2011: Barb's Chicken Breasts with Mushrooms and Cream

6 Tb. (3/4 stick) butter
2 whole chicken breasts (about 2 pounds) skinned, boned and halved
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tb. finely minced shallots
1 small garlic clove, finely minced
3 cups cleaned thinly sliced mushrooms, no stems
2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
white pepper to taste
3/4 cup dry white wine
3/4 cup chicken stock
1 cup heavy cream

1.  In a saute pan or heavy skillet over med-high heat, melt 4 Tbsp. of the butter.  Add the chicken breasts, sprinkle with salt and pepper and saute for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, or until lightly browned. Remove to a dish ad set aside.

2.  Reduce heat to mediuim and melt the remaining 2 Tbs. butter in the same pan.  Add the shallots and garlic; cook until tender but not browned,.Add the mushrooms, lemon juice, and white pepper.  Continue cooking until the mushroom liquid has almost completely evaporated.  

3.  Add the wine and chicken stock and continue cooking until the liquid has almost evaporated.  Reduce the heat to medum-low, stir in the cream and cook uncovered or until the sauce begins to thicken.

4.  Return the chicken breasts to the sauce to heat through.  Place on a serving platter and spoon on the mushroom cream sauce. 

Variation: 
CHICKEN BREASTS WITH MUSHROOMS AND COGNAC

Eliminate the lemon juice.  In step 3, substitute 1/2 cup warmed Cognac for the wine and increase the stock to 1 cup. Garnish with sprigs of fresh parsley.

I like to serve over rice.

Recipe provided by Barb Milosevich