Creamy Walnut Chicken with Garlic and Mushrooms
Elevate your dinner table with this delectable dish featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in a luscious creamy mustard sauce, complemented by earthy garlic and rich walnuts. This recipe is inspired by various mustard sauces I’ve experimented with, resulting in a harmonious blend of flavors. The addition of mushrooms adds a savory depth to each bite, while the walnuts provide a delightful crunch that enhances the overall experience. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this recipe is sure to impress and, according to my taste testers, truly shines with an extra handful of walnuts. Give it a try and enjoy the comforting flavors of home-cooked goodness!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 (none)
low sodium chicken broth
1 cup (divided)
finely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup (divided)
minced garlic
4 teaspoons (divided)
basil or other herbs
2 teaspoons (dried or fresh)
salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
pepper
1 teaspoon (to taste)
sliced mushrooms
8 ounces (cleaned and sliced)
butter
1 tablespoon (none)
Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon (none)
light cream
1/2-1 cup (none)
chopped green onions or scallions
1 (for garnish)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup of chicken broth, 1/4 cup of finely chopped walnuts, and 2 teaspoons of minced garlic. Mix well and pour it into an 8x8 or 9x9 baking dish.
2
Place the chicken breasts in the sauce, ensuring they are thoroughly coated. Season both sides generously with basil, salt, and pepper. For optimal flavor, refrigerate the dish for 1 hour to marinate (although you can skip this step if you're short on time).
3
Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 30-45 minutes, or until the juices run clear and the chicken is fully cooked through.
4
While the chicken is baking, heat a skillet over medium heat and combine the remaining 1/4 cup of walnuts and 1/2 cup of chicken broth. Sauté for 3-4 minutes. Add the sliced mushrooms and continue to sauté until they are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
5
In a separate skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of garlic and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the Dijon mustard and blend well, then pour in the light cream, stirring constantly until the sauce begins to thicken.
6
Once the chicken is done baking, remove it from the oven and pour the creamy mustard sauce over the chicken breasts. Top the dish with the sautéed walnut and mushroom mixture, ensuring each chicken breast is well covered.
7
For an optional garnish, sprinkle chopped green onions or scallions over the top before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main flavor profile of the Creamy Walnut Chicken?
The dish features a luscious creamy mustard sauce combined with earthy garlic, savory mushrooms, and rich walnuts for a crunchy texture.
How many chicken breasts are required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
What size baking dish is recommended?
An 8x8 or 9x9 inch baking dish is ideal for this recipe.
Is marinating the chicken mandatory?
No, marinating for 1 hour is recommended for optimal flavor, but you can skip this step if you are short on time.
How long does the chicken need to bake?
Bake the chicken for 30-45 minutes until the juices run clear and it is fully cooked.
What ingredients are used for the initial baking sauce?
The initial sauce consists of 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts, and 2 teaspoons of minced garlic.
How are the mushrooms prepared?
The 8 ounces of mushrooms should be cleaned and sliced before being sautéed.
What kind of mustard is used in the cream sauce?
The recipe specifically uses 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard.
How much garlic is used in total?
A total of 4 teaspoons of minced garlic is used, divided between the baking dish and the sauce skillet.
What type of cream is best for the sauce?
The recipe calls for 1/2 to 1 cup of light cream.
How are the walnuts divided in this recipe?
1/4 cup of walnuts is used in the baking dish, and the other 1/4 cup is sautéed with the mushrooms.
What seasoning is used on the chicken?
The chicken is seasoned with basil (or other herbs), salt, and pepper.
How do you make the mushroom and walnut topping?
Sauté 1/4 cup of walnuts with 1/2 cup chicken broth for 3-4 minutes, then add mushrooms and sauté until tender.
How is the creamy mustard sauce thickened?
The sauce is thickened by stirring light cream constantly into a mixture of melted butter, garlic, and Dijon mustard over medium-low heat.
What is the recommended garnish for this dish?
Chopped green onions or scallions are recommended as an optional garnish.
Can I use low-sodium chicken broth?
Yes, the recipe specifically recommends low-sodium chicken broth.
How much butter is needed?
You will need 1 tablespoon of butter for the sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for special occasions?
Yes, its elegant presentation and complex flavors make it perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
Can I use fresh herbs?
Yes, you can use 2 teaspoons of either dried or fresh basil or other herbs.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients in total.
What provides the crunch in the dish?
The finely chopped walnuts provide a delightful crunch that enhances the overall experience.
When do you add the mustard sauce to the chicken?
Pour the creamy mustard sauce over the chicken breasts immediately after they are removed from the oven.
How long should the mushrooms be sautéed?
The mushrooms should be sautéed for about 5-7 minutes until they are tender.
What is the total amount of chicken broth used?
One cup of chicken broth is used, divided into two half-cup portions.
Is this recipe considered comfort food?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as comfort food due to its rich, creamy sauce and savory ingredients.
What makes this a 'one-pan' meal?
While it requires a baking dish and skilets, it is tagged as a one-pan meal for its easy assembly and cohesive cooking style.
Can I add more walnuts than the recipe suggests?
Yes, the author notes that taste testers suggested the dish truly shines with an extra handful of walnuts.
Does the recipe include nutritional information?
No, specific nutritional data such as calories or protein content is not provided in this record.
What should I do if the sauce doesn't thicken?
Continue stirring the light cream over medium-low heat constantly until it begins to reach your desired consistency.