Description
French Mustard Chicken is a creamy, flavorful one-skillet dinner featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a luscious Dijon and whole grain mustard sauce with fresh thyme. This easy stovetop recipe comes together in under 45 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight meal that’s both comforting and elegant.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Generously season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 5 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same skillet, add the unsalted butter and melt it over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, approximately 4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release the aroma.
- Deglaze with Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet. Reduce the heat to low and let the broth simmer for around 3 minutes to concentrate the flavors.
- Prepare the Mustard Cream Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, and fresh thyme leaves into the skillet. Mix thoroughly and let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken and develop a rich, creamy texture.
- Combine Chicken with Sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, turning them to fully coat with the mustard sauce. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for an additional 5 minutes until heated through, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, sprinkle the dish with chopped fresh parsley for a bright, fresh touch. Serve the creamy mustard chicken alongside your favorite sides for a satisfying and elegant meal.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier result if preferred.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Serve with steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken breasts to keep them tender.
- Fresh thyme can be replaced with dried thyme if necessary; use about 1/3 teaspoon in that case.
