Description
Elegant yet easy, these Juicy Lamb Chops with Mustard Thyme Sauce are a restaurant-quality dinner ready in under 30 minutes. Seared lamb loin chops are paired with a creamy mustard-thyme pan sauce for a gourmet but approachable meal—perfect for special occasions, holiday meals, or cozy date nights.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Lamb Chops:
- 4 lamb loin chops (about 1-inch thick)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried)
For the Mustard Thyme Sauce:
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or beef broth for deeper flavor)
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional garnish: Extra thyme sprigs or a drizzle of olive oil.
Instructions
- Prep the lamb: Pat chops dry, then season with salt, pepper, thyme, and minced garlic.
- Sear: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Sear chops 3–4 minutes per side until browned and medium-rare (135°F/57°C). Rest under foil.
- Make sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat. Add broth and deglaze, scraping browned bits. Stir in mustard, cream, thyme, and Worcestershire. Simmer 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Finish: Return chops to pan or serve on plates topped with sauce. Garnish with thyme sprigs.
Notes
- Resting: Always let lamb rest after searing to keep juices locked in.
- Fresh herbs: Thyme or rosemary elevate flavor dramatically.
- Deglaze: Don’t skip scraping up browned bits—they add depth to the sauce.
- Cook temp: Rare 125°F, Medium-rare 135°F, Medium 145°F.
- Variations: Use rosemary or sage instead of thyme, whole grain mustard for texture, or balsamic vinegar for depth.
- Dairy-free: Sub coconut cream and non-dairy broth for a creamy sauce.
- Serving ideas: Pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, green beans, couscous, or crusty bread.
- Storage: Refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat gently in skillet with lid; warm sauce separately.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-Seared
- Cuisine: French
Keywords: Lamb Chops with Mustard Thyme Sauce, lamb loin chop recipes, mustard thyme sauce, pan-seared lamb chops, gourmet lamb dinner, special occasion lamb recipe, easy lamb recipes