Baked chicken legs with cream of mushroom sauce is a comforting and flavorful dish. Here’s a simple recipe to guide you through making this dish:
Ingredients:
For the chicken legs:
- 4-6 chicken leg quarters
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for brushing
For the cream of mushroom sauce:
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk (you can use whole milk, half-and-half, or a milk substitute)
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or any herbs of your choice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Chicken: Rinse the chicken legs and pat them dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Sear the Chicken (Optional): You can choose to sear the chicken legs in a hot skillet with a bit of olive oil for a few minutes on each side until they’re golden brown. This step adds extra flavor, but you can skip it if you prefer.
- Make the Mushroom Sauce: In a saucepan, melt the butter or heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent. Add the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms, and cook until the mushrooms are softened.
- Add Soup and Milk: Stir in the condensed cream of mushroom soup and milk. Add the dried thyme or herbs of your choice. Stir well until everything is combined. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it’s heated through and slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble and Bake: Place the seared or unseared chicken legs in a baking dish. Pour the cream of mushroom sauce over the chicken, ensuring that each piece is coated.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil or a lid and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven. Serve the chicken legs with the creamy mushroom sauce spooned over the top. You can serve it with rice, mashed potatoes, or your choice of side dishes.
This dish is perfect for a comforting family dinner and combines the flavors of tender baked chicken with a rich and creamy mushroom sauce. Enjoy!
