Description
Savory Dijon chicken emerges as a culinary masterpiece blending French-inspired flavors with home-style comfort. Creamy mustard sauce and tender chicken create a delightful meal sure to satisfy discerning palates.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
- 2 tbsps Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp whole grain mustard (optional, for texture)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional, for depth)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Chicken Preparation: Meticulously pat chicken dry with paper towels, then lavishly coat with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to elevate its inherent flavors.
- Searing Stage: Ignite a skillet with olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Introduce seasoned chicken, creating a caramelized exterior by cooking each side for 5-6 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F/75°C. Transfer the perfectly cooked chicken to a holding plate.
- Sauce Foundation: Utilize the same skillet to quickly toast minced garlic. Deglaze with chicken broth, scraping accumulated flavor fragments. Incorporate Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and thyme. Allow the mixture to harmonize and concentrate its essence through a brief simmer.
- Sauce Refinement: Lower heat and introduce heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, transforming the sauce into a silky, glossy consistency that promises rich depth and luxurious texture.
- Final Integration: Reunite the golden chicken with the creamy mustard sauce, allowing 2-3 minutes of gentle warming to marry flavors completely. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve alongside mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables for a comprehensive culinary experience.
Notes
- Maximize Chicken Moisture: Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden-brown sear and lock in natural juices, preventing steaming instead of browning.
- Prevent Sauce Separation: Lower heat when adding cream and continuously whisk to maintain smooth, creamy consistency without curdling or breaking the delicate sauce.
- Temperature Control Matters: Use medium-high heat for initial chicken searing and reduce to medium-low when creating sauce to develop deep flavors without burning delicate ingredients.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for dairy-free version or use Greek yogurt for lighter option while maintaining rich, creamy texture of the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg