Looking for the perfect romantic Valentine’s Day dinner? This Roast Chicken & Mushrooms with Red Wine Sauce is elegant, comforting, and surprisingly simple to prepare. With golden, crispy skin, tender, juicy meat, and a rich, flavorful sauce, it’s the kind of dish that says “I love you” without needing hours in the kitchen. Perfect for cooking together or impressing your special someone with a gourmet home-cooked meal.

Ingredients

For the Chicken & Mushrooms:

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or breasts, if preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 2 tsp fresh)
  • 8 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

For the Red Wine Sauce:

  • ½ cup red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot recommended)
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
  • Salt & pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and thyme.
  3. Heat olive oil and butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down for 4–5 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook 2–3 more minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Add mushrooms, onion, and garlic to the same skillet. Sauté 5–6 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized.
  5. Return chicken to the skillet, placing it on top of the mushrooms. Transfer skillet to the oven and roast 20–25 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  6. Make the red wine sauce: Remove chicken and mushrooms from the skillet, cover to keep warm. Place the skillet back on the stovetop over medium heat. Add red wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in chicken stock and Dijon mustard. Simmer 5–7 minutes until slightly reduced. Optional: mix cornstarch with 1 tsp water and stir in for a thicker sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Serve: Plate the chicken with mushrooms and drizzle generously with red wine sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Tips for Success

  • Use bone-in chicken for more flavor and juicier meat.
  • Let the chicken rest 5 minutes after roasting to retain juices.
  • Pair with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad for a complete Valentine’s meal.

Nutrition (per serving, estimated): ~360–410 calories • 24–28g fat • 6–8g saturated fat • 4–6g carbs • 1g fiber • 1–2g sugar • 32–36g protein • ~420–520mg sodium

Conclusion

This Roast Chicken & Mushrooms with Red Wine Sauce is a show-stopping dish that brings restaurant-quality flavor to your home kitchen. Perfectly balanced with earthy mushrooms and a rich, silky wine sauce, it’s a recipe that will impress your Valentine and make the evening unforgettable. Whether it’s your first Valentine’s Day together or a long-standing tradition, this dish is the ultimate expression of love through food.

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