There’s something incredibly comforting about a sauce that’s rich, tangy, and just a little bit sweet — which is why I’m excited to share this Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe with you. It’s a simple dish that turns plain chicken breasts into a decadent meal that feels special any night of the week.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, once I made this Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe, it quickly became one of my go-to dinners. The combination of mustard’s tang and cream’s lushness is irresistible! It feels fancy but is so straightforward to pull together, which I love.
- Simplicity meets flavor: Just a handful of ingredients create a sauce that tastes like you put in way more effort than you did.
- Perfect weeknight meal: Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe fits right into busy schedules without sacrificing taste.
- Velvety sauce magic: The creamy Dijon mustard sauce clings beautifully to the chicken, making each bite dreamy.
- Easy to customize: You can tweak the herbs, add a splash of wine, or swap out mustard varieties to suit your taste.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe plays a role. From tender chicken breasts to the aromatics and seasonings that build the sauce’s flavor, here’s the scoop on why these come together so wonderfully—and a few tips on choosing the best options.
- Chicken breasts: I always use boneless, skinless breasts for even cooking and easy sauce coverage.
- Olive oil: Dividing this keeps the pan hot for a nice sear without burning the garlic later.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds that punch of flavor that elevates the sauce — never skip or substitute garlic powder here.
- Chicken broth: Low-sodium is key so you can control the salt in your sauce.
- Heavy cream: This gives the sauce its signature silky texture—full-fat is best for richness.
- Dijon mustard: Grey Poupon or a mild Dijon is my personal fave, not too harsh but with great tang.
- Fresh thyme and dried sage: Thyme adds freshness while sage lends a subtle earthiness—together, they balance the creaminess perfectly.
- Honey: Just a touch smooths out sharp notes and enhances the overall flavor harmony.
- Fresh parsley (optional): Sprinkled on top, parsley brightens the plate and adds a pop of color.
Make It Your Way
I love how flexible this recipe is. Over the years, I’ve played around with different herbs and even swapped in a little white wine instead of broth for an extra depth of flavor. You can really make this dish your own by tweaking small things!
- Variation: Adding sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions turns the sauce into an even more luxurious topping—that’s one of my favorite touches when guests come over.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Chicken for Even Cooking
Start by pounding the chicken breasts to an even ½-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. This is a game-changer because it helps the chicken cook evenly—no dry edges and juicy middle. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken Nicely
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add your chicken breasts carefully and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side — resist the urge to move them around too much! You’re looking for a golden-browned crust. Use an instant-read thermometer if you have one; you'll want 165°F in the thickest spot. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
Step 3: Build the Flavorful Sauce
Lower the heat to medium-low and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Toss in the minced garlic and sauté quickly—around 10 seconds—until fragrant and just starting to brown. Pour in the chicken broth along with fresh thyme and dried sage, letting it simmer until the liquid reduces by half. This usually takes about a minute and intensifies those flavors beautifully.
Step 4: Stir in Cream and Dijon Mustard
Now it’s time to add the heavy cream and Dijon mustard. Stir the sauce often as it simmers for about another minute until it thickens slightly. Finish by mixing in honey, and give the sauce a quick taste—adjust salt and pepper to your liking.
Step 5: Serve with Love
Plate your chicken and spoon over that glossy sauce, then sprinkle with fresh parsley for a fresh, vibrant touch. Trust me, the first bite will make you want to invite everyone over for this one!
Top Tip
After making this recipe a handful of times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really make the Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe shine and help avoid common pitfalls.
- Don’t skip pounding the chicken: Uneven thickness leads to uneven cooking—and no one likes chewy thin edges or undercooked centers.
- Watch the garlic closely: It burns easily and then turns bitter, so sauté just until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Use good quality dijon mustard: It makes a huge difference for a balanced tang without harshness. Grey Poupon is my favorite.
- Let the sauce reduce properly: This step is where you build flavor intensity and the perfect creamy texture, so patience pays off here!
