One-Pan Creamy Dairy-Free Mustard Chicken Thighs

Welcome to your new favorite weeknight meal! This Skillet Mustard Chicken is a truly remarkable dish that comes together in just 40 minutes, promising a burst of creamy, savory, and tangy flavors in every bite. Perfect for busy evenings, this recipe features tender chicken thighs coated in a luscious, dairy-free mustard cream sauce, making it an ideal choice for those seeking both convenience and culinary delight. It’s simple enough for a casual family dinner yet elegant enough to impress guests.

What Our Readers Are Saying About This Skillet Mustard Chicken

“Oh my, so delicious and packed full of flavor. This is the best new recipe I’ve tried in a long time! Easy enough for a weeknight and impressive enough for company. This will be on repeat for my family!”

Mary Kay

Read more reviews >>

Crafting the Perfect Dairy-Free Mustard Cream Sauce

For years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to perfecting dairy-free recipes that don’t compromise on taste or texture. Our signature easy coconut milk cream sauce for chicken is a testament to this, and it forms the delectable base for this Skillet Mustard Chicken recipe.

The secret to its incredible creaminess lies in using full-fat coconut milk. While some might worry about a distinct coconut flavor, rest assured – it’s completely undetectable in the final dish. The robust flavors of mustard, savory seasonings, and earthy bone broth expertly mask any hint of coconut, leaving behind only a rich, velvety sauce that truly elevates the chicken.

We’ve also incorporated bone broth into the sauce, adding a layer of umami depth and a wealth of beneficial nutrients. This not only enhances the flavor profile but also contributes to the sauce’s luxurious, hearty consistency. The combination of these ingredients creates a complex and satisfying sauce that tastes indulgent without any dairy.

If you appreciate the magic of this dairy-free sauce, you’ll be thrilled to discover its versatility in other popular recipes such as our Creamy Dairy-Free Mushroom Chicken and the incredibly flavorful Creamy Dairy-Free Garlic Chicken. Each dish showcases how effortless it is to create rich, creamy meals without dairy.

Craving more delicious and hearty chicken recipes? Explore our extensive collection for endless inspiration!

Why You’ll Love Skillet Chicken Dinners

Skillet meals are a busy home cook’s best friend, and this creamy mustard chicken exemplifies why. The beauty of cooking in a single pan lies in its efficiency, both in preparation and cleanup. This method allows flavors to meld beautifully, creating a more cohesive and deeply satisfying dish. From searing the chicken to simmering the sauce and wilting the vegetables, everything happens in one skillet, drastically reducing the number of dirty dishes. This makes it perfect for those hectic weeknights when you want a homemade meal without the fuss.

Beyond convenience, skillet cooking also provides excellent temperature control, ensuring that your chicken is perfectly cooked and juicy, while the sauce develops a wonderful depth of flavor. The cast iron or heavy-bottomed skillet creates a superb crust on the chicken, locking in moisture and adding another layer of texture that enhances the entire eating experience.

Perfect Pairings: Serving Ideas for This Creamy Mustard Chicken

While this recipe, especially with the optional kale, functions wonderfully as a complete one-pot meal packed with vegetables, its rich mustard cream sauce begs to be soaked up. Here are some fantastic options to serve alongside your Creamy Mustard Chicken:

• **Classic Comfort:** Serve it over fluffy white rice or, for a lighter, low-carb alternative, cauliflower rice. Both provide an excellent base to absorb every drop of that delicious sauce.
• **Healthy Noodle Alternatives:** For a grain-free option, enjoy it over spiralized zucchini noodles or sweet potato noodles. These add a fresh, vibrant contrast and are a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your meal.
• **Gluten-Free Pasta Delight:** Spoon the chicken and sauce generously over your favorite gluten-free pasta. The pasta’s texture perfectly complements the creamy sauce, creating a hearty and satisfying dish that feels truly indulgent.
• **Crisp Green Salad:** A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette can cut through the richness of the sauce, offering a refreshing balance to your plate.
• **Roasted Vegetables:** Enhance your meal with a side of roasted broccoli, asparagus, or green beans. Their slightly charred flavor and tender-crisp texture make an excellent accompaniment.
• **Crusty Bread:** For those who enjoy a little extra, a piece of warm, crusty gluten-free bread is perfect for mopping up any leftover sauce.

However you choose to enjoy it, we are confident you’re going to fall in love with the savory chicken thighs bathed in this exquisite mustard cream sauce!

Customizing Your Skillet Mustard Chicken: Frequently Asked Questions & Variations

This creamy mustard chicken recipe is incredibly adaptable, allowing you to tailor it to your preferences and what you have on hand. Here are answers to common questions and ideas for delicious variations:

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs? Absolutely! Chicken breasts can be substituted for thighs. When we tested this variation, we found that breasts often require a slightly longer cooking time to ensure they are fully cooked through and juicy. We recommend adjusting the cooking time in step #4 of the recipe to 6-7 minutes per side, or even longer for particularly thick breasts. Always ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

What kind of mustard should I use? Dijon or yellow mustard? This recipe is quite flexible when it comes to mustard! You can use whatever mustard you prefer or have on hand. Classic yellow mustard provides a familiar tangy flavor that works beautifully. Dijon mustard, with its sharper, more sophisticated kick, also pairs exceptionally well with this creamy sauce. We’ve tested and thoroughly enjoyed both options, so feel free to experiment to find your favorite!

Do I have to include kale? Can I use other greens? The addition of kale is entirely optional and serves to boost the nutritional content and add a lovely color and texture. If kale isn’t your preference, you can certainly leave it out completely. Alternatively, feel free to substitute with other tender greens like fresh spinach, robust Swiss chard, or peppery arugula. Add them at the same stage in the recipe, cooking until just wilted.

