Chicken Dijon is a flavorful, oven-baked dish known for its rich, tangy coating made from sour cream, Dijon mustard, paprika, and garlic. This recipe reflects mid-century American cooking trends that embraced creamy, breadcrumb-coated baked chicken with a continental flair. Perfect for weeknights or small gatherings, it combines simple pantry staples with elegant flavor. The mustard and garlic infuse the chicken with savory depth, while cracker crumbs add a satisfying crunch.
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs chicken pieces (boned, about 6 pieces)
- ½ cup salted milk (*see tip below)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup Dijon-type mustard
- 3 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp celery salt
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tsp lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup fine cracker crumbs
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
- Soak chicken pieces in salted milk for 1 hour.
Step 2: Make the Coating
- In a separate bowl, mix together sour cream, Dijon mustard, paprika, celery salt, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and minced garlic.
Step 3: Prep the Chicken
- Remove chicken from milk and pat dry. Sprinkle lightly with pepper.
Step 4: Coat the Chicken
- Heavily coat each piece of chicken with the sour cream mixture. Sprinkle with fine cracker crumbs.
Step 5: Bake
- Place coated chicken on a greased rack set in a shallow baking pan.
- Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 15 minutes.
- Reduce oven temperature to 325°F and bake an additional 20 minutes or until fully cooked.
Tips
- Use whole bone-in chicken pieces for extra moisture and flavor.
- Substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream for a tangier, lighter version.
- Add fresh herbs (thyme, tarragon) to the sour cream mixture for aromatic depth.
- Try panko instead of cracker crumbs for a crispier coating.
- Make it spicier by adding cayenne or hot paprika.
- Add a splash of white wine to the sour cream mixture for a French-style twist.
- For more browning, broil the chicken for 1 to 2 minutes at the end.
- Replace the salted milk soak with buttermilk for added tenderness.
- Use boneless chicken breasts or thighs for faster cooking.
- Serve with rice, buttered noodles, or roasted potatoes.
Nutrition
Calories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 18gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 1462mgPotassium: 351mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 787IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 106mgIron: 2mg
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