Name: Cheesecake Factory Chicken Riesling Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless, skin-on optional); 3/4 bottle (500 ml) dry Riesling wine; 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced; 2 medium onions, sliced; 250 grams mushrooms, sliced; 125 grams pancetta, sliced into thin strips; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream; Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

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Introduction

The Cheesecake Factory Chicken Riesling is a deliciously rich and elegant dish featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in dry Riesling wine, complemented by savory pancetta, mushrooms, and onions. This restaurant-quality meal strikes the perfect balance between creamy and acidic flavors while being surprisingly simple to make at home.

The image shows a white plate with a dish of cooked chicken breast covered in a creamy sauce with sliced mushrooms and sprinkled with chopped green herbs. Crispy pieces of reddish-brown bacon are scattered on top of the chicken. Beside the chicken, there is a small mound of light yellow pasta noodles neatly twirled into a tall pile, topped with finely shredded cheese and a small green herb for garnish. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

8 chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless, skin-on optional)
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
3/4 bottle (500 ml) dry Riesling wine
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
125 grams pancetta, sliced into thin strips
2 medium onions, sliced
250 grams mushrooms, sliced
1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 2: In a large skillet, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and pancetta, sautéing for 2–3 minutes until the garlic is golden and the pancetta begins to crisp.
Step 3: Stir in the sliced onions and mushrooms. Cook for 5–7 minutes until softened and lightly browned.
Step 4: Place the chicken thighs in the skillet and pour in the dry Riesling wine. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, turning the chicken once halfway through.
Step 5: Add the heavy cream and stir to combine. Let the sauce simmer for another 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
Step 6: Transfer the contents of the skillet to a baking dish. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the tops are golden.
Step 7: Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.

Tips & Variations

Use a dry Riesling rather than a sweet one to balance the richness with acidity.
Pancetta can be substituted with smoked bacon for a slightly different smoky flavor.
For a leaner version, replace chicken thighs with chicken breasts, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
Prepare the dish up to the baking step a day in advance, then bake just before serving to save time.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat or in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through, to preserve the cream sauce’s texture.

How to Serve

A white plate holds a dish with two main parts: on one side, a neat mound of pale yellow pasta strands shaped like a small nest topped with shredded cheese and a small green parsley leaf; on the other side, a golden brown cooked chicken breast covered in creamy mushroom sauce with visible slices of light brown mushrooms and finely chopped green herbs, garnished with small, crispy dark red-brown bacon pieces scattered on top and around the sauce; the whole dish is set against a white marbled background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, chicken breasts can be used for a leaner option. However, they cook faster and can dry out, so watch cooking times carefully and avoid overbaking.

What if I don’t have Riesling wine?

If dry Riesling is unavailable, you can substitute with another dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. Avoid sweet wines to keep the dish balanced.