French Mustard Chicken Recipe
If you love the idea of a comforting dinner that’s both elegant and packed with flavor, French Mustard Chicken will instantly win your heart. This classic dish features juicy, golden-brown chicken thighs gently simmered in a creamy, tangy mustard sauce infused with fresh herbs, shallots, and a splash of white wine. It’s the ultimate cozy-meets-fancy meal that comes together in under an hour, promising every bite is a flavor-packed trip to a French bistro—no passport required!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The best thing about French Mustard Chicken is just how simple the ingredient list is—yet every component plays a starring role. High-quality basics like chicken, cream, and mustard are blended with just the right accents to create a sauce that’s out-of-this-world delicious.
- Chicken Thighs: Bone-in, skin-on thighs offer the juiciest meat and crispest skin for the best texture and flavor.
- Olive Oil: Adds depth and helps the chicken skin sear to golden perfection.
- Unsalted Butter: Gives the sauce a luxurious finish and a slight nuttiness when browned with the chicken.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic infuses every bite with its irresistible aroma.
- Shallot: Finely chopped for a sweet, subtle onion flavor that melts right into the sauce.
- Dry White Wine: A splash lifts the flavors and adds a classic French acidity; pick one you’d happily drink!
- Chicken Broth: Enhances the savory notes, keeping the sauce rich but not heavy.
- Heavy Cream: Crucial for creating that ultra-silky, restaurant-worthy sauce.
- Dijon Mustard: The backbone of the dish, providing the tang and complexity French Mustard Chicken is famous for.
- Whole Grain Mustard: Adds gorgeous texture and pops of flavor in every bite.
- Fresh Thyme Leaves: Delivers an earthy herbal note that balances the richness.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Trust your instincts—season generously for maximum taste.
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped and added at the end for a burst of color and brightness.
How to Make French Mustard Chicken
Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken
Start by generously seasoning the chicken thighs with salt and black pepper. Heat up the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high until the butter is foaming but not browned. Carefully lay the chicken thighs skin-side down and let them cook undisturbed for 6 to 7 minutes. This step is all about getting that unbeatable golden, crispy skin. Flip the thighs and continue cooking for another 5 to 6 minutes until beautifully browned on both sides. Transfer the chicken to a plate, but leave all those flavorful brown bits in the pan.
Step 2: Build the Flavor Base
With the same skillet (don’t wipe it out!), toss in the minced garlic and chopped shallot. Sauté for just 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly so nothing scorches. The goal is to turn everything wonderfully fragrant and slightly softened, forming the building blocks of that incredible sauce.
Step 3: Deglaze and Craft the Sauce
Pour in the dry white wine, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to lift up all those caramelized bits. Let the wine bubble away for about a minute. Stir in the chicken broth, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, and fresh thyme leaves. Whisk well so the mustards completely blend into the sauce. Bring the mixture up to a gentle simmer; you’ll see the color transform into a beautiful golden creaminess.
Step 4: Simmer and Finish Cooking
Return the seared chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let everything simmer gently for 20 to 25 minutes. During this time, the chicken will finish cooking through, and the sauce will thicken into something rich, glossy, and absolutely mouthwatering. Once done, double-check the chicken for doneness, then spoon sauce over the top and finish with a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley.
How to Serve French Mustard Chicken
Garnishes
A flurry of chopped fresh parsley is the finishing touch for French Mustard Chicken, bringing a pop of color and fresh flavor that lifts the whole dish. For an extra-special touch, you might sprinkle over some extra fresh thyme or even a pinch of flaky sea salt just before serving.
Side Dishes
You can’t go wrong pairing this saucy main with a classic—think ultra-creamy mashed potatoes that soak up every drop, fluffy white rice, or slices of warm, crusty baguette. Any of these sides will make sure not a lick of that incredible mustard sauce goes to waste!
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving French Mustard Chicken family-style in a beautiful skillet, allowing everyone to spoon sauce directly onto their plates. For a modern twist, you can shred the chicken and pile it onto toasted sourdough, then drizzle with the mustard sauce for a casual, bistro-inspired open-faced sandwich. It’s also stunning served atop a bed of wilted greens for a lighter touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have extra French Mustard Chicken, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors actually deepen—it’s one of those rare dishes that’s even better the next day!
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze this dish. Simply cool it completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers. It will keep for up to two months. Allow the chicken and sauce to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
Reheating
For the most luscious results, gently reheat French Mustard Chicken on the stovetop over low heat, stirring now and then and adding a splash of broth or cream if the sauce looks too thick. You can also microwave individual portions, but a slow stovetop reheat is ideal for keeping the sauce silky.
FAQs
Can I use boneless chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, boneless chicken breasts work beautifully in French Mustard Chicken. Simply reduce the simmering time since breasts cook faster—about 15 to 18 minutes should do the trick. Be careful not to overcook so they stay juicy.
What kind of white wine should I use?
Go for a dry white wine that you would enjoy drinking—think Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay. The choice of wine adds depth and acidity to the sauce, so avoid anything too sweet.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Absolutely. Swap the heavy cream for a plant-based alternative like coconut cream or cashew cream. Just note this will slightly alter the flavor, but the mustard and wine will still shine.
Is French Mustard Chicken gluten-free?
Yes, as long as your chicken broth and mustards are certified gluten-free (they usually are), this dish is naturally gluten-free. Always double-check your ingredient labels if gluten is a concern.
Can I add vegetables to the sauce?
Definitely! Sliced mushrooms, baby spinach, or even peas would be lovely stirred into the sauce during the last 10 minutes of simmering. They soak up the flavors wonderfully and add extra color and nutrition.
Final Thoughts
If you’re yearning for a meal that feels gourmet but is totally doable on a weeknight, French Mustard Chicken is it. Each bite is a love letter to classic French comfort cooking. Give it a try—you’ll want to make it again and again!
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French Mustard Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A delectable French Mustard Chicken recipe that features tender chicken thighs cooked in a creamy Dijon and whole grain mustard sauce. This dish is bursting with flavor and perfect for a cozy dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Seasoning:
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season chicken thighs with salt and black pepper.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet. Sear chicken until golden brown on both sides. Remove and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: In the same skillet, sauté garlic and shallot. Deglaze with white wine, then add broth, cream, mustards, and thyme.
- Cook the chicken: Return chicken to skillet. Cover and simmer until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens.
- Finish and serve: Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.
- You can use boneless chicken breasts, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
