Description
Spicy Maple Mustard Chicken with Creamy Polenta is a comforting yet dish featuring tender chicken glazed in a sweet, tangy, and spicy sauce, served over rich, buttery polenta for the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp whole grain mustard (optional)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes or 1 tsp chili paste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal (polenta)
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup milk or cream
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard (if using), maple syrup, crushed red pepper flakes, and chicken broth.
- Bring sauce to a simmer, return chicken to the skillet, and cook for 10–12 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and sauce thickens.
- Meanwhile, in a saucepan, bring broth and milk to a gentle boil. Slowly whisk in polenta to prevent lumps.
- Reduce heat and cook, stirring often, until thick and creamy, about 20–25 minutes.
- Stir in butter, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Adjust consistency with extra broth or milk if needed.
- Serve chicken over polenta, spooning sauce on top.
Notes
- Use bone-in chicken thighs for deeper flavor.
- Swap maple syrup for honey for a different sweetness profile.
- Add thyme or rosemary to the sauce for an herby touch.
- Increase heat with more chili flakes or hot sauce.
- Replace polenta with mashed potatoes or cauliflower puree for variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
