French Mustard Chicken: A Classic Bistro-Style Comfort Dish

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

French Mustard Chicken is a timeless dish rooted in classic French home cooking and bistro cuisine. Known in France as Poulet à la Moutarde, this recipe highlights the bold yet elegant flavor of mustard softened with cream, aromatics, and slow-simmered chicken. It’s simple, comforting, and deeply satisfying.

The beauty of this dish lies in its balance. Dijon mustard brings tang and sharpness, whole-grain mustard adds texture and mild heat, and cream mellows everything into a velvety sauce that clings beautifully to the chicken. Finished with fresh thyme, the result is rustic elegance on a plate.

This version is designed for the home cook. It uses one skillet, straightforward steps, and ingredients that are easy to find. Whether you’re cooking for family or hosting guests, French mustard chicken feels special without being fussy.

Why You’ll Love This French Mustard Chicken

  • One-pan recipe with minimal cleanup
  • Rich, creamy sauce without being heavy
  • Classic French flavors made approachable
  • Perfect for weeknights or dinner parties
  • Pairs beautifully with many sides

It’s also incredibly versatile. Serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up every drop of sauce.

Ingredients

  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or boneless if preferred)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 shallots, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp whole-grain mustard
  • ¾ cup chicken stock
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (plus more for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken dry and season generously with salt and black pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down until golden brown, about 5–6 minutes. Flip and cook another 3–4 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add shallots to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 2 minutes.
  4. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Stir in Dijon mustard and whole-grain mustard, coating the aromatics evenly.
  6. Pour in chicken stock, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
  7. Stir in heavy cream and fresh thyme. Bring sauce to a gentle simmer.
  8. Return chicken to the skillet, skin-side up. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20–25 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh thyme before serving.

French Mustard Chicken

A classic French chicken dish simmered in a creamy Dijon mustard sauce with garlic, shallots, and thyme.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 plates
Course: Dinner, Main
Cuisine: French
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

  • 6 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 shallots finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 0.25 cup Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp whole-grain mustard
  • 0.75 cup chicken stock
  • 0.75 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Tongs
  • Wooden spoon

Method
 

  1. Season and sear chicken until golden, then remove.
  2. Sauté shallots and garlic in the same skillet.
  3. Stir in mustards and deglaze with stock.
  4. Add cream and thyme and bring to a simmer.
  5. Return chicken and simmer until cooked through.

Notes

Serve with mashed potatoes or crusty bread.

Tips for Perfect Mustard Chicken

  • Use good-quality Dijon: Authentic Dijon mustard makes a noticeable difference
  • Don’t rush the sear: Golden skin adds flavor to the sauce
  • Simmer gently: Boiling can cause the sauce to separate
  • Bone-in chicken stays juicier, but boneless works if adjusted

Variations

  • Lighter version: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream
  • White wine: Replace ¼ cup stock with dry white wine
  • Herb swap: Tarragon or rosemary work beautifully
  • Mushroom addition: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the shallots

Serving Suggestions

French mustard chicken pairs perfectly with:

  • Creamy mashed potatoes
  • Buttered egg noodles
  • Steamed green beans or asparagus
  • Crusty French bread
  • Simple green salad with vinaigrette

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of stock or cream if needed.

Cultural Context: Poulet à la Moutarde

Mustard-based chicken dishes are especially popular in Burgundy, a region famous for both mustard and wine. Traditionally, this dish was cooked slowly and served family-style, making it a true comfort meal rooted in French culinary tradition.

Leave a Reply