Making this dish is all about comfort lusciousness, and it’s easy to do. Chicken pieces on its golden surface that will get simmered for a while with creamy mushroom sauce.
Extremely tender chicken nestled in this creamy mushroom gravy would be excellent to be partnered with mashed potatoes or a cup of rice just for a filling and satisfying meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
One Pan: With browning, simmering, and cooking everything in one pan, cleanup is as simple as can be.
Rich, Creamy Flavor: The turning point of soft cuts is creamy mushroom sauce at the max-indulgence level.
Crowd Pleased Comfort Food: This is a versatile meal which anybody will enjoy be it at home or at a party.
Versatile Sides: It pairs well with various sides offering it lots of scope for shifting from one meal to another.
Key Ingredients
Chicken Drumsticks: Chicken pieces on golden side will be juicy and flavorful and budget-friendly. You may substitute it, bone-in and skin-on thighs, or even chicken breast if that’s what you like best.
Mushrooms: Mushrooms are halved to give a meaty, earthy flavor that would match a creamy sauce. Baby bella or cremini mushrooms are available as good options, but the white button mushrooms work fine on their own.
Heavy Cream: Because it constitutes a bit thickening agent, the heaviness and richness of the sauce are made up by this ingredient. This consistency is as well achieved as cream may be exchanged for half and half or coconut cream for lighter fare.
Chicken Stock: This is pretty much a cornerstone in making the mushroom sauce, as this gives it base. The salt content can be regulated with low-salt content stock, which also can be replaced with beef broth.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Season the Flour:
In a shallow bowl, combine:
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Stir well to evenly distribute the seasoning.
Coat the Chicken:
Pat 6-8 chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. Drying ensures the flour adheres better and promotes even browning.
Dredge each drumstick in the seasoned flour, lightly coating all sides. Shake off any excess flour to prevent clumping.
Heat the Skillet:
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
Brown the Chicken:
Place the flour-coated drumsticks in the skillet, skin side down.
Sear for about 4 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
Flip the drumsticks and cook for an additional 3 minutes to brown the other side.
Remove the drumsticks from the skillet and transfer them to a plate.
Remove Excess Oil:
If the oil in the skillet appears dark or burnt, carefully discard it. Wipe the skillet clean with a paper towel to ensure the sauce retains its fresh flavor.
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Step 2: Prepare the Mushroom Sauce
Sauté the Mushrooms and Garlic:
Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet, if needed.
Add 2 cups halved mushrooms and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they soften, about 3-4 minutes.
Add 2 cloves minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1 minute, until fragrant.
Deglaze the Skillet:
Pour in 1 cup chicken stock, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the skillet. These add depth and flavor to the sauce.
Season the sauce with ¼ teaspoon salt.
Add the Chicken Back to the Skillet:
Return the browned drumsticks to the skillet, nestling them among the mushrooms.
Ensure the drumsticks are partially submerged in the liquid for even cooking.
Simmer:
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and juices run clear when pierced.
Step 3: Finish the Sauce
Remove the Chicken and Reduce the Sauce:
Once cooked, transfer the drumsticks to a serving plate and cover to keep warm.
Increase the skillet heat to medium-high and let the mushroom sauce reduce by about one-third, approximately 4 minutes. This concentrates the flavors.
Add the Cream:
Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in ½ cup heavy cream.
Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Combine and Heat Through:
Return the drumsticks to the skillet, spooning the creamy mushroom sauce over them.
Heat for an additional 2 minutes to meld the flavors together.
Step 4: Serve
Plate and Garnish:
Arrange the drumsticks on serving plates or a platter.
Generously ladle the creamy mushroom sauce over the chicken.
Pair and Enjoy:
Serve hot with sides such as:
Creamy mashed potatoes
Steamed white or brown rice
Crusty bread to soak up the sauce
Serving Suggestions
It pairs well with a number of things on the side to round up the meal:
Mashed Potatoes: The creamy mashed potatoes are perfect for sopping up the rich mushroom gravy.
Steamed Rice: Either white or brown rice can be centered in bare flavors and allow the overture of chicken and sauce.
Bake Vegetables: Golden roast carrots, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts offer a bright and healthy complement.
Crusty Bread: Nothing beats a warm, crusty baguette into which the sauce can be sopped up.
Storage Tips
Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or stock to thin the sauce if necessary.
Freezing: The sauce may slightly break upon thawing since it has cream in it; freeze the chicken and sauce in a container that can be frozen for up to two months. Thaw the next day in the refrigerator before warming.
Make Ahead: Brown and saute the mushrooms for the chicken in advance. These are best stored separately and assembled and simmered right before serving.
Variations
Herbed Mushroom Sauce: Integrate fresh thyme or rosemary in the mushroom sauce for a different flavor.
For the Really Garlic-holic: Double the amount of minced garlic to have an extra burst in flavor.
Wine-Infused Sauce: Pour ½ cup of dry white wine to deglaze the browned residue prior to introducing the chicken stock, which would offer complexity in taste.
Veggie Bits: Add some spinach or peas during the last few minutes of cooking for nutrition and color.
Conclusion
This is one of those recipes for Legs Baked with Cream of Mushroom that all lovers of homely comfort dishes should try. With succulent chicken, smothered in creamy mushroom sauce and myriad alternatives for side dishes, this dish will find a place of honor in your house. In fact, once they take the first bite, they will come back for seconds.
Creamy Mushroom Baked Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt for seasoning flour
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 pounds chicken drumsticks approximately 6-8 pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for searing chicken
- 10 ounces mushrooms halved
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil optional, for sautéing
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1/4 teaspoon salt for seasoning sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Pat chicken drumsticks dry and dredge in the flour mixture. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear drumsticks until golden on all sides (about 7 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil if needed. Cook mushrooms until softened (3-4 minutes). Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken stock, scraping the bottom of the skillet to release browned bits. Season with salt. Nestle the drumsticks back into the skillet, ensuring they're partially submerged in liquid.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.
- Remove the drumsticks and set aside. Increase skillet heat to medium-high to reduce the sauce by about a third (4 minutes). Stir in heavy cream and simmer on medium-low for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
- Return the drumsticks to the skillet, spooning sauce over them. Heat for 2 minutes to meld flavors. Serve hot with your favorite sides.
