Discover the ultimate Creamy Chicken Stroganoff recipe, your new go-to for a quick, comforting, and incredibly flavorful weeknight dinner. This dish transforms simple ingredients into a rich and savory meal in just 30 minutes. Forget the complicated steps; this recipe is designed for busy home cooks who crave deliciousness without the fuss. It’s a family-friendly classic that feels gourmet but is secretly simple to master.
This recipe delivers tender chunks of chicken bathed in a luscious, tangy mushroom and sour cream sauce. It’s the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out. Perfect for serving over egg noodles, rice, or even mashed potatoes, this dish is as versatile as it is delightful. Get ready to add a true winner to your dinner rotation.
Why This Creamy Chicken Stroganoff Recipe Works
You’ll love this recipe for its simplicity and depth of flavor. We use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a lean yet tender protein base. The magic happens in the sauce—a perfectly balanced blend of savory mushrooms, sharp onions, rich beef broth, and tangy sour cream that creates a velvety texture without being heavy.
- Quick & Easy: This entire meal comes together in one pan in about 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings.
- Pantry Staples: It relies on common ingredients you likely already have, like chicken, onions, mushrooms, and sour cream.
- Rich Flavor: Searing the chicken and sautéing the aromatics builds a deep, savory foundation that makes the sauce truly irresistible.
- Customizable: Easily adapt it to your taste. Add a splash of white wine, a dollop of Dijon mustard, or fresh herbs to make it your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This easy Creamy Chicken Stroganoff uses simple, accessible ingredients to create its signature rich taste. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
- Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces are perfect for this dish.
- Butter & Olive Oil: A combination of both provides a high smoke point for searing and rich flavor.
- Onion & Garlic: These are the essential aromatic foundations for the sauce.
- Cremini Mushrooms: Also known as baby bellas, they offer a deeper, earthier flavor than white mushrooms.
- All-Purpose Flour: This is our thickening agent for the stroganoff sauce.
- Beef Broth: Adds a savory, umami-rich depth that is classic to stroganoff.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A secret weapon for adding complexity and savory notes.
- Sour Cream: The key to the creamy, tangy finish. Make sure it’s full-fat and at room temperature to prevent curdling.
- Fresh Parsley: For a bright, fresh garnish that cuts through the richness.
- Salt & Black Pepper: To season and enhance all the flavors.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create the perfect chicken stroganoff every time. The key is to build layers of flavor from searing the chicken to simmering the sauce.
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper.
- Sear the Chicken: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. It doesn’t need to be cooked through at this point. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for another 5-7 minutes, until they have released their moisture and started to brown. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Create the Sauce Base: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute to toast the flour. Slowly pour in the beef broth, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. Reduce the heat to low.
- Combine and Finish: Return the seared chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Stir to combine. Let it gently simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the skillet from the heat and let it cool for a minute before stirring in the room temperature sour cream and fresh parsley. Do not let the sauce boil after adding the sour cream.
- Serve: Serve your Creamy Chicken Stroganoff immediately over egg noodles, rice, or creamy Gouda mashed potatoes.
Expert Tips for the Best Stroganoff
Making a truly great Creamy Chicken Stroganoff is easy with a few professional tips. These simple tricks will elevate your dish from good to unforgettable.
- Use Room Temperature Sour Cream: This is the most important tip! Adding cold sour cream to a hot liquid can cause it to curdle. Let it sit on the counter for about 20-30 minutes before you start cooking.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: When searing the chicken, cook it in batches if necessary. This ensures the chicken gets a beautiful golden-brown crust, which adds a ton of flavor.
- Slice Mushrooms Evenly: For consistent cooking, try to slice your mushrooms to a similar thickness. This way, they all brown and become tender at the same rate. For another great chicken dish, check out our Butter Chicken Recipe.
- Deglaze for Flavor: After the vegetables are cooked, you can deglaze the pan with a splash of dry white wine or sherry before adding the broth for an extra layer of flavor.
What to Serve with Chicken Stroganoff
This rich and savory dish pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. The goal is to choose something that can soak up the delicious sauce.
- Noodles: The classic pairing is wide egg noodles. Their texture is perfect for holding onto the creamy sauce.
- Rice: Fluffy white rice or brown rice is an excellent gluten-free option.
- Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes, like these delicious Gouda mashed potatoes, are a comforting and hearty base.
- Vegetables: A simple green vegetable like steamed green beans or crispy Air Fryer Broccoli adds a fresh, balancing element to the meal.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Proper storage is key to enjoying your leftovers. Let the stroganoff cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
To reheat, gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat. Avoid the microwave, as it can make the sauce separate. You may need to add a splash of broth to loosen the sauce as it reheats. Note that freezing is not recommended for this recipe, as the sour cream-based sauce can become grainy upon thawing.
FAQs about Creamy Chicken Stroganoff
Yes, you can substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative and use a dairy-free sour cream or full-fat coconut cream. The flavor and texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
While mushrooms are classic in stroganoff, you can omit them if you’re not a fan. The sauce will still be rich and creamy. You could add other vegetables like sautéed zucchini or bell peppers if you wish.
The key is to use full-fat, room temperature sour cream. Remove the skillet from the heat and let it cool for a minute before stirring in the sour cream. Never let the sauce boil after the sour cream has been added.
Absolutely. To make this recipe gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend. Also, ensure your beef broth and Worcestershire sauce are certified gluten-free.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a great lean option that cook quickly. For a richer flavor, you can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
More Delicious Dinner Recipes to Try
If you loved this easy dinner, you’ll be sure to enjoy some of our other favorites! Explore new flavors with our Teriyaki Chicken Bowl or try the comforting Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole.
The Perfect Creamy Chicken Stroganoff
This Creamy Chicken Stroganoff recipe is a testament to how simple ingredients can create an extraordinarily delicious meal. It’s a dish that promises comfort, flavor, and a happy dinner table every time. We hope you love making it as much as we do. If you try it, please leave a comment below and don’t forget to share your creations on Pinterest!
Creamy Chicken Stroganoff Recipe
Creamy Chicken Stroganoff: A 30-Minute Comfort Food Classic
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Season the chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 5-7 minutes, until browned.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly pour in the beef broth, whisking constantly. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken.
- Return the seared chicken to the skillet. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Let it cool for one minute, then stir in the room temperature sour cream and fresh parsley.
- Serve immediately over egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
Tip 2: Don't overcrowd the pan when browning the chicken; this ensures a beautiful, flavorful crust.
Tip 3: For extra flavor, deglaze the pan with a splash of dry white wine or brandy after cooking the mushrooms.
