Half-and-Half Braised Chicken Thighs with Mustard Herb Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs braised in a rich half-and-half and mustard herb sauce, perfect for a comforting dinner. This French-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, half-and-half for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 French cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Season 6 bone-in chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then place skin side down and sear for 5-6 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip and cook an additional 3-4 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Remove chicken thighs and set aside. In the same skillet, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and 1 cup half-and-half, stirring to deglaze the pan and scrape up browned bits. Whisk in 2 tbsp Dijon mustard until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet skin side up. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Finish with 1 tbsp lemon juice, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste, and serve the chicken thighs with the creamy mustard herb sauce spooned over.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Half-and-Half Braised Chicken Thighs with Mustard Herb Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Half-and-Half Braised Chicken Thighs with Mustard Herb Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Half-and-Half Braised Chicken Thighs with Mustard Herb Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Half-and-Half Braised Chicken Thighs with Mustard Herb Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Half-and-Half Braised Chicken Thighs with Mustard Herb Sauce?

French chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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