Creamy Chicken Stroganoff Recipe

You're about to discover a weeknight dinner game-changer that'll transform your kitchen into a comfort food paradise. Creamy Chicken Stroganoff isn't just another recipe—it's a quick, satisfying meal that'll have your family asking for seconds. With minimal ingredients and under 30 minutes of cooking time, you'll create a restaurant-worthy dish that balances tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and a velvety sauce. Curious how this culinary magic happens? Let's break down the steps that'll turn ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Recipe Highlights

• A classic Chicken Stroganoff requires boneless chicken breasts, mushrooms, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and basic seasonings like salt and pepper.
• Cooking involves sautéing onions and mushrooms first, then browning seasoned chicken pieces in a skillet, creating a rich flavor foundation for the dish.
• The creamy sauce is developed by adding cream of mushroom soup and slowly incorporating sour cream, which provides a luxurious texture and tangy taste.
• Total preparation time is under 30 minutes, making this a fast and convenient weeknight dinner option that's simple enough for novice home cooks.
• Serve the Chicken Stroganoff over egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes, and consider garnishing with fresh parsley for added visual appeal and flavor.

History

Although many people associate stroganoff with Russian cuisine, the dish's origins are somewhat more complex than its traditional reputation suggests.

You'll discover that the recipe was likely named after the Stroganov family, prominent Russian aristocrats in the 19th century. While beef was the original protein, culinary evolution transformed the dish over decades.

Count Pavel Stroganov's personal chef is credited with creating the first version, featuring thin strips of beef in a rich, creamy sauce. As global cuisines began to intermingle, chefs started experimenting with different proteins, leading to variations like chicken stroganoff.

You might be surprised to learn that the dish quickly spread beyond Russia, becoming a beloved comfort food in countries like the United States and Brazil. Its adaptability has made stroganoff a truly international recipe.

Recipe

Rich and comforting, Chicken Stroganoff transforms classic beef stroganoff into a lighter yet equally satisfying meal. This simplified version showcases tender chicken pieces enveloped in a creamy, mushroom-infused sauce that comes together quickly and easily.

Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pan dish delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, allowing home cooks to create a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes. By using basic ingredients and a straightforward cooking method, even novice chefs can master this delicious comfort food.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 8 ounces mushrooms
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 8 ounces sour cream
• 1 medium onion
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil

Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.

In the same skillet, sauté onions and mushrooms until softened and lightly caramelized, approximately 5 minutes.

Return chicken to the pan and pour in cream of mushroom soup. Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.

Reduce heat to low and gently fold in sour cream, being careful not to let the sauce boil. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until everything is heated through and well combined.

When preparing Chicken Stroganoff, remember that gentle heating is key to preventing the sour cream from separating. If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it with a little chicken broth or milk.

Serve over egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes, and consider garnishing with fresh parsley for added color and flavor. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and gently reheated within 2-3 days.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by seasoning your chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then cook them in a hot skillet until they're golden brown and delicious.

Next, sauté your onions and mushrooms in the same pan, capturing all those wonderful browned bits of flavor from the chicken.

Once your vegetables are softened, you'll return the chicken to the pan, add the cream of mushroom soup, and let everything simmer together, creating a rich, creamy base for your stroganoff.

Step 1. Season Chicken Pieces

Three key steps will transform your chicken pieces from bland to beautifully seasoned for this stroganoff.

First, pat your chicken pieces dry with paper towels, which ensures proper browning and helps seasonings adhere. Use kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, applying about 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper per pound of chicken.

Don't just sprinkle randomly; evenly coat each piece, gently pressing the seasonings into the meat's surface.

Pro tip: Let seasoned chicken rest for 5 minutes at room temperature before cooking, allowing the salt to penetrate and enhance flavor.

This technique guarantees each bite will be perfectly seasoned, creating a more complex and satisfying stroganoff that'll have everyone asking for seconds.

Step 2. Sauté Onions and Mushrooms

Transform your skillet into a flavor foundation by sautéing onions and mushrooms, which will create a rich, aromatic base for your chicken stroganoff.

Start by heating a tablespoon of oil over medium heat, then add your diced onions. Cook them until they become translucent and slightly golden, about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.

Next, introduce the sliced mushrooms to the same pan. They'll release moisture and begin to brown, developing deep, earthy flavors.

Sauté for 5-6 minutes, ensuring they're evenly cooked and caramelized. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to enhance their natural taste.

The vegetables will create a delicious, umami-rich backdrop that elevates the entire stroganoff dish.

Step 3. Return Chicken to Pan

After your onions and mushrooms have beautifully caramelized, it's time to reunite the golden-brown chicken pieces with the skillet's flavorful foundation. Gently return the chicken to the pan, allowing it to nestle among the softened vegetables. This step ensures that every piece becomes thoroughly coated with the developing flavors.

• Place chicken back into the skillet carefully
• Distribute pieces evenly across the surface
• Use a wooden spoon to gently mix ingredients

The goal is temperature integration and flavor melding. Your chicken should still be warm from initial cooking, which helps maintain the dish's overall heat.

Step 4. Add Cream of Mushroom Soup

Since your chicken and vegetables are now perfectly nestled in the skillet, you'll want to pour in the cream of mushroom soup, which will become the luxurious foundation of your stroganoff sauce.

Open the can and gently pour the condensed soup directly over the chicken, onions, and mushrooms, stirring carefully to distribute the soup evenly throughout the pan.

Use a wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula to blend the ingredients, ensuring that every piece of chicken is coated with the creamy soup.

Allow the mixture to simmer for about 10 minutes, which will help the flavors meld together and create a rich, cohesive sauce.

The soup will thicken slightly and provide a velvety base for the remaining ingredients.

Step 5. Stir and Heat Thoroughly

Gently lower the heat to ensure your stroganoff sauce doesn't break or curdle when you add the sour cream.

You'll want to maintain a low, steady temperature that allows the dairy to incorporate smoothly into the dish. Stir the sour cream slowly and deliberately, using a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to blend it completely with the cream of mushroom soup and chicken.

Watch for a uniform, creamy consistency that coats the chicken and mushrooms evenly. Continue heating for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even warming.

The goal is to heat the stroganoff thoroughly without boiling, which could cause separation or a grainy texture. Your patience will reward you with a silky, luxurious sauce that clings perfectly to each bite.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a comforting meal that'll impress your family, this chicken stroganoff recipe delivers both simplicity and flavor.

You'll find this dish remarkably adaptable: serve it over egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes to suit your mood. The creamy sauce and tender chicken pieces make it a crowd-pleaser that's sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation.

Don't be afraid to experiment with subtle variations, like adding a splash of white wine or fresh herbs for extra depth.

Remember that the key to perfect stroganoff is gentle heating after adding sour cream and tasting for seasoning.

With minimal ingredients and quick preparation, you'll have a delicious homemade meal in under 30 minutes.