Chicken with Arugula and Mustard Pan Sauce
on Jul 22, 2017, Updated Jan 18, 2025
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A handful of supporting ingredients turn a couple of handfuls of arugula into an amazing pan sauce that's perfect for chicken.
It’s me, talking about pan sauces again! I’m always looking for a new pan sauce for chicken breasts (get the 101 on how to make a simple pan sauce). And why? Because I know of no other way to consistently turn a package of chicken breasts into something special, with such a small amount of time and fuss and ingredients.
Sometimes, I use regular boneless, skinless chicken breasts; sometimes, I pound those breasts, and sometimes, I buy or cut thin-sliced cutlets. One thing about those packaged thin sliced cutlets: sometimes they are beautifully sliced, thin and even, and similar in size. When you have those to work with, your dish looks quite elegant and cooks up nice and evenly.
But sometimes the chicken has been sliced in a not-so-pretty and not-so-even way, and that’s a bit frustrating, I have to say. I’m well aware that chicken breasts are not perfectly symmetrical brick-shaped objects, like a block of tofu, and therefore, even identical slices are not a possibility. However, when I get a package of bits and pieces that have no commonality, it’s not what I’m looking for when I’ve splurged and bought those thin-sliced breasts.
A handful of supporting ingredients turn a couple of handfuls of arugula into an amazing pan sauce.
So, all of this is by way of saying, see if you can check out the cutlets you’re buying, either because the slices are clearly visible in the package or you have a nice butcher counter to shop at. Maybe ask the butcher to slice some for you and explain that symmetry is your goal. Or slice them yourself which takes a big sharp knife a steady hand, and a little practice.
How to Make Thin-Sliced Chicken Cutlets
Rest one hand on the top of the chicken breast to hold it steady, and carefully slice the chicken breast horizontally. Each chicken breast will yield between 2 and 4 slices, depending on how thick it is. Slice carefully but decisively. You need a good, sharp knife for this to work.
How to Make a Pan Sauce for Chicken
Now, the pan sauce! A bit of shallot, sautéed in the pan, is used to sear the chicken. A glug of white wine, a splash of chicken broth, some Dijon, and roughly chopped arugula to wilt right into the sauce. A sploosh of cream, a pat of butter. Done and done, as my Grandma used to say! (No, she never said that, but it would have been great if she had).
What to do with the rest of that bottle of wine, what to do…..
Hey, this recipe was featured on PureWow, along with 4 other busy bloggers’ favorite fast weeknight dinners….check it out!
More Simple Chicken and Pan Sauce Recipes
- Chicken with White Wine, Leek, Spinach, and Arugula Pan Sauce
- Chicken Francese
- Sheet Pan Chicken and Potatoes
- Chicken Paprikash
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Chicken with Arugula and Mustard Pan Sauce
Ingredients
- 8 (4-ounce) thin-sliced chicken cutlets (see cutlet diatribe above)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large minced shallot
- ½ cup dry white wine
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 cup roughly chopped arugula
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sauté until done, about 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken breasts to a plate and set aside. Do not wipe out the skillet!
- Add the shallot to the skillet and sauté over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes until tender. Add the white wine and stir to scrape up all the little flavorful bits that may be stuck to the bottom of the skillet. Simmer for about 2 minutes until the wine reduces by half. Add in the broth, and return to a simmer, stirring occasionally for another 4 minutes until the mixture reduces slightly. Add the mustard, arugula, cream, and butter, and stir until the butter is melted and the arugula is wilted.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken breasts.
I had fresh arugula picked from my garden and saw your recipe and had to try it. Didnโt think I was a fan of my arugula until I tried this recipe. Had to make some substitutions since I didnโt have the wine, cream, or Dijon mustard. I used pineapple juice, whole milk, and brown mustard with horseradish respectively. Surprisingly turned out quite tasty so I had to share. Pared with baked red potatoes, and drizzled them and the chicken with the delicious sauce. Thank you for sharing your recipe. Will make again, quick and easy.
My whole family loved this! I served it over some pasta and made some homemade focaccia to go on the side and my goodness! This recipe is one for the books!
This was really yummy and easy, but I recommend adding about 5 times as much arugula as the recipe says but you do need to reduce the sauce a bit longer since the arugula let’s out liquid.
This recipe was delicious!!! I paired it with spaghetti pasta with a touch of butter…. and it was great!
Wow. Delicious! Being single I tried to cut the recipe by 4. Note to self, even if I only use 2 chicken breast filets, only half everything else.
Delicious and very easy to make. I made it exactly as written minus cream. I didn’t have any cream, but it was still delicious!