Homemade Chicken Stroganoff is a quick weeknight favorite, featuring tender chicken pieces and mushrooms in a creamy, savory sauce. This recipe comes together in 40 minutes, providing a cozy and flavorful meal for your whole family to enjoy tonight.
Homemade Chicken Stroganoff is truly the definition of comfort food perfection for your family. This simple recipe takes the classic creamy sauce and pairs it with tender, quickly cooked chicken pieces. You can have this entire dish ready and on your table in under an hour for a delicious weeknight meal. Get ready to enjoy a deeply savory flavor thanks to the mushrooms and a touch of tangy sour cream.
Key Takeaways
- This simple recipe requires only 40 minutes from start to finish.
- The key to flavor is properly browning the chicken and mushrooms.
- Serve this creamy dish over egg noodles, rice, or even mashed potatoes.
- Use full-fat sour cream to ensure your sauce is rich and avoids curdling.
Homemade Chicken Stroganoff is a savory dish featuring chicken pieces browned and simmered in a creamy sauce made from chicken broth, Dijon mustard, and sour cream. You can prepare this dish quickly using one skillet, making it perfect for busy evenings. The rich sauce and tender chicken make this a comforting meal you will want to make often.
Homemade Chicken Stroganoff
You may be wondering exactly where this amazing dish comes from and why it is so popular. The original Stroganoff recipe is a classic of Russian cuisine, traditionally using beef slices instead of chicken. This modern version became popular for its faster cooking time and milder flavor. It still keeps that luscious, creamy sauce everyone loves.
You will find that using chicken breast allows you to prepare this dish much faster than traditional beef varieties. The creamy sauce clings perfectly to the pieces of chicken, delivering a burst of flavor in every single bite. It is a fantastic option when you need a hearty meal that doesn’t sacrifice taste or quality. This recipe proves a rich, satisfying dinner can be surprisingly simple.
The History of the Stroganoff Dish
The original dish dates back to 19th-century Russia, named after a wealthy family, the Stroganovs. It typically featured seared beef served in a sauce containing smetana, which is a type of sour cream. You can appreciate how this simple combination of ingredients has stood the test of time, becoming a global comfort food staple.
You should know that the recipe has been adapted countless times as it traveled across the world, especially when it came to America. Using chicken makes it lighter and easier to cook, but you retain that signature tangy, mushroom-filled cream sauce. This rich history ensures you are cooking a truly classic dish with a modern twist.
Gathering the Perfect Homemade Chicken Stroganoff Ingredients
The beauty of this Homemade Chicken Stroganoff recipe lies in its incredibly simple and accessible ingredient list. You likely have most of the necessary items already stocked in your pantry and refrigerator. Focus on quality ingredients, especially the mushrooms and sour cream, for the best final taste. You should always aim for fresh cremini mushrooms.
You must ensure you have high-quality chicken broth because it forms the base of your sauce and adds essential savory depth. Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce are critical for developing the signature tang and umami flavor of the Stroganoff sauce. Do not forget to visit the Main Course category for more dinner ideas.
Choosing the Best Chicken Cut
You should use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe because they cook quickly and remain tender. Cutting them into 1-inch pieces ensures they brown fast and cook through evenly, preventing dryness. If you prefer a richer flavor, you could easily substitute chicken thighs, though the cooking time may increase slightly.
You must always remember to pat your chicken dry with a paper towel before seasoning and dredging. This small step is important as it helps the flour coating stick better and promotes a superior brown crust when searing. This quick browning step is where you lock in a lot of your flavor.
Selecting the Right Mushrooms and Cream
Cremini or baby bella mushrooms are your best choice for their deep, earthy flavor and firm texture that holds up in the creamy sauce. You should slice them evenly so they cook at the same rate when sautéed with the onions. This ensures the best texture in your finished dish.
Always use full-fat sour cream when preparing this Homemade Chicken Stroganoff sauce. Lower-fat versions tend to curdle when added to a hot liquid, resulting in a grainy sauce texture. If your cream is cold, temper it by stirring in some hot broth before adding it to the skillet.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions for Homemade Chicken Stroganoff
Cooking this dish is straightforward, requiring just one large skillet and a few simple steps. The process begins with seasoning and searing your chicken to create a flavorful base for the sauce. Remember that good browning is essential for building a deep, rich taste in the final product.
You must work in batches when searing the chicken to ensure the pieces brown nicely instead of steaming in the pan. After the chicken is done, you then use the same pan to build the sauce, absorbing all those delicious browned bits, which are known as the fond. This technique is key to creating a complex, well-rounded flavor.
Perfecting the Chicken Sear
The first step is seasoning your chicken generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder before lightly dredging it in flour. This flour coating helps thicken the sauce later and gives the chicken a nice crust. You should heat the olive oil until shimmering before adding the chicken pieces.
Make sure you do not overcrowd the skillet while the chicken is cooking. Cook the chicken for about three minutes on each side until it is golden brown and fully cooked internally. Transfer the chicken to a clean plate and set it aside while you prepare the creamy Stroganoff sauce.
Building the Creamy Mushroom Sauce Base
You can now add the remaining olive oil and butter to the skillet along with your sliced cremini mushrooms and chopped onions. You should sauté these vegetables for 6 to 8 minutes until they are deeply browned and tender. This browning process is important as it concentrates their flavor.
Next, you will stir in the minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, cooking for just one minute. This step wakes up those aromatic flavors before you pour in the chicken broth. Scrape the bottom of the pan to incorporate any browned bits; this is a powerful flavor booster.
Tips for Serving and Customizing Homemade Chicken Stroganoff
Once your Homemade Chicken Stroganoff is cooked, you have many options for serving to make it a complete, satisfying meal. Traditionally, it is served over egg noodles, but it works equally well with rice or mashed potatoes. You can also pair it with something green, like a simple salad.
You should consider what side dishes would complement the richness of the creamy sauce, like a crisp green salad or some steamed broccoli. This recipe is also highly customizable, allowing you to easily adjust the spices or add extra vegetables to suit your own personal preferences. You should check out Easy Honey Garlic Chicken for more ideas.
Choosing the Best Accompaniment
Egg noodles are a traditional favorite for serving Stroganoff because their broad surface area holds the sauce perfectly. Cook the noodles separately according to the package directions, then spoon the creamy chicken mixture directly over them. This combination ensures every bite is coated in the delicious sauce.
If you prefer a lighter side, try serving your Stroganoff over fluffy white rice or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative. You could also serve it with creamy Crispy Cauliflower, which offers a great contrast to the rich sauce. Remember to check out my Pinterest for inspiring side dish photos.
Enhancing the Flavor Profile of Your Stroganoff
For an even richer sauce, you can stir in a small pat of butter along with the sour cream at the very end. The butter will melt into the sauce, adding depth and a glossy finish. This little trick gives your creamy sauce an even more restaurant-quality texture that you will love.
You may also consider incorporating different herbs like a pinch of dried thyme or paprika for an extra layer of warmth and complexity. If you want a fun crunch, try garnishing the finished dish with crispy fried shallots, adding a delightful textural contrast. You can also learn more about paprika to find the best variety to use.
Making Sure Your Sauce Stays Smooth and Creamy
The number one concern when making any Stroganoff is preventing the sour cream from curdling or separating when it is added to the hot liquid. You can take a few simple steps to ensure your sauce remains perfectly smooth and velvety. These techniques are helpful for any recipe that uses a cultured cream.
You must follow the instructions to remove the skillet from the heat before stirring in the sour cream. This crucial step prevents the high temperature from shocking the cream and causing it to break. Your patience here will be rewarded with a beautiful, unified sauce that coats the chicken beautifully.