Can I use regular dairy milk or another nut milk instead of coconut milk? Yes, you can substitute other milks, but be mindful of the texture. If you prefer dairy, whole milk or heavy cream will yield the creamiest result, closely mimicking the richness of full-fat coconut milk. For other nut milks like almond or cashew milk, while they can be used, they typically result in a thinner, more “soupy” sauce compared to the dense creaminess provided by full-fat coconut milk. This is because full-fat coconut milk has a higher fat content, which contributes significantly to the sauce’s body.

Can I use ground chicken or turkey for this recipe? Yes! Many readers have successfully adapted this recipe using ground chicken or turkey, and they report it tastes fantastic. If using ground meat, simply cook it fully in step #4 of the recipe, breaking it up with a spoon as it browns, before proceeding with the rest of the sauce preparation. This offers a different texture and can be a great way to use up ingredients.

How can I add some spice to the dish? If you enjoy a bit of heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the other seasonings in the mustard sauce. Adjust the amount to your desired level of spice.

Can I add more vegetables? Absolutely! Sliced bell peppers, asparagus spears, or even finely diced carrots can be added with the onions and mushrooms to boost the vegetable content and add more flavor and nutrients. Just ensure they have enough time to soften.

Storage and Reheating Tips

This Skillet Mustard Chicken makes for fantastic leftovers, perfect for meal prepping or enjoying the next day. Here’s how to store and reheat it:

• **Storage:** Allow the chicken and sauce to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• **Reheating:** To reheat, gently warm the chicken and sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat, or in the microwave. If the sauce has thickened too much in the fridge, you can add a tablespoon or two of chicken broth or coconut milk to thin it back to your desired consistency while reheating. Be careful not to overheat the chicken, as it can dry out.
• **Freezing:** While the sauce itself can be frozen, the texture of the coconut milk-based sauce might separate slightly upon thawing. The cooked chicken thighs, however, freeze well. If you plan to freeze, it’s best to freeze the chicken separate from the sauce, or be prepared to whisk the sauce vigorously upon reheating to recombine. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months.

4.64 from 154 ratings

Get the Recipe:

Skillet Chicken Thighs with Creamy Mustard Sauce (Dairy-Free)

Prep:
5 minutes mins

Cook:
40 minutes mins

Servings:
4

This dairy-free skillet mustard chicken recipe features tender chicken thighs coated in a creamy, comforting mustard sauce, enhanced with savory bacon bits and fresh herbs. A perfect quick and healthy weeknight dinner.

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
Leave a Review

Ingredients

For the Creamy Mustard Sauce:

• 1/4 cup yellow mustard, (or Dijon mustard of choice)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
• 2 tbsp coconut aminos
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme, diced, (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp smoked paprika

For the Skillet Chicken:

• 8 pieces bacon, diced
• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 4 cups kale, roughly chopped, (optional, can omit or substitute other greens like spinach)
• Chopped fresh parsley, (optional garnish)

Instructions

 

• 1. Prepare Bacon: Dice the bacon into small pieces. Heat a large skillet (preferably cast iron or a heavy-bottomed pan) over medium heat. Add the diced bacon to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is beautifully browned and crisp. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain, reserving the rendered bacon fat in the pan.
• 2. Whisk the Sauce: While the bacon is cooking, prepare your creamy mustard sauce. In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, combine all the mustard sauce ingredients: yellow mustard, chicken broth, full-fat coconut milk, coconut aminos, diced fresh thyme, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Whisk everything together thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Set aside.
• 3. Prep Vegetables: Dice the onion, slice the mushrooms, and roughly chop the kale (if using). Measure out any remaining ingredients needed for the recipe.
• 4. Sear Chicken: Ensure the skillet still has about 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat (add a little olive oil if needed). Keep the skillet on medium heat. Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in the hot skillet in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes to get a nice sear. Flip the chicken and cook for another 4-5 minutes on the second side. The chicken should be golden brown and mostly cooked through; a slight undercook is fine as it will finish cooking in the sauce. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a clean plate.
• 5. Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion to the skillet, using the residual bacon fat. Cook the onion, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until it starts to soften and become translucent.
• 6. Add Mushrooms: Introduce the sliced mushrooms to the skillet with the softened onions. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for an additional 2-3 minutes until the mushrooms begin to release their moisture and brown slightly.
• 7. Deglaze and Simmer Sauce: Give your prepared mustard sauce a quick whisk once more. Pour the sauce into the skillet with the onions and mushrooms. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan – this is called deglazing and adds immense depth to your sauce. Bring the sauce to a quick simmer.
• 8. Combine and Finish Cooking: Return the seared chicken thighs and the crispy bacon bits back into the skillet, nestling them into the simmering sauce. Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and let it gently simmer for 4-5 minutes. During this time, the sauce will thicken slightly, and the chicken will finish cooking through, absorbing all the wonderful flavors. Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• 9. Wilt Kale (Optional): If you are adding kale, remove the cover from the skillet. Stir in the roughly chopped kale and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring gently, until the kale is wilted and tender-crisp.
• 10. Serve: Serve the creamy mustard chicken immediately. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired for a touch of color and freshness. Don’t forget to spoon plenty of that delicious creamy sauce over each chicken thigh for serving!

Last Step:

Please leave a star rating and comment to let us know how you liked this recipe! Your ratings and reviews help our business grow, thank you!

Course:
Main Course

Author:
Justin Winn

Cuisine:
American

Did you make this recipe?
Tag @realsimplegood with hashtag #realsimplegood on Instagram. We love to see what you make!