There is a special kind of contentment that comes from sitting down to a truly satisfying meal, especially one that feels both nourishing and a little bit indulgent. For me, this Chicken and Mashed Potatoes Recipe is the very definition of that feeling. It’s more than just a simple dinner; it’s a plate of pure, unadulterated comfort. The chicken is tender and juicy, bathed in a luscious, creamy pan sauce, served alongside a mound of the fluffiest, butteriest mashed potatoes you can imagine. It’s the sort of meal that makes a Tuesday night feel like a treat.

The inspiration for this specific pan sauce came from a wonderful Sunday lunch I had at a cosy little pub in the Cotswolds. It was one of those grey, drizzly days, and the dish they served was so heartwarming it completely changed the mood. I spent the car ride home deconstructing the flavours, determined to recreate that magic in my own kitchen. After a bit of tinkering, this is the version I landed on—a recipe that always gets compliments and has become a firm favourite in our house.

This is a dinner recipe for those evenings when you want something substantial and genuinely delicious, without spending hours in the kitchen. It works beautifully for a family meal, a relaxed dinner with friends, or simply when you need a dish that soothes the soul. The process of building the sauce in the same pan used to cook the chicken creates a depth of flavour that you just can’t get from a packet or a jar. It’s proper home cooking, and it’s absolutely worth it.

Recipe Overview

This recipe guides you through creating succulent, pan-seared chicken breasts and a rich, thyme-infused cream sauce, all served with impeccably smooth mashed potatoes. The flavour is deeply savoury and herby, with the creamy sauce and mash balancing everything beautifully. After testing this multiple times, I found that the non-negotiable step is making the sauce in the same pan you’ve cooked the chicken in. Those little caramelised bits on the bottom are flavour gold, and they transform the sauce from good to great.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Servings: 4 people
• Difficulty: Medium

Why You’ll Love This Chicken And Mashed Potatoes Recipe

• Genuine Flavour: We build layers of flavour from the ground up. The gorgeous browning on the chicken (part of the Maillard reaction) creates a foundation for a pan sauce that is rich, savoury, and deeply satisfying.
• Ready in Under an Hour: From peeling the first potato to spooning that final bit of sauce over the chicken, you can have this entire meal on the table in about 50 minutes.
• Flexible Recipe: You can easily adapt this to your taste. Swap the thyme for fresh rosemary, add a handful of sliced mushrooms to the sauce with the onions, or use chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless) instead of breasts for an even juicier result.
• Great for a Cosy Night In: This dish is ideal when you want to put something truly special on the table without a huge amount of fuss. It feels elevated enough for a weekend, yet is manageable for a weeknight.
• Family Tested: This recipe is a huge hit with my family. My son always makes sure there are no mashed potatoes left, and my husband insists that a little extra sauce is always a good idea. It’s a meal that brings everyone to the table.

Chicken And Mashed Potatoes Recipe

⏱️ 15 min prep  •  🍳 35 min cook  •  👥 4 servings

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For this chicken recipe, we’re using simple, high-quality ingredients that work together harmoniously. When it comes to the chicken stock, I recommend using a good quality liquid stock or a rich bouillon powder like Marigold, as it forms the backbone of your sauce’s flavour.

• For the Mashed Potatoes:
• 1 kg Maris Piper or King Edward potatoes, peeled and cut into even chunks
• 100g unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 150ml whole milk, warmed
• 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
• 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
• A fresh grating of nutmeg
• For the Chicken and Sauce:
• 4 medium skinless, boneless chicken breasts (around 180g each)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 25g unsalted butter
• 1 small onion, very finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried)
• 60ml dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
• 250ml good quality chicken stock
• 100ml double cream
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Kira’s Tip: Always use room temperature butter and warm milk for your mashed potatoes. Cold liquids can make the mash gluey and prevent the butter from incorporating properly, resulting in a lumpy texture. Warming them first ensures a silky-smooth finish every time.

How to Make Chicken And Mashed Potatoes Recipe

The process is straightforward. We’ll get the potatoes on first, as they take the longest. While they bubble away, we can focus on searing the chicken to perfection and creating that irresistible pan sauce. Everything should come together at roughly the same time.

1. Cook the Potatoes: Place the peeled and chunked potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with cold, salted water. Bring to the boil and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are completely tender when pierced with a knife.
2. Prepare the Chicken: While the potatoes are cooking, pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
3. Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan or skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan (cook in two batches if necessary). Cook for 6-8 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through (the internal temperature should be 74°C). Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate to rest.
4. Mash the Potatoes: Once tender, drain the potatoes thoroughly and return them to the hot, dry pan for a minute to steam off any excess moisture. I used to struggle with watery mash until I discovered this technique. Mash them until smooth, then add the room temperature butter, warm milk, salt, white pepper, and nutmeg. Beat with a wooden spoon until light and fluffy. Cover and keep warm.
5. Start the Sauce: Reduce the heat under the chicken pan to medium. Add the 25g of butter and the finely chopped onion. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring often and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the onion is soft and translucent.
6. Build the Flavours: Add the minced garlic and thyme leaves and cook for another minute until fragrant. Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, continuing to scrape the bottom. Let the wine bubble and reduce by about half, which should take 2-3 minutes.
7. Create the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Let it bubble gently for about 5 minutes to reduce slightly and intensify in flavour. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the double cream.
8. Finish and Serve: Return the rested chicken breasts (and any juices from the plate) to the pan with the sauce. Let them warm through gently for a minute or two. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to your taste. Serve the chicken immediately with a generous helping of the creamy mashed potatoes, spooning plenty of the sauce over everything. Garnish with fresh parsley if you like.