The Importance of Tempering Cream
Tempering is a simple technique where you slowly bring the temperature of the cold sour cream closer to the temperature of the hot sauce. You simply scoop about half a cup of the hot chicken broth into the bowl with your sour cream and mix it well. You should make sure the skillet is off the heat before this step.
Once you have tempered the sour cream, you can slowly stir the mixture back into the skillet with the chicken and the rest of the sauce ingredients. This gentle temperature adjustment ensures the cream incorporates smoothly without any lumps. You can see more cooking videos on my Instagram account.
Prep-Ahead and Storage Options for Homemade Chicken Stroganoff
One great thing about this Homemade Chicken Stroganoff recipe is how well it works for meal prepping or making ahead of time. You can handle most of the preparation steps hours or even a day before you plan to cook the meal. This saves you significant time on busy weeknights, making dinner a breeze.
You can easily chop your chicken, slice your mushrooms, and dice your onions in advance. Storing these prepared ingredients in separate airtight containers in your refrigerator will shave off a lot of active cooking time. Having everything ready to go lets you focus only on the cooking process itself when dinner time arrives.
Preparing Components in Advance
You can cut up the chicken, toss it with the seasonings, and dredge it in flour well before cooking. Keep the floured chicken covered in the fridge, and it will be ready to sear quickly when you start dinner. This step is a fantastic time-saver, letting you get a jump start on your weeknight meal.
You can also slice all your mushrooms and chop the onion a day ahead of time. Store them in separate containers so their flavors do not mix while chilling in the refrigerator. This advance preparation ensures that once your skillet is hot, the entire cooking process moves along quickly and smoothly for you.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Leftovers of Homemade Chicken Stroganoff store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The sauce may thicken considerably as it chills, but you can easily adjust this when reheating. You should always store the Stroganoff separate from the noodles or rice.
To reheat, transfer the stroganoff to a saucepan and gently warm it over low heat, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a splash of chicken broth or even a tablespoon of water to bring the sauce back to its original creamy consistency. Ensure you do not boil the sauce during reheating.
Conclusion
Homemade Chicken Stroganoff is the perfect quick fix for a delicious, satisfying, and comforting weeknight dinner. You now have the skills to create a rich, creamy mushroom sauce that clings beautifully to tender pieces of chicken. This recipe is simple, fast, and delivers massive flavor every single time you make it.
You should not hesitate to make this classic recipe part of your regular dinner rotation because of how easy it is to prepare. The combination of savory mushrooms, tender chicken, and tangy sour cream will become a family favorite you will always enjoy making. I recommend adding this recipe to the Dinners category for future reference.
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Chicken Stroganoff
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Description
There you have it, friends – a chicken stroganoff recipe that’s equal parts cozy and crave-worthy. With its luscious mushroom-studded sauce, tender chicken morsels, and bright pops of mustard and Worcestershire, it’s downright impossible not to go back for seconds. So do yourself a favor and put this comforting classic on your dinner menu soon. Your soul (and your taste buds) will thank you!
Ingredients
Chicken & Searing
-
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- All-purpose flour, for dredging
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon butter
Sauce Base
- 8 ounces cremini baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2/3 cup chicken broth
- 1–2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, to taste
- 1–2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, to taste
- 1/2 cup full-fat sour cream
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces and season with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Dredge in flour, shaking off excess.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken in two batches until browned and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and butter to the skillet. Add the mushrooms and onions. Sauté for 6-8 minutes until browned and any liquid has evaporated.
- Stir in the Dijon, Worcestershire, and garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits. Return the chicken to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the sour cream until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately over egg noodles, mashed potatoes or rice.
Notes
Tips for a Perfect Stroganoff:
For maximum flavor, brown the chicken, mushrooms and onions well.
Add a pat of butter with the sour cream for extra richness.
Stir in spinach or peas for added nutrition and color.
Garnish with crispy fried shallots for a fun crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 389
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 511mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 133mg
Keywords: Chicken Stroganoff, Creamy Chicken, Mushroom Sauce, Dinner