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Roasted Chicken with a Dijon Cream Sauce on a white plate.
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5 from 1 vote

Roasted Chicken with Dijon Cream Sauce Recipe

Melt-in-your-mouth delicious! My take on the French Poulet à la Dijonnaise. Tender roasted chicken smothered in a creamy, tangy, tarragon sauce.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, French
Keyword: cream sauce, dijon, roasted chicken
Servings: 4
Calories: 632kcal
Author: Leigh Harris

Ingredients

For the chicken

  • 1 3 - 5 lb whole chicken
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
  • 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 1/2 tbsp fresh tarragon, chopped
  • 1/2 cup creme fraiche

For the sauce:

  • 2 tbsp pan drippings
  • 1 tbsp flour
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Remove giblets.  Place the chicken breast-side down on a cutting board. Use heavy-duty kitchen scissors to cut out the backbone by cutting down from neck to tail along each side. Remove and discard. Open the bird up like a book. Use a sharp paring knife to cut down the center of the bird, just deep enough to incise the cartilage covering the breastbone. Turn the chicken over and press down on the chicken to flatten it completely. 
    1 3 - 5 lb whole chicken
  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, season with salt, pepper, and place it in the roasting pan.
    1 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
  • Brush the dijon mustard evenly over the chicken, sprinkle the tarragon over evenly. Then spoon the creme fraiche over the chicken.
    3 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 1/2 tbsp fresh tarragon, chopped, 1/2 cup creme fraiche
  • Roast for 40-60 minutes, until the thickest part of the breast registers 150°F on an instant-read thermometer and the legs are at least 175°F.
  • Remove the chicken from the pan to a cutting board or plate to rest. 
  • Remove all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the roasting pan. Place the pan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, whisk in 1 tablespoon of flour and cook for at least 1 minute. Add the 1/4 cup of white wine, 1 cup of chicken stock, and boil until it thickens about 3-4 minutes.
    2 tbsp pan drippings, 1 tbsp flour, 1/4 cup white wine, 1 cup chicken stock, salt and pepper, to taste
  • Slice the chicken into serving size pieces and drizzle with the sauce. 

Notes

You can also use chicken leg quarters, chicken breasts, and chicken thighs. If you mix and match chicken pieces use a probe-style thermometer to keep an eye on the internal temperature while cooking. They will take less time to cook than an intact whole chicken.
Storing Leftovers - Let any leftovers cool to room temperature, place them in an air tight container, and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 632kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 185mg | Sodium: 972mg | Potassium: 562mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 512IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 3mg