooms. Let the sauce simmer gently until the cheese melts slightly. If the sauce is too thin, stir in the cornstarch-water mixture to thicken it to your desired consistency.
- Season and Serve: Season the sauce with salt and pepper, stir in chopped parsley, and return the stuffed chicken to the skillet. Spoon the creamy garlic mushroom sauce over the chicken. Serve immediately over pasta, rice, or your favorite vegetables.
Notes
- Make sure to dry the chicken breasts well before seasoning to ensure a good sear.
- If you don’t have brown mushrooms, cremini or white button mushrooms are good substitutes.
- The cornstarch slurry is optional but helps thicken the sauce if preferred.
- For a lower-fat option, use evaporated milk instead of half and half.
- Secure chicken pockets tightly with toothpicks to prevent filling from spilling during cooking.
