Mediterranean Creamy Mushroom Chicken and Wild Rice

Mediterranean Creamy Mushroom Chicken & Wild Rice

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Sauce

• 2 tbsp butter or olive oil

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 250 g (9 oz) mushrooms, sliced (button or cremini)

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• ½ tsp dried rosemary (optional)

• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced (optional but very Mediterranean)

• 1 cup chicken broth

• ¾ cup cooking cream or heavy cream

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Salt & pepper to taste

• Juice of ½ lemon

For the Wild Rice

• 1 cup wild rice (or wild rice blend)

• 2½ cups water or chicken broth

• ½ tsp salt

Garnish

• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the Wild Rice

   • Rinse rice well.

   • Add rice, water/broth, and salt to a pot.

   • Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 40–45 minutes until tender.

   • Drain excess liquid if needed. Set aside.

2. Season & Sear Chicken

   • Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano.

   • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

   • Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden.

   • Remove and set aside (it will finish cooking later).

3. Make the Mushroom Sauce

   • In the same skillet, add butter/olive oil.

   • Sauté onion for 2–3 minutes until soft.

   • Add garlic and mushrooms; cook until mushrooms release moisture and turn golden.

   • Stir in thyme, rosemary, and sun-dried tomatoes.

4. Creamy Finish

   • Pour in chicken broth; simmer 2–3 minutes.

   • Add cream and Parmesan, stirring gently.

   • Season with salt & pepper.

5. Combine

   • Return chicken to the skillet.

   • Simmer 8–10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens.

   • Finish with lemon juice.

6. Serve

   • Spoon creamy mushroom chicken over wild rice.

   • Garnish with fresh herbs.

❓ Q & A

Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Yes! Use coconut cream or cashew cream and skip Parmesan.

Q: Can I use brown rice instead of wild rice?
A: Absolutely. Brown rice works well—adjust cooking time accordingly.

Q: Is this freezer-friendly?
A: The chicken and sauce freeze well. Cook fresh rice when serving for best texture.

Q: How can I make it lighter?
A: Use half-and-half or Greek yogurt (stir in at the end, low heat).

Q: Can I add vegetables?
A: Spinach, kale, or zucchini are great additions—add near the end…