Description
Succulent Dijon chicken elevates weeknight dinners with its tangy, creamy sauce and simple, elegant preparation. Crispy golden chicken breasts bathed in a rich mustard cream will become your new go-to comfort meal that impresses without complicated techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 large bay leaf
- 5 sprigs fresh thyme
Liquids and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) white wine
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients and preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring all components are ready for cooking.
- Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper thoroughly, creating a flavor foundation.
- Heat olive oil and butter in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until butter melts and pan is hot.
- Place chicken thighs skin-side down, searing for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Flip chicken, brush with Dijon mustard, and cook opposite side for another 3-4 minutes to develop deep flavor.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside temporarily.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium, add sliced onions and remaining Dijon mustard, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until onions soften and become translucent.
- Deglaze skillet with white wine, scraping accumulated browned bits from bottom to enhance sauce complexity.
- Increase heat to medium-high, allowing wine to simmer and reduce for approximately 3 minutes.
- Incorporate chicken broth, heavy cream, bay leaf, and thyme into the skillet, creating a rich, aromatic sauce.
- Return chicken thighs to skillet, positioning skin-side up, and cover with lid.
- Transfer skillet to preheated oven, baking for 15-20 minutes until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from oven, let rest briefly, then serve hot with creamy sauce generously spooned over chicken.
Notes
- Ensure chicken skin is thoroughly dry before searing to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and flavor.
- Opt for bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum juiciness and richer taste compared to boneless alternatives.
- Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt for a lighter, dairy-free version that maintains the creamy texture and tang.
- Use fresh herbs like tarragon or rosemary instead of thyme to create subtle flavor variations while keeping the dish’s signature Dijon profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg