10/25/2026
Slow Cooker Creamy Mushroom Chicken
Ingredients
· 1 ½ to 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
· 1 tsp salt
· ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
· 1 tsp smoked paprika
· 2 tbsp unsalted butter
· 1 lb cremini or white button mushrooms, sliced
· 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
· 4 cloves garlic, minced
· 1 tsp dried thyme
· ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
· 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
· 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
· ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
· ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
· 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
· Optional: 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water (for thickening)
Instructions
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season both sides evenly with the salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
(Optional but recommended) Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer the chicken to the bowl of a slow cooker.
In the same skillet, add the sliced mushrooms and diced onion. Sauté for 4–5 minutes, until the mushrooms release their moisture and begin to brown. Add the minced garlic and dried thyme, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth and Dijon mustard, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the condensed cream of mushroom soup until smooth. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or on HIGH for 2 ½–3 hours, until the chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and set it aside on a serving platter.
Reduce the slow cooker to the WARM setting (or turn it off). Stir in the heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. (If the sauce is too thin, stir in the cornstarch slurry and let it sit for 10–15 minutes to thicken).
Return the chicken to the slow cooker to coat in the sauce, or spoon the creamy mushroom sauce generously over the plated chicken. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Servings: 4–6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
💡 Pro Tips:
· Add dairy at the end: Never add heavy cream at the beginning of the slow cooking process. The prolonged heat will cause the dairy to curdle and separate. Always stir it in at the very end.
· Don't skip the sear: Taking a few minutes to sear the chicken and sauté the mushrooms before slow cooking builds a deep, caramelized flavor that you simply can't get by dumping raw ingredients into the pot.
· The Dijon secret: A tablespoon of Dijon mustard doesn't make the dish taste like mustard; instead, it adds a subtle tang and depth that cuts through the richness of the cream and cheese.
· Freshly grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly. Grating a block of fresh Parmesan ensures a silky, lump-free sauce.
· Serving suggestions: This creamy sauce is incredible served over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or steamed white rice to soak up every drop.