When it comes to combining comfort, elegance, and ease, Slow Cooker French Wine and Mustard Chicken checks every box. With the rich, tangy flavor of Dijon mustard, the subtle depth of dry white wine, and the tender juiciness of slow-cooked chicken thighs, this dish transforms weeknight meals into something truly special. Inspired by rustic French cuisine and simplified for your slow cooker, this creamy mustard chicken will quickly become a family favorite.
Looking for inspiration? Try our Creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe for another slow-cooked comfort classic.
Whether you’re cooking for a cozy dinner at home or looking to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen, this recipe offers all the flavor with minimal fuss.
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Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker French Mustard Chicken
A Cozy French Classic with a Modern Twist
This dish is a modern take on traditional poulet à la moutarde, a French staple that showcases mustard’s bold personality in a creamy, luscious sauce. What sets this version apart is its simplicity—just prep, brown, and let the slow cooker handle the rest.
With a creamy wine and mustard sauce coating every bite, this dish brings the richness of French countryside cooking to your kitchen without the need for complicated steps or fancy ingredients.
Why the Slow Cooker Makes All the Difference
Slow cooking is the secret to developing deep flavors and incredibly tender meat. Chicken thighs, when cooked low and slow, soak up the tang of mustard and the fragrance of white wine like a sponge. You get a melt-in-your-mouth texture that you simply can’t achieve on the stovetop alone.
Don’t miss our Beef Stew Delicious Recipe for another cozy, slow-cooked meal idea.
Plus, using a slow cooker means you can prep it in the morning and come home to dinner ready and waiting.
Perfect for Family Dinners or Entertaining
Whether it’s Sunday supper or a casual dinner party, this dish is a showstopper. Serve it over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or crusty French bread—whatever soaks up that sauce best!
Need more cozy dinner ideas? Discover great recipes like White Chicken Chili Recipe or Tuscan Beef Casserole Recipe, both crowd-pleasers in their own right.
Ingredients for French Wine and Mustard Chicken
The Star Ingredients: Mustards and Wine
The foundation of this dish is its unforgettable sauce. You’ll need:
- Dijon mustard: Use both whole-grain and smooth for flavor and texture
- Dry white wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio work well
- Heavy cream: Adds richness to the sauce
- Chicken broth: Helps balance acidity and deepen the flavor
The combination of these ingredients creates a creamy, savory sauce that clings beautifully to every bite.
Choosing the Right Chicken Cuts
For best results, go with bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. They hold up better to long cooking, offering more flavor and staying tender. Boneless thighs or even drumsticks can be substituted, but avoid chicken breast, which can dry out easily in the slow cooker.
If you love rich, slow-cooked poultry, check out our Marry Me Chicken Soup Recipe for another hearty variation.
Optional Add-Ins to Elevate Flavor
Want to make it your own? Try adding:
- Sliced mushrooms for earthiness
- A splash of brandy for depth
- A few sprigs of fresh thyme
- Creamy leeks or shallots for even more flavor
These additions bring out the complexity in the sauce without complicating the cooking process.
How to Make Slow Cooker French Mustard Chicken
Making this dish is all about layering flavor at every stage—from searing the chicken to building that rich, creamy sauce. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you do it right.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Results
1. Sear the Chicken:
Start by heating 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. While it heats, pat dry 4 pounds of bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and season with salt and pepper. Sear half of the chicken skin-side down for 6–8 minutes until golden and crispy. Transfer to a slow cooker, skin-side up. Repeat with the rest.
2. Sauté the Aromatics:
Remove most of the fat, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the skillet. Add 1 cup of diced shallots and cook until softened—about 3 minutes.
3. Deglaze and Build the Sauce:
Pour in 1 cup of dry white wine, scraping up any brown bits with a wooden spoon. Let it simmer until reduced—roughly 6 minutes. Stir in ½ cup of low-sodium chicken broth and ¼ cup of whole-grain Dijon mustard, then bring to a gentle simmer.
4. Slow Cook:
Pour this flavorful mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, aiming for 4 hours if you want the chicken to hold its shape and texture better.
5. Make It Creamy:
Once the chicken is done, transfer it to a plate and cover loosely with foil. In a bowl, whisk together ¼ cup smooth Dijon mustard, ¼ cup heavy cream, and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Add this to the slow cooker sauce, set it to HIGH, cover, and let it cook for 30 minutes to thicken.
6. Serve:
Return the chicken or serve it separately topped with sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Tips for Browning the Chicken Correctly
This step isn’t just for looks—it deepens flavor and helps the chicken skin retain some texture during slow cooking. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan and always cook skin-side down first.
