Monday, February 25, 2013

Fabulous Chicken -- Quick!

Everyone has busy days when dinner is more of an afterthought than anything else. I'd been looking around for a quick chicken recipe with mushrooms, but everything seemed heavy or involved cream or sour cream or a tomato sauce. And then I found exactly what I had in mind.

When I was away at school, my mom always made Julia Child's chicken supreme for my first night home. It was my absolute favorite. But Julia also made chicken breasts in the oven. I've done it many times. So easy, you start it on the stove top, then shove it in the oven to finish it.

Tyler Florence used that technique exactly the way I wanted. Easy, light, no heavy creams, no tomato sauce. I tried his recipe with five chicken breasts and a ton of mushrooms. Oh dear. Mushroom overload. Delicious chicken, cooked to perfection, moist and juicy. But too many mushrooms.

So this weekend, on a very long, busy day, I made it again, sticking closer to Tyler Florence's measurements. Naturally, I changed a few things to suit me. He used shallots, I used garlic. He used fresh sprigs of rosemary. I substituted sage. He used white mushrooms, I used Cremini. Clearly you can play with the ingredients to suit your taste. It's so good that it might start being my go-to recipe for guests on busy days.

Why so busy? If you read our 2013 bucket lists, you might remember that I was looking for a dog. This weekend I adopted Baron, aka Bear. Darling, sweet, energetic, wriggling -- the dog who never sleeps! Pictures to come, provided I can get him to sit still long enough.

Mushroom Chicken

(based on recipes by Julia Child and Tyler Florence)

2 tablespoons olive oil
salt & pepper (I used Pensey's Lemon Pepper)
1 joined chicken breast (really 2) or two small separated chicken breasts, skinless
5 Cremini mushrooms
2 cloves garlic
3 pinches sage
1/4 cup water
1/2 lemon

Preheat oven to 350. Pour olive oil in an oven safe pan and heat on the stove top just below medium heat. Salt and pepper the chicken generously. Saute it in the olive oil on each side until the top and bottom have turned white.


Cut the mushrooms in half. Crush, but don't mince the garlic. Add the mushrooms, garlic and sage to the pan. Cover and place in oven for 15 minutes.


HANG POTHOLDER ON OVEN DOOR so you won't forget that the pan handle will be hot.


Remove from oven and place chicken, mushrooms and garlic on a plate. Add the water and lemon juice from 1/2 lemon to the juices in the pan. Cook about 5 minutes, until reduced. Pour over chicken and serve.


Not the best picture since his eyes are closed. But look who is sneaking up to his tail!

16 comments:

  1. Cannot wait to see this puppy Krista! And the chicken sounds just right for a busy night...

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    1. Lucy, it's really delicious. And I just put up a picture. He's a big puppy -- 10 months old.

      ~Krista

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  2. Deliciously easy (and healthy) dinner idea, Krista, thank you! And that's such wonderful news on your furry new family member. I'm with Lucy -- I hope you'll post a photo of little Baron (aka Bear) soon, if he stays still long enough, lol.

    ~ Cleo

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    1. Alas, he's not little now. But maybe that means he'll outgrow the chewing phase soon!

      I think you'll love this recipe when you're swamped! So flavorful!

      ~Krista

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  3. I love this recipe, Krista - just printed it out to make asap. I also remember the Julia Child fondly.

    Congrats on the puppy! How wonderful - I am now v. jealous.

    MJ/VA

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    1. It's always fun to have an new baby in the house. And he's been so good -- so far! Such energy!

      ~Krista

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  4. This chicken is going on my menu this week! LOVE the idea of hanging the pot holder on the oven door...ah, been there, done that, not comfortable!
    Congrats on the new puppy! Fun times ahead.

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    1. Peg, can I tell you how many times I've reached into the oven for a pan without an oven mitt? Honestly! I really do hang a potholder on the door so I won't forget. Especially when I'm doing a lot of things at once, or paying more attention to a puppy.

      ~Krista

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  5. Thanks for the recipe! It fits the bill this week! Perfect for Wednesday I think. New puppies are almost as much work as a baby ;) Congratulations

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    1. Fortunately, he's a big puppy, so he's a little less work. I think he may have caught on that he's supposed to go outside to do his business. Hope so!

      Helena Georgette, I think you'll love this recipe. The flavor is amazing.

      ~Krista

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  6. Love the picture!

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  7. Oh so cute, and such a brave kitty! Yoda does that sometimes when Tonka is sleeping--comes up and sniffs all around him. What IS this big thing?? LOL

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    1. Isn't it darling when they do that? She spent most of yesterday looking like a Halloween kitty. Today she's getting more brave.

      ~Krista

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  8. Krista, he is darling! I love the markings. What a treasure. We called our sweet Max "bear" dog because in the winter when we didn't trim his coat, he looked like a black bear. So lovable. Enjoy!

    Daryl aka Avery

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    1. Thanks, Daryl. He's a little sweetheart!

      ~Krista

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