Nothing beats a dish that feels both cozy and a little fancy at the same time—that’s exactly what the Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe delivers. With tender chicken bathed in a rich, tangy sauce, it’s the kind of meal that’s just as perfect for a weeknight dinner as it is for impressing guests.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe is one I keep coming back to because it’s simple yet incredibly flavorful. The creaminess of the sauce paired with the zing of Dijon mustard feels indulgent without being complicated—plus, it comes together quickly.
- Fast and easy: From prep to plate in under 30 minutes—perfect for busy evenings.
- Rich, balanced flavors: The Dijon mustard adds just the right amount of tanginess to complement the creamy sauce.
- Versatile: You can dress it up with fresh herbs or swap ingredients based on what you have on hand.
- Great for leftovers: It tastes even better the next day, which means easy lunches too.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of the Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe is really in the ingredients that make up the sauce and how they marry together. Each one balances richness, acidity, and herbaceous notes, giving you a well-rounded dish.
- Chicken breasts: Flattened for even cooking and tenderness, making the chicken juicy every time.
- Olive oil: Helps develop a beautiful sear on the chicken without overpowering the sauce flavors.
- Garlic: Adds a fragrant punch that complements the Dijon mustard perfectly.
- Chicken broth: Forms the savory base of the sauce, providing depth without heaviness.
- Heavy cream: Gives the sauce that luxuriously creamy texture that hugs the chicken.
- Dijon mustard: The star ingredient—provides tanginess and a mild spicy kick that lifts the dish.
- Fresh thyme & dried sage: Earthy herbs that bring warmth and complexity to the sauce.
- Honey: Just a touch to balance the mustard’s acidity and add a hint of sweetness.
- Fresh parsley: Brightens the final plate and adds a fresh herbal note when sprinkled on top.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe depending on the season or what herbs I have fresh. It’s so flexible that you can easily play around with it while still getting that satisfying flavor.
- Variation: On chilly nights, I swap the sage for rosemary and add a splash of white wine instead of all chicken broth—it deepens the sauce beautifully.
- Dietary Modification: To lighten things up, try half-and-half instead of heavy cream and cook chicken in a non-stick pan with less oil.
- Special Occasion: Adding mushrooms or caramelized onions gives it an elegant touch when guests come over.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Flatten and season the chicken
I like to use a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy pan to gently pound the chicken breasts until they’re about ½-inch thick. This ensures they cook evenly and stay juicy. Then, I pat them dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides. This little step makes all the difference when you want a perfect sear.
Step 2: Sear chicken to golden perfection
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. When it’s nice and hot, add the chicken breasts. You’ll want to cook them about 5-6 minutes on each side until they’re golden and cooked through (an instant-read thermometer should hit 165°F). Don’t rush this part—getting that golden crust locks in the juices and adds amazing flavor.
Step 3: Build the flavor-packed sauce
After removing the chicken, wipe the skillet down a bit if needed, then turn heat down to medium-low. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and toss in the minced garlic. It only needs about 10 seconds to get fragrant and just start changing color—don’t let it burn! Pour in the chicken broth, add thyme and sage, and let it simmer until reduced by half, about 1 minute.
Step 4: Finish with cream, mustard, and honey
Now stir in the heavy cream and Dijon mustard, then let it simmer again while stirring frequently. After about a minute, it’ll thicken slightly and become velvety. Adding the honey at the end balances out any sharpness from the mustard. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Step 5: Serve and garnish
Plate the chicken and spoon that creamy mustard sauce over the top. If you’re feeling fancy (or just want a pop of color), sprinkle minced fresh parsley over everything. Instant upgrade!
Top Tip
Making this sauce is all about timing and not rushing those quick reductions. From personal experience, spending an extra 30 seconds letting the broth reduce makes the cream and mustard meld beautifully, giving you that rich, silky sauce without any separation.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Cooking chicken in batches if needed ups the sear quality and keeps the sauce base flavorful.
- Use fresh herbs: Fresh thyme adds brightness that dried herbs can’t quite match—if you have them, use them!
- Watch the garlic: It can go from fragrant to bitter fast, so keep a close eye and stir quickly once added.
- Check the temperature: An instant-read thermometer is your best friend to avoid overcooking—keep that chicken juicy!
How to Serve Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
I almost always finish this dish with a sprinkle of freshly minced parsley. It adds a fresh, herbal contrast to the creamy sauce and gives the plate a pretty pop of green that makes the dish feel light and inviting.
Side Dishes
My favorite pairing is simple roasted vegetables—think green beans or asparagus roasted with olive oil and garlic. Creamy mashed potatoes soak up that sauce beautifully, or you could serve it with buttery egg noodles or even a crusty baguette for sopping up every last bit.
Creative Ways to Present
For special dinners, I sometimes plate the chicken sliced on top of a bed of wild rice pilaf, drizzling the creamy Dijon sauce artistically around. Garnishing with edible flowers or a sprig of thyme adds a wow factor that really impresses without extra fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I like to store leftover chicken and sauce together in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 3 days, and the flavors actually deepen overnight, making lunch feel like a treat.
Freezing
This recipe freezes nicely too. Just cool completely, then transfer into a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge—this makes it a great make-ahead meal for busy weeks.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the chicken and sauce on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Adding a splash of broth or cream can help loosen the sauce if it’s thickened too much in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great and tend to stay even juicier. Just adjust cooking time a bit since thighs can be thicker and need about 6-7 minutes per side.
If you don’t have Dijon, you can use whole grain mustard or a mix of yellow mustard and a pinch of honey. Keep in mind the mustard’s sharpness is key to the sauce’s character, so try to use something with similar tanginess.
Yes! You can substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or cashew cream for a dairy-free alternative. The sauce will be slightly different but still creamy and delicious.
The sauce should be slightly thickened so it coats the back of a spoon nicely but still flows onto the chicken. If it gets too thick, just thin it with a little more chicken broth or cream.
Final Thoughts
The Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe is one of those dishes that brings comfort and a touch of sophistication to the table without hours of effort. I love how easy it is to throw together on a busy night, yet it always feels special enough to share with friends. You’ll enjoy its creamy tang and that perfect balance of flavors every time you make it—give it a try, and this might just become your new go-to chicken recipe too.
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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: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
This creamy Dijon mustard chicken recipe features tender, flattened chicken breasts cooked to perfection in a flavorful sauce made with garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, fresh thyme, dried sage, and a touch of honey. The sauce is rich and slightly tangy, making it a perfect dish for a comforting dinner that's quick to prepare.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 (6 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 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 each chicken breast to about ½-inch thickness to ensure even cooking.
- 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 the chicken to the hot oil and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Sauté garlic and reduce broth: Return the pan to medium-low heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and the minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant and just starting to brown, about 10 seconds. Pour in the chicken broth along with the fresh thyme and dried sage. Let the liquid reduce by half, approximately 1 minute.
- Make the creamy sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and Dijon mustard. Let the sauce simmer, stirring frequently, until it thickens slightly, about 1 minute. Then stir in the honey and season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Plate the chicken breasts and spoon the creamy Dijon mustard sauce over the top. Garnish with minced fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute the 2 teaspoon minced garlic with 2 tablespoon minced shallots, sautéing for about 1 minute instead of 10 seconds.
- For a deeper flavor, replace the ½ cup chicken broth with a mixture of ½ cup dry white wine and ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth. If doing so, simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until the liquid reduces by half and the alcohol scent dissipates.
- Use Grey Poupon Dijon mustard for a well-balanced tang, but you can adjust the amount to taste.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken is perfectly cooked at 165°F to keep it juicy and safe to eat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
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