Mushroom Chicken

This is one of my quick meals that I saute together in about 30 minutes. It works best to cut up your veggies before you begin to brown your chicken breasts. Start a pot of water to boil some spaghetti noodles the same time you begin your chicken. Even though it has a bit of heavy cream, I think it is still a healthy choice especially if you use whole wheat noodles like we do. The sauce is just enough to coat and flavour the noodles. Use a large pan but if possible it should not be non stick. The meat browns better without one.

Mushroom Chicken

• 4 - 6 chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 6 cups sliced mushrooms
• 1 large onion .. diced
• 1 bell pepper thinly sliced
• 2 handfuls fresh spinach. . washed and left to drain
• 2 cloves garlic minced (or 1 head of roasted garlic . ..which we actually prefer)
• 1 can or small carton chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• a splash of white wine (optional)
• 1/2 cup fresh chopped basil or 2 tablespoons freeze dried basil
• 1/2 cup parmigiana cheese

1. Heat a large fry pan over medium high heat. .. and add the oil.
2. Pat dry the chicken breasts, season them with salt and pepper and add them to the pan. Don't crowd the pan or the chicken will not brown . .they'll just poach. Look at my pan . .don't add more than that.
3. When the chicken begins to release from the pan ..it is ready to flip. Cook an additional 5 minutes or until the other side is browned and then remove and put in a 325 oven to keep warm and to finish the cooking.
4. Add 1 more tablespoon of oil if necessary and then add the onion and mushrooms and garlic. Scrape up the bits of brown and saute until the mushrooms have released their liquid and they are beginning to brown.  This part is important not to rush.  The mushrooms are best when soft. 
5. Add the bell pepper and  and continue to saute until the pepper has just wilted.
6. Add the heavy cream and the wine and the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
7. Add the chicken back into the pan and add the basil and simmer a few minutes.
8. Add the spinach and the parmigiana cheese.
9. As soon as the spinach wilts serve over hot noodles. . .we prefer spaghetti.