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Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs

Written By: Byron | November 21, 2025

Garlic mushroom chicken thighs | An easy one-pan mediterranean chicken recipe that’s ideal for busy weeknight dinners. 

A rich, aromatic one-pan chicken recipe that’s low-carb and features golden chicken thighs simmered with mushrooms, garlic, herbs, and a velvety pan sauce. Perfect for an easy Mediterranean-inspired weeknight dinner. 

This recipe is super easy to make and takes around 35 minutes from start to finish and serves 4 as a main. We suggest serving it alongside a green garden salad and your favorite grains for a healthy balanced meal.

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Serving:

Main for 4

Ready in:

35 minutes

Skill level:

Easy

Serve with:

Veg, steamed rice

A pan of garlic mushroom chicken thighs with fresh thyme garnish

How to Make Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs

Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Chicken

For the Sauce

  • 250 g mushrooms, sliced (button, cremini, or mixed)
  • 1 small onion, finely sliced
  • 4–5 garlic cloves, minced
  • Fresh thyme sprigs (or Dried Thyme)
  • 1/3 cup pitted Olives or capers (optional but very Mediterranean)

     

Equipment

A pan of garlic mushroom chicken thighs with fresh thyme garnish

Instructions

Step 1 – Season the Chicken

  • Pat chicken thighs dry. Season generously with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.

Step 2 – Brown the Chicken Thighs

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the chicken thighs and cook for 5-6 minutes per side or until browned slightly.
    Once the chicken is browned, remove from the pan and set aside.

Step 3 – Sauté Mushrooms & Aromatics

  • In the same pan, add the sliced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes.
  • Add the mushrooms and season with some salt and pepper. Cook until they release moisture and begin browning (5–6 minutes).
  • Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Add herbs (thyme, oregano, and parsley if using) and stir through

Step 4 – Simmer

  • Return the chicken thighs to the pan, nestling them into the mushroom mixture.
  • Cover and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Step 5 – Finish & Serve

  • Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Sprinkle with fresh thyme and serve warm.

    Cooking Tips

    • Sear the chicken until deep golden for maximum flavour.
    • Use a mix of mushrooms (cremini, button, and shiitake) for depth.
    • White wine adds brightness—choose a dry variety like Verdejo or Sauvignon Blanc.
    • Don’t overcrowd the mushrooms; browning = flavour.
    • Add a knob of butter at the end for a glossy, richer sauce.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Over rice, quinoa, or couscous
    • With mashed potatoes or roasted baby potatoes
    • Alongside crusty bread to mop up the sauce
    • Add spinach or artichokes for extra Mediterranean flavor

      More Delicious Mediterranean Chicken Recipes

      Looking for more delicious Mediterranean chicken recipes? 

      Try my Spanish Garlic Chicken (Pollo al Ajillo) for another quick and flavorful one-pan option.

      If you love easy skillet meals, you’ll also enjoy this comforting One-Pan Mediterranean Chicken and Rice — a reader favourite.

      For more chicken inspiration with minimal prep, check out my Spanish Chicken Drumsticks – 5 Min Prep.

      If you prefer something creamy and hearty, my Creamy Shrimp Soup with Spinach and Chickpeas is a delicious one-pot Mediterranean-style soup ready in 30 minutes.

      Seafood lovers should not miss the warming Spanish Salmon Stew — perfect for cool evenings and packed with flavour.

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        Nutritional Information

        Discover more about the nutrition and health benefits offered by Extra Virgin Olive Oil in our informative articles: 

        The Beauty of Spanish Cooking

        Spanish cooking is the perfect blend of simplicity and bold flavor, making it an ideal choice for no-fuss recipes that never compromise on taste. 

        Rooted in fresh, seasonal ingredients and time-honored traditions, Spanish cuisine transforms everyday staples like potatoes, peppers, and olive oil into vibrant, comforting meals. With the addition of smoky spices, aromatic herbs, and signature ingredients like chorizo, even the most straightforward dishes feel rich and indulgent.

        What makes Spanish recipes especially appealing for busy home cooks is their natural balance of ease and flavor. Many classic dishes are one-pan wonders, designed to let the oven or skillet do the work while the ingredients slowly meld together into something extraordinary. 

        Spanish cooking is about celebrating quality ingredients, minimal preparation, and maximum payoff—a cooking style that turns weeknight dinners into hearty, satisfying experiences without the stress.