How to Serve Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
I like to finish this dish with a sprinkle of minced fresh parsley. It brightens the plate visually and adds a fresh, herbal note that cuts through the richness nicely. Sometimes I’ll also add a little lemon zest if I want an extra pop of brightness on special occasions.
Side Dishes
This chicken goes beautifully with buttery mashed potatoes or creamy risotto to soak up that luscious sauce. For a lighter touch, roasted seasonal veggies or a crisp green salad with vinaigrette balances the creaminess perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties, I like to serve the chicken sliced on a platter with dollops of sauce scattered over and around. A few sprigs of thyme and a sprinkle of cracked black pepper make it look inviting and fresh. It’s fancy without being fussy, which always makes guests feel special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover chicken and sauce together in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Before reheating, I usually let it come to room temperature briefly so the sauce reheats evenly without separating.
Freezing
This recipe freezes pretty well! I put the chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container and pour a little extra cream over the top to help keep it moist. It stays good for up to 2 months. When thawed overnight in the fridge, the texture and taste remain delicious.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of chicken broth or cream to refresh the sauce. Stir often and be patient to avoid curdling or drying out the chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can, but I recommend boneless skinless breasts for even cooking and easier sauce absorption. If you use bone-in, you’ll need to increase the cooking time and check doneness carefully to avoid undercooked meat.
A good substitute is half-and-half mixed with a small amount of butter to add richness, or coconut cream for a dairy-free option. Keep in mind this may affect the sauce’s consistency and flavor slightly.
Absolutely! This recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free chicken broth and Dijon mustard brands without additives containing gluten. It’s a great option for gluten sensitivities.
Yes! You can make the sauce a day ahead and store it covered in the fridge. Reheat gently and pour over freshly cooked chicken when ready to serve for a quick meal.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe has been one of those dishes I turn to over and over again when I want a reliably comforting, flavorful meal that doesn’t take all day. I hope you give it a try and find it just as satisfying as I do—it’s a simple recipe that feels like a hug on a plate. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll probably sneak its way into your regular dinner rotation like it did in mine!
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Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: French-inspired
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
A delicious and creamy Dijon mustard chicken recipe featuring tender boneless skinless chicken breasts cooked in a flavorful sauce made with garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, fresh thyme, and a touch of honey. Perfect for an elegant yet easy dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 (6 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoon olive oil, divided
Sauce
- 2 teaspoon minced garlic (2 cloves)
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 ½ teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried sage
- 1 teaspoon honey
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, minced, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Using a meat mallet, flatten the chicken breasts evenly to about ½-inch thickness to ensure they cook uniformly.
- Cook the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. Add chicken to the hot oil and cook for 6 minutes per side until cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Transfer the chicken to a plate, cover with foil, and keep warm.
- Prepare the sauce base: Return the pan to medium-low heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and minced garlic. Sauté for about 10 seconds until the garlic just starts to deepen in color and becomes fragrant.
- Deglaze and reduce: Pour in the chicken broth, add the chopped fresh thyme and dried sage. Let the liquid reduce by half, simmering for about 1 minute to concentrate the flavors.
- Finish the sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and Dijon mustard. Simmer while stirring frequently until the sauce thickens slightly, about 1 minute. Stir in the honey and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Place the cooked chicken breasts back into the pan or serve individually topped with the creamy Dijon mustard sauce. Garnish with minced fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute 2 tablespoon minced shallot for the garlic; sauté the shallots for about 1 minute instead of 10 seconds.
- For a deeper flavor, replace the ½ cup chicken broth with ½ cup dry white wine plus ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth. If using wine, simmer the mixture about 3 to 4 minutes until reduced by half and the alcohol scent dissipates.
- Using a meat thermometer ensures perfectly cooked chicken without drying out.
- Grey Poupon Dijon mustard is recommended as it provides a balanced flavor without harshness, but you can adjust the mustard quantity to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
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