Description
Succulent Dijon chicken brings French-inspired elegance to weeknight dinners with its tangy mustard glaze and crisp golden exterior. Juicy chicken breasts coated in zesty Dijon create a simple yet sophisticated meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.2 kg (2 lb 10 oz) bone-in, skin-on chicken thigh cutlets
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1.5 teaspoons sea salt flakes
- 0.25 teaspoons cracked black pepper
- 4 thyme sprigs (or 1 tablespoon dried thyme)
Cooking and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 brown onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic
- 0.5 cup (125 milliliters) dry white wine (or chicken stock)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons plain (all-purpose) flour
- 2 cups (500 milliliters) chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 cup (250 milliliters) thickened (heavy) cream
- 0.5 cup (50 grams) freshly grated parmesan
Serving Suggestions:
- Mashed potato
- Steamed greens or a leafy green salad
- Fresh thyme leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to a moderate temperature of 180°C (350°F), preparing for a flavorful chicken dish.
- Generously season chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then sear in a hot skillet with olive oil until golden brown on both sides.
- Transfer the browned chicken to a plate, keeping the delicious pan drippings intact.
- In the same skillet, sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until they release their aromatic essence.
- Deglaze the pan with wine or chicken stock, carefully scraping up the caramelized bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Incorporate butter and allow it to melt smoothly into the developing sauce.
- Dust the mixture with flour, stirring continuously to create a silky base for the sauce.
- Gradually whisk in chicken stock, Dijon mustard, and cream, creating a rich and velvety sauce that simmers and thickens.
- Nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the skillet, positioning them skin-side up and adorning with fragrant thyme.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast until the chicken reaches perfect doneness, typically 35-40 minutes.
- Sprinkle grated parmesan over the chicken, returning it to the oven for a final 3-5 minutes to create a golden, melted cheese crust.
- Plate the succulent chicken alongside creamy mashed potatoes and vibrant steamed greens, garnishing with fresh thyme leaves for an elegant touch.
Notes
- Swap chicken thighs with boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a leaner protein option that cooks slightly faster.
- Create a gluten-free version by replacing wheat flour with cornstarch or arrowroot powder when thickening the sauce.
- Toast dried herbs briefly before adding to enhance their flavor and release more aromatic compounds.
- For a dairy-free alternative, substitute cream with coconut milk or unsweetened almond cream to maintain sauce richness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg