Julia Child's Creamy Chicken & Mushroom

Ingredients

• 4 medium-sized chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice (original recipe: 1/2 teaspoon)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 pinch pepper
• 2 tablespoons reduced fat butter (original recipe: 5 tablespoons full fat)
• 1 tablespoon minced green onions
• 8 oz (250 g) sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

For the sauce:

• 1/4 cup chicken stock
• 1/4 cup port wine or dry white vermouth
• 4 oz (125 g) reduced fat cream cheese at room temperature (original recipe: 1 cup whipping cream)
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
• salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons freshly minced parsley
• 1-2 cups broccoli (extra addition), cut into florets and steamed (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Rub the chicken breasts with lemon juice and season lightly with salt and pepper.
2. Heat the butter in a heavy, oven-proof casserole (I used a skillet), about 10 inches in diameter until it is foaming. Stir in the minced shallots or green onion and saute a moment without browning. Then stir in the mushrooms and sauté lightly for a minute or two without browning. Season with salt.
3. Quickly roll the chicken in the butter mixture and lay a piece of buttered wax paper over them. Cover casserole (skillet) and place in hot oven. After 8-10 minutes, flip chicken and cook for another 8 minutes in the oven. Alternatively, brown chicken fillets on each side until golden; then cover and place into a preheated oven to continue cooking for a further 8 minutes until cooked through.
4. Remove the chicken to a warm platter (leave mushrooms in the pot) and cover while making the sauce.
5. To make sauce: Pour the stock and wine in the skillet with the mushrooms. Boil down quickly over high heat until liquid has reduced to half.
6. Add in the cream cheese, breaking it down with your wooden spoon. Cook over low heat until it turns into a thick cream. Gradually add in the evaporated milk, stirring through the cream cheese until thickened.
7. Take off heat and taste for seasoning. Squeeze over a little extra lemon juice to taste. Add in the broccoli (if including it) and pour the sauce over the chicken. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

• Original recipe by Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume 1. Lightened up version by Karina, Cafe Delites.

Link to recipe