If you love slow-cooked meats with crispy textures, check out our Crispy Chicken Poblano Salad Recipe for a lighter take on chicken with texture.
Making the Creamy Dijon Sauce in the Slow Cooker
One of the secrets to the rich finish of this dish is the final addition of cream and cornstarch. Always whisk these together first before adding to prevent clumping. After 30 minutes on high, your sauce should be velvety and luxurious.
Want more saucy, slow-cooked meals? Don’t miss our Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken for a globally inspired twist.
Recipe Notes and Storage Tips
- Leftovers: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.
- Freezing: This dish freezes well. Store in portioned containers for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Warm gently on the stove or microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring occasionally to keep the sauce smooth.
Expert Tips to Nail the Recipe Every Time
Don’t Skip the Browning Step
The golden-brown skin adds deep flavor and helps lock in moisture. Even though it takes a little extra time, this step transforms the chicken from bland to beautifully caramelized.
Looking for inspiration? Try our Garlic Butter Steak Bites where browning brings out bold flavors in seconds.
Substitutions and Variations You Can Try
- No wine? Substitute with more chicken broth and a splash of white wine vinegar.
- No cream? Use sour cream, crème fraîche, or even Greek yogurt for a tangier finish.
- Boneless chicken? Yes, you can! Just reduce cook time slightly to avoid overcooking.
How to Prevent Mushy Chicken Thighs
Stick to 4 hours on LOW if you prefer chicken that holds its shape. Cooking too long causes breakdown of connective tissues, making the texture too soft. Also, avoid overcrowding the slow cooker.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Best Sides for French Mustard Chicken
Pair your dish with:
| Side Dish | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Mashed Potatoes | Creamy and ideal for soaking up that Dijon sauce |
| Buttery Egg Noodles | A classic comfort pairing |
| Roasted Green Beans | Adds a crisp and bright balance |
| Crusty French Bread | Perfect for sauce dipping |
Ideal Wines to Pair With This Dish
Since the recipe features white wine, you can match it easily with:
- Chardonnay – for a creamy, buttery profile
- Sauvignon Blanc – crisp and citrusy, balances the richness
- Pinot Gris – light and fruity, complements the mustard
Need more rich dinner inspiration? Discover great ideas like Steak with Creamy Garlic Sauce—another saucy favorite.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
- Store leftovers up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave—add a splash of broth or cream to revive the sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use boneless chicken instead of thighs?
Yes! Boneless, skinless thighs work well. Reduce the cook time slightly—check for doneness around 3.5 hours on LOW.
What type of white wine works best?
Go with a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or Pinot Grigio. Avoid sweet varieties, which can overpower the mustard.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free or gluten-free?
Absolutely. For dairy-free, use coconut cream or oat cream. For gluten-free, ensure your broth and mustard are certified gluten-free.
How long does this keep in the fridge or freezer?
In the fridge, up to 4 days. In the freezer, up to 3 months. Store the chicken and sauce together in sealed containers.
Conclusion: A Slow-Cooked French Delight You’ll Make Again and Again
There’s nothing quite like the warmth of a home-cooked French meal—especially when it’s as easy and elegant as Slow Cooker French Wine and Mustard Chicken. From the bold tang of mustard to the richness of the wine-infused sauce, this dish turns basic ingredients into something unforgettable.
Don’t miss our Easy Black Pepper Chicken Recipe if you’re craving more easy, flavorful weeknight dinners.
So grab your slow cooker, pour that wine, and let dinner cook itself.
PrintSlow Cooker French Wine and Mustard Chicken
Slow Cooker French Wine and Mustard Chicken is a rich, creamy, and elegant dish inspired by classic French cuisine. Tender chicken thighs simmer in a sauce made with Dijon mustard, white wine, and cream, all effortlessly prepared in a slow cooker.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup diced shallots (from about 4 medium shallots)
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup whole-grain Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Coarsely chopped fresh parsley, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Brown half the chicken skin-side down until golden, 6–8 minutes. Transfer to slow cooker. Repeat with remaining chicken.
- Remove all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the skillet. Add shallots and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Add white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer until reduced, about 6 minutes.
- Stir in chicken broth and whole-grain mustard. Bring to a simmer and pour over chicken in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours until chicken reaches 165°F.
- Transfer chicken to a platter and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Whisk together Dijon mustard, cream, and cornstarch. Add to slow cooker, set to HIGH, cover, and cook for 30 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Taste and season sauce as needed. Serve chicken topped with sauce and garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezes well for up to 3 months.
- Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or cream if needed.
- For best texture, cook on LOW for no more than 4 hours.
- Substitute wine with more broth and a splash of vinegar if needed.
