Cracker Barrel Mushroom Chicken Recipe

This Cracker Barrel Mushroom Chicken recipe is a savory and smothered dish, which features crispy fried chicken breasts braised in a rich mushroom gravy. It’s comfort food at its finest, ready in about 45 minutes.

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Cracker Barrel Mushroom Chicken Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for frying)
• 1 tbsp butter

For the Mushroom Gravy

• 8 oz fresh mushrooms (baby bella or button), sliced
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups beef broth (or chicken broth for a lighter color)
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• Salt and plenty of black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (garnish)

How To Make Cracker Barrel Mushroom Chicken

1. Prep the chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about ½ inch. This ensures they cook evenly and quickly.
2. Dredge: In a shallow dish, whisk together the 1 cup flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Press each chicken breast into the flour mixture, coating both sides thoroughly. Shake off any excess flour.
3. Fry the chicken: Heat the vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts (in batches if needed) and cook for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside. (It doesn’t need to be 100% cooked through as it will braise later).
4. Sauté mushrooms: In the same skillet (don’t wipe it out), add the 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the sliced mushrooms and diced onion. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until the mushrooms are browned and the onions are soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
5. Make the roux: Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of flour over the mushroom mixture. Stir constantly for 1–2 minutes to cook the flour and coat the vegetables.
6. Build the gravy: Slowly pour in the beef broth while whisking or stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Add the dried thyme. Bring the mixture to a simmer. It will thicken as it heats. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Braise: Return the fried chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the gravy. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer gently for 10–15 minutes. This finishes cooking the chicken and softens the crust into a delicious “smothered” texture.
8. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately, spooning extra gravy over the top.

Recipe Tips

• Broth choice: Using beef broth gives the gravy a deep, rich brown color and savory flavor similar to the restaurant. If you prefer a lighter, more poultry-forward taste, use chicken broth.
• Mushroom variety: Baby Bella (cremini) mushrooms have a deeper flavor and hold their shape better than white button mushrooms, making them ideal for this rustic gravy.
• The “Smother”: The beauty of this dish is that the crispy flour coating absorbs the gravy, becoming soft and flavorful (like chicken fried steak). If you want the chicken to stay crispy, serve the gravy on the side instead of braising it.
• Thickening: If the gravy becomes too thick while simmering, simply splash in a little water or extra broth to reach your desired consistency.

What To Serve With Cracker Barrel Mushroom Chicken

This hearty main needs sides that can handle the gravy.

• Mashed Potatoes: The gravy doubles as a potato topping.
• Rice Pilaf: Soaks up the sauce nicely.
• Green Beans: A classic vegetable side.
• Buttermilk Biscuits: Perfect for cleaning the plate.

How To Store Cracker Barrel Mushroom Chicken

• Refrigerate: Store the chicken and gravy together in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a little water if the gravy has gelled.
• Freeze: You can freeze this dish for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Cracker Barrel Mushroom Chicken Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 420kcal
• Protein: 36g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fat: 22g
• Saturates: 8g
• Sugar: 2g
• Salt: 1.1g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving (1 breast with gravy).

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