Chicken with Mushrooms and Cheese over Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup sliced mushrooms (button or cremini)
1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, or a blend)
1 cup chicken broth
½ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste

For the Mashed Potatoes:

2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
½ cup butter
½ cup milk (or more for desired consistency)
Salt and pepper to taste

For the Asparagus:

1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Mashed Potatoes:
In a large pot, boil the cubed potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.
Add butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Mash until smooth and creamy. Keep warm.

Cook the Chicken:
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Make the Mushroom Sauce:
In the same skillet, add the sliced mushrooms and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until mushrooms are tender.
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Add thyme, and simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over the top.

Prepare the Asparagus:
While the chicken is cooking, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Place the asparagus on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast for about 10-12 minutes until tender.

Assemble the Dish:
On a plate, create a bed of buttered mashed potatoes. Top with the chicken and mushroom sauce, allowing the cheese to melt over the chicken.
Add the roasted asparagus on the side.

Serve:
Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and serve immediately.

Presentation Tips

Arrange the chicken attractively on top of the mashed potatoes, allowing the sauce and cheese to ooze down.
Use a shallow depth of field to focus on the chicken and mashed potatoes while slightly blurring the background.
Capture the dish in natural light to enhance the colors and textures for Instagram or Unsplash.