Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 8-oz boneless skinless chicken breasts (or 6-8 boneless skinless chicken thighs)
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
Sauce
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
- 2/3 cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free option)
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Season both sides evenly with sea salt and black pepper.
- Sear Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts in a single layer (cook in batches if needed) and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown but not fully cooked. Remove the chicken and cover to keep warm.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Reduce Broth: Pour in the chicken broth. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Increase heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes until the broth reduces by half.
- Make Sauce: Whisk in the heavy cream, honey, and Dijon mustard. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer a few minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. The sauce will thicken slightly more in the oven.
- Bake Chicken: Return the chicken to the skillet, turning to coat with the sauce. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 7-10 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
- Serve: Plate the chicken and spoon the honey mustard sauce over the top for a delicious, creamy finish.
Notes
- You can substitute boneless skinless chicken thighs for breasts if preferred; adjust cooking time as needed.
- For a dairy-free version, use full-fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream.
- Use a cast iron skillet or any oven-safe pan to ensure even cooking and easy transfer to the oven.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked but still juicy.
- Serve with steamed vegetables, rice, or mashed potatoes to complete the meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American