Ingredients
Gathering ingredients for this dish is as enjoyable as a stroll through a European marketplace, a habit I picked up during my culinary adventures across Italy and Spain. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 8 ounces of mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1 cup of chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
If you don’t have chicken thighs handy, feel free to substitute with chicken breasts. And for a little extra kick, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cooking is, after all, about improvisation and personal touch, just like my mother, Elena, always taught me.
Instructions
Creating this dish is a journey in itself, much like perfecting Nonna Rosa’s marinara sauce. Here’s how to bring this casserole to life:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms. Sauté until the mushrooms are tender and the garlic is fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Season with thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then return the chicken to the skillet. Let it cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Transfer the chicken and sauce to a baking dish, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Remember, cooking is an art, not a science. Feel free to adjust the flavors to your liking, just as I often do when cooking with my daughters, who are already budding chefs in their own right.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International