Tips From My Kitchen

• Temperature Control: For a perfect sear on your chicken, make sure the pan is properly hot before the chicken goes in. You should hear a distinct sizzle. This creates a beautiful crust that locks in the juices.
• The Secret Step: Don’t wash the pan after cooking the chicken! Those brown, slightly stuck-on bits at the bottom are called ‘fond’, and they are packed with concentrated flavour. I learned that deglazing the pan with wine or stock is the key to unlocking that flavour and making your sauce taste professionally made.
• Make-Ahead: You can prepare the mashed potatoes up to two hours ahead. Keep them in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, or reheat gently in the microwave with an extra splash of milk. The onions and garlic can also be chopped in advance.
• Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the chicken and sauce gently in a pan over a low heat. The mash reheats well in the microwave.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Large, heavy-based frying pan or skillet
• Large saucepan for potatoes
• Potato masher or ricer
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcrowding the pan: If you squeeze too much chicken into the pan at once, the temperature will drop and the chicken will steam in its own juices instead of searing. This prevents the development of that lovely golden crust. If your pan isn’t large enough, cook the chicken in two batches.
• Wrong temperature for the cream: Never add cold cream to a rapidly boiling sauce, as it can split or curdle. Always lower the heat to a gentle simmer before stirring in the double cream to ensure a smooth, stable sauce.
• Skipping the rest time: It’s tempting to slice into the chicken right away, but letting it rest for at least 5 minutes is crucial. This allows the juices to settle and redistribute throughout the meat, guaranteeing a moist and tender result.

Delicious Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, feel free to get creative. This dish is a wonderful canvas for other flavours, just like my versatile Meatloaf With Stove Top Stuffing Recipe.

• Mushroom and Tarragon: Add 200g of sliced chestnut mushrooms to the pan with the onions and swap the thyme for fresh tarragon for a classic, earthy flavour profile.
• Lemony Chicken: Add the zest of half a lemon to the sauce along with the cream, and a squeeze of juice at the very end to brighten everything up.
• Different Protein: This sauce and mash combination works wonderfully with pan-fried pork medallions. For a seafood twist, you could try it with a firm fish fillet, similar to my Grilled Salmon With Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe.

What to Serve With Chicken And Mashed Potatoes Recipe

While the chicken and mash are a complete meal in themselves, a little green on the side provides a lovely freshness and contrast. If you’re looking for other potato ideas, these Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes Side are always a hit.

• Steamed Green Vegetables: Tenderstem broccoli, green beans, or asparagus, steamed or boiled until tender-crisp and tossed in a little butter, are the perfect accompaniment.
• A Simple Salad: A handful of rocket or mixed leaves with a sharp lemon vinaigrette helps cut through the richness of the creamy sauce.
• Wine Pairing: A lightly oaked Chardonnay has the body to stand up to the cream sauce, while a crisp Sauvignon Blanc will provide a refreshing contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicken And Mashed Potatoes

A classic comfort food dish featuring tender, pan-seared chicken breasts served with a creamy white wine and thyme sauce over fluffy, buttery mashed potatoes.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 895

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Mashed Potatoes

• 1 kg Maris Piper or King Edward potatoes peeled and cut into even chunks
• 100 g unsalted butter at room temperature
• 150 ml whole milk warmed
• 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
• 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
• A fresh grating of nutmeg

For the Chicken and Sauce

• 4 medium skinless boneless chicken breasts (around 180g each)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 25 g unsalted butter
• 1 small onion very finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 tsp dried
• 60 ml dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
• 250 ml good quality chicken stock
• 100 ml double cream
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish, optional)

Method

 

1. Cook the Potatoes: Place the peeled and chunked potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with cold, salted water. Bring to the boil and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are completely tender when pierced with a knife.
2. Prepare the Chicken: While the potatoes are cooking, pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
3. Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan or skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan (cook in two batches if necessary). Cook for 6-8 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through (the internal temperature should be 74°C). Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate to rest.
4. Mash the Potatoes: Once tender, drain the potatoes thoroughly and return them to the hot, dry pan for a minute to steam off any excess moisture. I used to struggle with watery mash until I discovered this technique. Mash them until smooth, then add the room temperature butter, warm milk, salt, white pepper, and nutmeg. Beat with a wooden spoon until light and fluffy. Cover and keep warm.
5. Start the Sauce: Reduce the heat under the chicken pan to medium. Add the 25g of butter and the finely chopped onion. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring often and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the onion is soft and translucent.
6. Build the Flavours: Add the minced garlic and thyme leaves and cook for another minute until fragrant. Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, continuing to scrape the bottom. Let the wine bubble and reduce by about half, which should take 2-3 minutes.
7. Create the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Let it bubble gently for about 5 minutes to reduce slightly and intensify in flavour. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the double cream.
8. Finish and Serve: Return the rested chicken breasts (and any juices from the plate) to the pan with the sauce. Let them warm through gently for a minute or two. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to your taste. Serve the chicken immediately with a generous helping of the creamy mashed potatoes, spooning plenty of the sauce over everything. Garnish with fresh parsley if you like.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

I really hope this Chicken and Mashed Potatoes Recipe becomes a treasured meal in your home, just as it is in mine. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients, cooked with a little care, can create something truly special. I’d love to hear how you get on with it, so please feel free to leave a comment below and share your experience!

Happy cooking,

Kira