There's something utterly comforting about a sauce that clings perfectly to tender chicken, rich with flavor but not overpowering. This Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe strikes that beautiful balance, delivering a luscious, tangy creaminess that’s quick to whip up on any weeknight.

The image shows five golden-brown cooked chicken pieces on a white oval plate. The chicken is covered with a creamy light beige sauce that has green herb pieces sprinkled on top. The pieces are arranged close together, with some sauce pooling at the bottom. A fresh green parsley sprig rests on the right side of the plate. The plate is set on a white marbled surface with a dark green cloth under the left side. The background includes blurred green herbs. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made this Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe — it felt like an elevated restaurant dish but came together so easily in my own kitchen. The sauce is rich but balanced, pairing that classic mustard tang with just enough creaminess to feel indulgent without being heavy.

Speedy preparation: You’ll have a comforting, flavorful meal on the table in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy nights.
Simple ingredients: No hard-to-find items here—just pantry staples that come together beautifully.
Deliciously versatile: It pairs well with lots of sides, so you can adapt it easily based on what you have or like.
Show-stopping sauce: That creamy Dijon mustard sauce feels gourmet but is foolproof to make.

The image shows a white pan filled with four golden-brown cooked chicken pieces placed evenly inside a creamy light yellow sauce with small green herb pieces sprinkled over the sauce and chicken. The sauce has a smooth texture, and the chicken pieces have a slightly crispy outside with a juicy inside, each topped with small chopped green herbs. The pan sits on a green cloth over a white marbled surface, with a silver spoon on the right side of the pan resting partially in the sauce. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a part in making the sauce irresistible while keeping the chicken juicy and tender. It’s a combination that highlights comfort and elegance, all without fuss.

Flat lay of fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts with smooth, pale pink skin, a small pile of coarse sea salt crystals, a few whole black peppercorns scattered nearby, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden olive oil, fresh garlic cloves peeled and whole, a small white bowl containing clear light chicken broth, another small white bowl holding thick heavy cream, a small white bowl with creamy pale yellow Dijon mustard, fresh thyme sprigs with tiny green leaves, a pinch of dried sage in a tiny white bowl, a small white bowl with glossy amber honey, and a few bright green parsley sprigs arranged neatly, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Flattened to an even thickness for quick, even cooking and tender results.
Olive oil: Helps sear the chicken nicely, building flavor and preventing sticking.
Garlic: Just a hint to add fragrant depth to the sauce without overpowering it.
Chicken broth: Adds savory richness and helps create that beautiful pan sauce.
Heavy cream: For the silky smooth texture that makes the sauce luxurious.
Dijon mustard: The star of the sauce! I prefer Grey Poupon because it’s robust but not harsh.
Fresh thyme and dried sage: Herbal notes that add complexity and warmth.
Honey: Balances the tang of mustard with a touch of sweetness—just enough to round it out.
Fresh parsley (optional): For a pop of freshness and color when serving.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe depending on what I’m in the mood for or what’s in my pantry. It’s one of those dishes that takes very well to a personal touch — don’t be shy about experimenting!

Variation: Sometimes I swap the chicken broth for half dry white wine and chicken broth—this adds a beautiful depth and a subtle acidity that lifts the sauce nicely.
Make it lighter: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a slightly lighter sauce without losing too much creaminess.
Herb swap: If you don’t have fresh thyme, dried herbs like rosemary or tarragon also work great here.
Spice it up: A pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne adds a surprising smoky kick that my family really enjoys.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Flatten Your Chicken

Start by pounding your chicken breasts until they’re about half an inch thick. This helps them cook evenly, preventing those pesky dry edges while the inside stays juicy. I like to place each breast between two sheets of plastic wrap for a clean pounding experience—less mess and no chicken flying across the kitchen! Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it’s shimmering. Add the chicken and resist the urge to move it around—let it develop a nice golden crust by cooking undisturbed for 5-6 minutes per side. A quick tip: use an instant-read thermometer to hit 165°F at the thickest part, so you don’t over- or undercook it.

Step 3: Build the Sauce in the Same Pan

After transferring the chicken to a plate and tenting with foil to keep warm, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet on medium-low heat. Toss in the minced garlic and sauté just until fragrant and turning a light golden brown—this takes about 10 seconds, so watch closely to avoid burning. Then, pour in the chicken broth along with thyme and sage. Let it simmer for about a minute until the liquid reduces by half, concentrating those flavors.

Step 4: Finish With Cream, Mustard & Honey

Stir in the heavy cream and Dijon mustard, and keep the sauce at a gentle simmer, stirring frequently, until it thickens just slightly—about one minute. The mustard adds that lovely tang, while the cream gives it silkiness. Finally, blend in the honey and season with salt and pepper to taste. This sweet little touch rounds out the sauce perfectly!

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Spoon that dreamy sauce generously over your chicken breasts, sprinkle with fresh parsley if you like, and serve immediately. This is always such a hit when my friends come over!

Top Tip

From my experience making this dish frequently, these simple tips make all the difference in getting that perfect balance of flavors and textures every time.

Flatten Evenly: Using a meat mallet or rolling pin ensures the chicken cooks quickly and stays juicy.
Don’t Skip the Rest: Letting the chicken rest under foil after searing locks in the juices and keeps it tender.
Watch Your Garlic: Garlic goes from fragrant to bitter fast — sauté just until it begins to change color for the best taste.
Adjust the Mustard: Taste your sauce and add more Dijon if you want a stronger mustard kick — it’s easy to adjust on the fly.

How to Serve Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe

Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I keep it simple with fresh minced parsley—it adds a lovely burst of green freshness and a subtle grassy note that lifts the rich sauce. Sometimes I toss on a few fresh thyme leaves for a more herbaceous pop, especially if I’m serving guests.

Side Dishes

This chicken always shines alongside buttery mashed potatoes or creamy polenta, which soak up every drop of that sauce. Roasted green beans or sautéed spinach also add fresh, vibrant balance to the plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I like plating the chicken over a bed of wild rice pilaf, drizzling the sauce over, and garnishing with edible flowers or microgreens for an elegant touch. Sitting the chicken atop grilled asparagus spears also creates a chic and colorful presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers in the fridge. This keeps the chicken from getting soggy and preserves the sauce’s texture. They stay good for about 3 days.

Freezing

This recipe freezes pretty well if you peel off the sauce from the chicken before freezing. Freeze the sauce in a separate freezer-safe container and the chicken in another to keep the best texture. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.

Reheating

To reheat, I warm the sauce slowly in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring often, then add the chicken pieces just to heat through. Doing this on low helps the cream sauce keep its silky texture without breaking.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will work well and can be a bit juicier and more forgiving when cooked. Just adjust cooking time slightly to ensure they're cooked through.

What can I substitute for heavy cream?

If you want to lighten the dish, half-and-half or full-fat coconut milk can substitute in a pinch. The sauce might be less thick or slightly less rich, but still tasty.

How do I prevent the sauce from separating?

Keeping the sauce at a gentle simmer and stirring frequently helps. Avoid boiling after adding the cream, as high heat can cause separation. Adding mustard slowly and tasting as you go also stabilizes the sauce flavor and texture.

Can I prepare this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! All the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but just be sure your mustard and chicken broth don’t contain any gluten additives or thickeners.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Dijon Mustard Chicken Recipe has become such a go-to in my kitchen because it reliably delivers that rich, comforting sauce alongside perfectly cooked chicken — all without fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients. If you want an easy dinner that feels like a treat, I can’t recommend this enough. Trust me, once you make it, you’ll be reaching for it again and again.