Description
Barefoot Contessa’s crispy mustard chicken recipe delivers golden, herb-crusted poultry with tangy Dijon charm. Rustic French techniques combine simple ingredients for a memorable dinner that invites home cooks to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.6 to 1.8 kg (3.5 to 4 lbs) chicken, cut into eighths
- 120 ml (½ cup) dry white wine
- 120 g (4.2 oz) Dijon mustard (such as Grey Poupon)
- 200 g (7 oz) panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
- 30 ml (2 tbsps) good olive oil
- 30 g (1 oz) unsalted butter, melted
- 15 g (½ oz) minced fresh thyme leaves
- 4 garlic cloves
- 6 g (2 tsps) grated lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Flavor Development: Blend garlic, thyme, salt, and black pepper in a food processor until uniformly chopped, creating an aromatic base for the crispy coating.
- Crumb Preparation: Pulse panko breadcrumbs with lemon zest, olive oil, and melted butter into the herb mixture, forming a moistened, textured coating. Spread the mixture evenly on a large plate.
- Mustard Wash: Whisk Dijon mustard and white wine in a shallow dish, creating a smooth, tangy liquid for coating the chicken.
- Chicken Preparation: Thoroughly dry chicken pieces with paper towels, then season comprehensively with salt and black pepper, ensuring complete coverage.
- Coating Process: Immerse each chicken piece in the mustard wash, then transfer to the breadcrumb plate. Press firmly, especially on the skin side, to ensure a thick, even crumb coating that adheres completely.
- Baking Method: Arrange coated chicken on a baking tray with skin facing upward. Sprinkle any remaining breadcrumb mixture over exposed areas. Roast in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 40 minutes, then intensify heat to 200°C (400°F) for a final 10 minutes until the chicken achieves a golden-brown crust and reaches perfect internal temperature.
- Serving: Rest the chicken briefly before presenting, allowing the crispy exterior to set while maintaining optimal juiciness and flavor.
Notes
- Moisture Matters: Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to ensure crispy, golden-brown breadcrumb coating that sticks perfectly.
- Crumb Coating Technique: Gently press breadcrumb mixture onto chicken, focusing on skin-side for maximum crunch and flavor absorption.
- Temperature Transformation: Two-stage baking method creates a perfectly crisp exterior while maintaining juicy chicken interior.
- Flavor Boosting Hack: Combine fresh thyme, lemon zest, and garlic in food processor for an intensely aromatic and well-distributed seasoning base.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg