Mustard Basil Chicken

Marinate the chicken pieces with 1 ½ tablespoons of the mustard and the shredded basil. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours, but overnight is ideal.

Preheat your oven to 180°C.

In a large oven-safe pan, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken in two batches until the skin is deep golden, then remove and set aside.

To the same pan, add the turkey bacon, shallots, and garlic, and cook until just starting to colour. Sprinkle in the flour and stir well to combine. Pour in the chicken stock and the remaining tablespoon of wholegrain mustard, stirring continuously for about 5 minutes until the sauce is smooth.

Return the chicken to the pan or transfer to an oven dish and bake in the oven for about 50 minutes.

Finish the dish on the stove by adding the cream to the sauce and letting it reduce slightly. Serve garnished with basil. 

A FEW THINGS YOU’LL WANT TO KNOW

Can I marinate the chicken overnight? Yes — and that's actually the way I'd recommend it. The longer the chicken sits in the mustard and tarragon, the more flavour it absorbs. Pop it in the fridge the night before and you're already ahead when it comes to cooking.

Can I use a whole chicken I've cut myself rather than asking the butcher? Absolutely. Just aim for even-sized pieces so everything cooks at the same rate. That said, asking your butcher to cut it into eighths is one of those small things that genuinely makes the recipe easier — worth the ask.

I can't find shallots — can I substitute? Shallots have a sweeter, more delicate flavour than brown onions, but if you can't find them, half a small brown onion finely chopped will do the job. The flavour will be slightly more robust, but it still works well in the sauce.

Can I use regular bacon instead of turkey bacon?
Yes, completely interchangeable. I personally don't eat or cook with bacon, which is why I use turkey bacon — but either works

What's the best way to serve this? Steamed rice is a simple, classic pairing that lets the sauce shine. If you're entertaining, a loaf of Cheesy Garlic Bread alongside it is the move — it's made for mopping up every last bit of that creamy mustard sauce.