Ina Garten Chicken With Morels Recipe

This Ina Garten Chicken With Morels Recipe is a rich and elegant dish, which includes dried morel mushrooms and heavy cream. It’s a restaurant-quality dish, ready in about 50 minutes.

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Ina Garten Chicken With Morels Ingredients

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts
• 1 ounce dried morel mushrooms
• 1 cup boiling water
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup finely chopped shallots
• 1/2 cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc)
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

How To Make Ina Garten Chicken With Morels

1. Rehydrate the morels: Place dried morel mushrooms in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Let soak for 20–30 minutes until softened.
2. Drain and rinse: Remove mushrooms and rinse to remove any grit. Strain soaking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve and reserve.
3. Season and sear chicken: Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down for 4–5 minutes until golden. Flip and cook 4–5 minutes more. Remove and set aside.
4. Sauté shallots and morels: In the same skillet, sauté shallots for 2–3 minutes. Add morels and cook another 2 minutes.
5. Deglaze and build sauce: Pour in white wine and reserved mushroom liquid, scraping browned bits from the pan. Stir in chicken stock and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer.
6. Thicken sauce: Mix flour with 2 tablespoons water to make a slurry. Stir into sauce and simmer for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
7. Return chicken and simmer: Add chicken back to the skillet, skin-side up. Spoon sauce over the top, cover, and cook over low heat for 20–25 minutes until fully cooked and tender.
8. Add fresh herbs: Stir in chopped parsley and thyme just before serving.
9. Serve: Plate over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles and garnish with extra parsley.

Recipe Tips

• Can I use fresh morels? Yes, use about 4 ounces fresh morels and skip the soaking step.
• What can I substitute for morels? Try cremini or shiitake mushrooms for a similar earthy flavor.
• How to tell when chicken is done: Use a thermometer; internal temp should reach 165°F (75°C).
• Can I make this ahead? Yes, refrigerate after step 7 and reheat gently before serving.
• What wine pairs best? Serve with Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay for a balanced pairing.

What To Serve With Chicken and Morels

This rich chicken dish pairs best with creamy or starchy sides:

• Mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash
• Buttery egg noodles
• Garlic rice or risotto
• Roasted asparagus or green beans
• Crusty French bread

How To Store Chicken With Morels

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Not recommended due to the cream sauce, which may separate when reheated.

Chicken With Morels Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 520kcal
• Carbohydrates: 9g
• Protein: 42g
• Fat: 35g
• Saturated Fat: 17g
• Cholesterol: 160mg
• Sodium: 410mg
• Potassium: 680mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 3g
• Calcium: 90mg
• Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I use boneless chicken breasts?
Yes, but reduce the final cook time to 10–15 minutes as they cook faster.

Can I use a different cream?
You can substitute half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.

Do I need to rinse morels?
Yes, dried morels can contain grit—rinsing is essential after soaking.

Can I make this dish in advance?
Yes, it reheats well. Store covered in the fridge and warm gently on the stove.

What herbs can I substitute for thyme and parsley?
Try tarragon, chives, or rosemary for a slightly different flavor profile.

Try More Recipes:

• Ina Garten Grilled Halibut Recipe
• Ina Garten Stuffed Chicken Breasts Recipe
• Ina Garten Steak Fajitas Recipe