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Easy Pinot Noir Chicken with Mushrooms

Rich with wine flavor and filled with meaty mushrooms, Easy Pinot Noir Chicken is a meal that feels impressive — but is quick and easy to make.

Pinot Noir Chicken

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HolidayPairings #CollectiveBias The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older.

Once upon a time, I used to spend my free time writing — short stories, novels, poems, there’s a cache of writing saved on hard drives. Most have barely seen the light of day. But for a little while, I used to post my writing to a website for writers where members would read and critique each other’s work. It was fun and kept me motivated to write more and more.

It was on that site that I posted a version of a novel that I have been working on since middle school.

Yes, really.

I bet there are many writers with stories like that — the one piece of work that you revise, and revise, and revise, but never quite finish. My novel has gone through dozens of drafts with the storyline updated, expanded and fleshed out. And by the time I posted it there, I thought it was ready for publication. It wasn’t and it’s still not, so it still sits waiting for that someday when it is. If that ever comes.

But in the meantime, I want to tell you about one scene in the novel. The protagonist of the story sits down to dinner with her parents and they get on the subject of what special meal she wants for a celebratory dinner. Her response? Coq au vin, which is chicken with wine sauce. I don’t know what drove me to write that in, but it felt like such a fancy response at the time. And coq au vin can be fancy. It’s usually a dish cooked low and slow, allowing it time for the flavors to develop and come together. And the results? Pretty awesome.

Pinot Noir Chicken Recipe

But a delicious chicken with wine sauce can be created in less time. In fact, if you have about 35 minutes, you can whip up my version — Easy Pinot Noir Chicken with Mushrooms. It’s big on flavor and packed with mushrooms and onions.

You start by sauteing chicken in a little olive oil. Then the chicken comes out of the pan, and you sweat onions and mushrooms with a little salt, pepper and butter. Add the chicken back, add chicken stock, cornstarch and wine and cook until the sauce gets a little thicker.

I like it served over pasta. But it’s also great with mashed potatoes.

Estancia Wine

The secret to this sauce is the wine that gives it bold, rich flavor. I made this using Estancia Wine Pinot Noir, a warm, small-scale wine made in California, which I found in the wine section at my local Walmart. The brand says it’s “terroir focused,” but to me it’s just a tasty wine with a nice bite.

Pour yourself a glass to have with the dish too, if you like.

Where to Find

If you are serving this over pasta, consider trying Barilla‘s new Barilla Pronto pasta (also available at Walmart!) that’s ready in minutes. The one-pan pasta is so easy — just add the pasta and liquid to a pan and cook according to package directions. No need for pre-boiling the water or even draining. And it comes in five tasty shapes — Spaghetti, Penne, Rotini, Elbows, Linguine.

I also like to serve this with a little salad. Because you always need salad.

Serving Suggestions for Pinot Noir Chicken

The great thing about this dish is that it’s easy — but it feels fancy. And if you want your dinner to feel even fancier, serve it with an easy hor d’oeuvre like a cheese plate with crackers. Choose a few cheeses — perhaps a sharp asiago, a creamy semi-soft cheese and something bold — and serve it with a selection of crackers. Pepperidge Farm‘s Cracker Trio is a good option for this.

And end the meal with something sweet — like cookies. Pepperidge Farm’s cookie collection is always a favorite around here. They remind me of childhood and holiday dinners and family.

Want to learn more about good pairings? Visit the Simple Entertaining Hub to find out about tasting and pairing events at Walmart stores near you.

Easy Pinot Noir Chicken with Mushrooms

Easy Pinot Noir Chicken with Mushrooms

Yield: 4 servings
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb thin cut chicken breasts
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 yellow onion, , small diced
  • 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 cup Estancia pinot noir

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook, turning once, until lightly golden on both sides, about 3-5 minutes per side. Remove chicken to a plate.
  2. Add the butter to the pan and melt. Add the onions and mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper. Stir, cover and cook until the onions begin to get translucent, about 5 minutes. Uncover and allow liquid in the pan to evaporate. Add the chicken back to the pan.
  3. Stir together the chicken stock and cornstarch. Pour over the chicken and add the pinot noir as well. Stir well. Cover and bring to a boil. Remove the cover and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, until slightly thickened.
  4. Serve over pasta.

Kim Beaulieu

Tuesday 1st of December 2015

My brother is a mushroom fanatic and I know he'll go crazy when I send him this recipe. It's delightful. And Pepperidge Farm Cookies and Crackers rock my world.

Kaitie

Thursday 19th of November 2015

This looks absolutely amassing! I love that you served over penne… what a wonderful dinner especially for a weeknight!

Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom

Thursday 19th of November 2015

What a great, quick and fancy dinner!

Trish - Mom On Timeout

Wednesday 18th of November 2015

Love easy dinners like this one! Looks amazing!

Kate

Wednesday 18th of November 2015

I have a million starts of stories/novels, but I never finish any of them.

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