        A shot of a kitchen with a cooker, hob, chopping board, and some spices

        Nutrition Facts

        (Based on 4 servings)

        Nutrient

        Amount

        % DV

        Calories

        398 kcal

        20%

        Total Fat

        25 g

        32%

        Saturated Fat

        6 g

        30%

        Carbohydrates

        7 g

        3%

        Fiber

        1 g

        4%

        Sugars

        3 g

        Protein

        34 g

        68%

        Cholesterol

        155 mg

        52%

        Sodium

        520 mg

        23%

        Potassium

        540 mg

        11%

        Vitamin A

        6%

        Vitamin C

        7%

        Calcium

        3%

        Iron

        10%

        A pan of garlic mushroom chicken thighs with fresh thyme garnish
        A pan of garlic mushroom chicken thighs with fresh thyme garnish

        Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs | Easy One-Pan Mediterranean Chicken Recipe

        Byron
        Make these Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs for a juicy, flavour-packed dinner in under 35 minutes! This easy one-pan Mediterranean chicken recipe features golden-seared chicken thighs simmered in a rich garlic and mushroom sauce. It’s simple, comforting, and perfect for weeknights — no complicated steps, just big flavour.
        Prep Time 10 minutes
        Cook Time 25 minutes
        Total Time 35 minutes
        Course dinner, Main Course, weeknight
        Cuisine American, Mediterranean, Spain
        Servings 4 Main
        Calories 398 kcal

        Equipment

        • Stainless Steel Pan
        • Wooden cutting board
        • Chef knife
        • Cooking Tongs
        • Garlic crusher

        Ingredients

        For the Chicken

        • 6 chicken thighs bone-in or boneless
        • 1 tsp Sweet smoked paprika
        • 1 tsp Onion Powder
        • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
        • 1 tsp dried thyme
        • Salt & black pepper to taste
        • Extra Virgin Olive Oil

        For the Sauce

        • 250 g mushrooms sliced (button, cremini, or mixed)
        • 1 small onion finely sliced
        • 4 –5 garlic cloves minced
        • Fresh thyme sprigs or Dried Thyme
        • 1/3 cup pitted Olives or capers optional but very Mediterranean

        Instructions
         

        Step 1 - Season the Chicken

        • Pat chicken thighs dry. Season generously with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
          6 chicken thighs, 1 tsp Sweet smoked paprika, 1 tsp Onion Powder, 1 tsp Garlic Powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, Salt & black pepper

        Step 2 - Brown the Chicken Thighs

        • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
          Extra Virgin Olive Oil
        • Add the chicken thighs and cook for 5-6 minutes per side or until browned slightly.
        • Once the chicken is browned, remove from the pan and set aside.

        Step 3 - Sauté Mushrooms & Aromatics

        • In the same pan, add the sliced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes.
          1 small onion
        • Add the mushrooms and season with some salt and pepper. Cook until they release moisture and begin browning (5–6 minutes).
          250 g mushrooms
        • Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
          4 –5 garlic cloves
        • Add herbs (thyme, oregano, and parsley if using) and stir through
          Fresh thyme sprigs

        Step 4 - Simmer

        • Return the chicken thighs to the pan, nestling them into the mushroom mixture.
        • Cover and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

        Step 5 - Finish & Serve

        • Taste and adjust seasoning.
        • Sprinkle with fresh thyme and serve warm. Optionally, add some chopped olives as garnish
          1/3 cup pitted Olives or capers

        Video

        Notes

        Cooking Tips

        • Sear the chicken until deep golden for maximum flavour.
        • Use a mix of mushrooms (cremini, button, and shiitake) for depth.
        • White wine adds brightness—choose a dry variety like Verdejo or Sauvignon Blanc.
        • Don’t overcrowd the mushrooms; browning = flavour.
        • Add a knob of butter at the end for a glossy, richer sauce.
         

        Serving Suggestions

        • Over rice, quinoa, or couscous
        • With mashed potatoes or roasted baby potatoes
        • Alongside crusty bread to mop up the sauce
        • Add spinach or artichokes for extra Mediterranean flavor
        Keyword 30 minute recipe, chicken dinner, Chicken thighs, dinner, Easy Dinner ideas, easy weeknight dinners, garlic, garlic mushrooms, Mushrooms, one pan, one pan chicken, thyme

        FAQs

        What kind of mushrooms work best?

        Cremini or button mushrooms work well, but a mix adds extra flavour and texture.

        Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

        Yes, but thighs stay juicier. If using breasts, reduce the cooking time.

        Can this recipe be made dairy-free?

        It is naturally dairy-free. Avoid adding optional butter at the end.

        Can I make this recipe creamy?

        Yes! Stir in 2–3 tablespoons of cream or crème fraîche at the end.

        Does this freeze well?

        Yes, it freezes well for up to 3 months. Reheat gently to avoid drying out the chicken.

        A pan of garlic mushroom chicken thighs with fresh thyme garnish

        Love this recipe?

        Leave us a comment and tell us your favorite Spanish recipe! 

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