Ingredients
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 large head garlic
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 teaspoons fine sea salt (divided use)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Fats and Thickeners
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Liquids and Flavorings
- ¾ cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ tablespoon stone ground mustard
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- 1 ½ cups chicken stock
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F to prepare for baking the chicken after searing.
- Prepare garlic: Separate the garlic cloves from the head, peel them, then roughly chop. Set aside for use in the sauce later.
- Season chicken: Season the chicken thighs evenly with 1 ½ teaspoons of the fine sea salt on all sides to enhance flavor.
- Sear chicken: Heat a large 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil, and wait until it shimmers. Add chicken and cook without moving for about 5 minutes until golden on one side; then flip and sear the other side for another 5 minutes. The chicken will not be fully cooked at this point.
- Remove chicken: Transfer the seared chicken to a plate; do not clean the skillet as it holds flavorful bits for the sauce.
- Cook garlic: Lower heat to medium, melt butter in the skillet, add chopped garlic, and cook while stirring occasionally for 3-4 minutes until garlic is lightly browned and fragrant.
- Make roux and add flavorings: Sprinkle flour into the skillet, stir to combine, and cook for one minute to create a roux. Whisk in dry white wine, Dijon mustard, stone ground mustard, rosemary, and thyme, scraping the bottom of the pan to release browned bits.
- Add chicken stock and season: Whisk in chicken stock, the remaining ½ teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Ensure the sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Return chicken to skillet: Nestle the chicken thighs back into the sauce within the skillet, making sure they are partially submerged.
- Bake chicken: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reads 165°F.
- Finish and rest: Remove skillet from oven, stir the sauce, and taste; adjust salt or pepper as necessary. Allow the chicken and sauce to rest for 5-10 minutes to thicken the sauce before serving. Serve with your choice of sides such as roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, rice, or orzo for a complete meal.
Notes
- Using bone-in chicken thighs may require longer baking time and may change texture.
- Dry white wine adds acidity and complexity; substitute with chicken broth if avoiding alcohol.
- Fresh herbs can be replaced with 1 teaspoon dried rosemary and ½ teaspoon dried thyme if fresh is unavailable.
- Ensure skillet is oven-safe to avoid damage when transferring to the oven.
- Resting the chicken allows the juices to redistribute and the sauce to thicken for better flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American