Skip to content

Meat, Northern, Eastern and Western France

Chicken Gaston Gérard with rice

Chicken Gaston Gérard is a Dijon recipe made of chicken simmered in a mustard, cream and white wine sauce, topped with melted comté, served with rice. For 4 people, it takes 65 minutes and is rated easy, at a cost of €3.40 per person. The key to success is a short time under the broiler, just enough to melt the comté without drying out the sauce.

A specialty from Dijon, chicken Gaston Gérard, with its mustard, cream and comté gratin sauce, served with rice.

Chicken Gaston Gérard with rice
Total time
1 h 05
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.40
Calories per person
700 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall, Spring
The kids
They generally like it

This dish pairs the bite of Dijon mustard with the smoothness of cream, while the chicken simmers slowly until tender. The melted comté crust on top adds a rich touch that feels different from a classic roast chicken, without any extra effort in the kitchen.

It's a great recipe for a family Sunday or a slightly more special weeknight dinner. Kids usually love the gratin topping, and the sauce is perfect soaked up by the rice. It's a comforting dish for the cooler days of fall, winter or spring.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Free range chicken, cut into pieces 1.4 kg

Dairy

  • Grated comté 120 g
  • Heavy cream 25 ml
  • Butter 30 g

Pantry

  • Dijon mustardoften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Dry white wineoften in the pantry 15 ml
  • Riceoften in the pantry 300 g
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Shallots 2

Allergens Lactose, Mustard

The step by step recipe

  1. Brown the chicken in the butter on all sides, then set aside. 12 min

    Brown it well for nice crispy skin.

  2. Cook the shallots, then deglaze with the white wine.

    Let the alcohol cook off before continuing.

  3. Put the chicken back in, cover and cook over low heat. 30 min

    Low heat keeps the meat juicy.

  4. Mix the cream and mustard, pour over the chicken with half the comté and let it simmer. 5 min

    Taste the mustard, it should add kick without being sharp.

  5. Cook the rice, sprinkle the chicken with the remaining comté, broil and serve. 11 min

    Broil on the middle rack so the cheese melts without burning.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick an aged comté, it gives more character to the gratin crust than a younger one.
  • If the sauce looks too thin before broiling, let it simmer uncovered a few more minutes to thicken it.
  • Use a pot that goes from stovetop to broiler, so you don't have to transfer the chicken and its sauce.

The variations

  • Swap the comté for emmental or gruyère if that's what you have, the flavor will be a bit milder.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with white mushrooms and tender potatoes cooked in the same sauce.
  • For kids in a hurry, serve the mustard and comté sauce over pasta instead of rice, it's a fun change and just as satisfying.

What to serve it with

  • Plain white rice
  • Green salad with vinaigrette
  • A glass of white Burgundy

Storage

Chicken Gaston Gérard keeps 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well without the rice, in its sauce, for up to 2 months. Reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the oven so the sauce doesn't split.

Questions about this dish

Can you make chicken Gaston Gérard ahead of time?

Yes, you can cook the chicken in its sauce the day before and keep it in the fridge. Just reheat gently and add the comté and broil right before serving.

What mustard should you use for this recipe?

Classic Dijon mustard is the right choice, since it's actually where this dish gets its name. Avoid grainy mustard, it would change the smooth texture of the sauce.

Can you substitute the heavy cream?

You can use regular heavy cream instead of crème fraîche, but the sauce will be slightly less rich. Crème fraîche holds up better under the broiler.

Does chicken Gaston Gérard freeze well?

Yes, you can freeze the chicken in its sauce for up to 2 months, without the rice. Thaw it in the fridge, reheat gently, then add fresh comté before broiling.

How long does it take to make a chicken Gaston Gérard with rice?

Count 1 h 05 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a chicken Gaston Gérard with rice?

About 700 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a chicken Gaston Gérard with rice cost?

About €3.40 per serving, or €13.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose, mustard. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

Cuisine from Northern, Eastern and Western France

See all

Recipes with cream

See all