Maple Dijon Chicken with Holiday Thyme Pan Sauce

Here’s a refined, flavorful recipe for Maple Dijon Chicken with Holiday Thyme Pan Sauce—perfect for a cozy, festive meal.

🍗 Maple Dijon Chicken with Holiday Thyme Pan Sauce

Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter

For the sauce:

• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried)
• 1 shallot, minced (optional for extra depth)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the chicken

1. Pat chicken dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add chicken breasts and sear 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).
4. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.

2. Make the pan sauce

1. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and sauté shallot (if using) until fragrant, ~1 minute.
2. Stir in Dijon mustard and maple syrup until combined.
3. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
4. Add thyme leaves and simmer 2–3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

3. Combine & serve

1. Return chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over the top to coat.
2. Serve hot with your favorite sides: roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a warm grain like wild rice.

💡 Tip: For extra holiday flavor, add a splash of apple cider or a few cranberries to the sauce.

I can also create a quick sheet-pan version that cooks everything together, perfect for a one-pan holiday dinner. Do you want me to do that?