This blog post has been sponsored by the Vidalia Onion Committee. Links featured within, not inclusive of the official Vidalia Onion Committee website or previously sponsored content, are not sanctioned by the Vidalia Onion Committee.
The Vidalia Onion Committee is sponsoring this year’s Kentucky Derby, so while it is known for its traditional mint juleps and 5-star cuisine, it will feature Vidalia onion recipes across Churchill Downs on May 1. Even though I won’t be able to attend the Kentucky Derby in person, I have good news. We got the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs at home!
Start a new tradition with your family or roommates this season: celebrate the Kentucky Derby at home and cook official Vidalia onion dishes together. Visit the Kentucky Derby’s Party Central page to access official Vidalia onion recipes curated by Churchill Downs’ Executive Head Chef to make at home.
One recipe that really stood out to me was the Chicken with Vidalia Onion and Mushroom Sauce recipe. I loved this recipe because the ingredients are easy to find, and items I cook with on a regular basis. Everything I needed to prepare it, I had already (at least a variation of it) or were on my normal weekly grocery list. I added a few variations to make it my own, and of course, you can do the same!
I love Vidalia onions because they are so flavorful and sweet! Vidalia onions are hand planted and harvested in only 20 counties in South Georgia and are only available from April to August each year. They are not your average onion for sure. Since many of us are doing so much more home-cooking, this spring be sure to grab America’s favorite sweet onion to elevate the way you cook at home.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. avocado oil
- 4 – 6 to 8 oz. chicken, breasts
- 1 medium Vidalia onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 12-15 Cremini (baby bella) mushrooms
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken stock
- 5 cloves garlic, diced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- salt and pepper, to taste
- Umomi seasoning blend, to taste (optional)
Instructions
- In a heavy skillet, heat avocado oil on medium until oil starts to shimmer.
- Season chicken breast with salt, pepper, and Umomi seasoning, add to skillet and sauté until they start to brown, about 4-5 minutes. Turn over and brown other side. Chicken does not need to cooked through.
- Remove chicken from pan and place to the side.
- Add Vidalia onion to pan, sauté until onions begin to caramelize.
- Add mushrooms to pan and continue cooking until they are slightly browned.
- Add garlic and thyme, making sure all ingredients are mixed well.
- Add chicken stock and add chicken back to pan.
- Continue to cook, uncovered, until sauce has reduced and become thickened and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Remove from stove and let the chicken rest 5-10 minutes.
- Plate chicken and coat with Vidalia onion and mushroom sauce, and serve.
I served this dish with a side of sautéed Brussel sprouts for a complete meal. It was so yummy and I can’t wait to add this into the meal rotation. Vidalia onions definitely added a special sweetness to this recipe, and many more Kentucky Derby-inspired recipes. Let Vidalia onions help you add sweetness to life’s special moments through celebratory events like the Kentucky Derby, creating a delicious meal for your family and friends, or simply treating yourself as a form of self-care.
