Light and tender Poached Chicken Breasts in Mint Sauce bring a refreshing taste of summer, ideal for warm lunches or easy outdoor gatherings.
This is a very fresh recipe, perfect for a summer lunch. The first time I had it was in Sicily, during one of those bright, hot days when meals are light and full of flavour.
My aunt Daniela made it, and I remember being so impressed by the vivid green colour and the delicate mint sauce that made the chicken taste so refreshing.
If you happen to have any leftovers (though it rarely happens), they’re wonderful for filling sandwiches.
It’s one of those dishes that tastes even better the following day, making it ideal for a picnic or an easy make-ahead meal. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
What You’ll Enjoy About This Chicken with Mint Sauce
- Fresh mint gives the sauce a cool, clean taste that stands out from heavier dressings.
- Perfect to serve cold for picnics or casual lunches when you want something easy and fresh.
- Leftovers stay tender and can easily be turned into wraps or filled rolls the following day.
Key Ingredients for Poached Chicken Breasts
Fresh Mint Leaves
Essential for both the poaching liquid and the sauce, fresh mint gives the dish its clean, refreshing flavour and vibrant green colour. It’s what makes this recipe distinctly Sicilian.
Mayonnaise
The base of the mint sauce, it binds everything together into a smooth, creamy dressing. Using a good-quality mayonnaise gives a balanced texture that coats the chicken evenly.
Lemon Juice
Adds acidity and brightness that cut through the richness of the mayonnaise. It also helps keep the mint sauce fresh in flavour and colour.
Find the complete list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Poached Chicken Breasts in Mint Sauce
Step 1: Poach the chicken by placing the breast fillets in a pot large enough to hold them in a single layer. Add water until it covers them by a couple of centimetres. Add salt, peppercorns, a slice of lemon, and a few mint leaves.
Step 2: Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for about 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and cover the pot. Let the chicken sit in the warm water for another 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and leave to cool. Slice the chicken and set aside.
Step 3: While the chicken cools, make the mint sauce. Combine the mint leaves, salt, olive oil, and lemon juice in a blender or food processor. Blend into a smooth paste.
Step 4: Stir the mint paste into the mayonnaise until smooth and creamy.
Step 5: Add the sliced chicken to the mint mayonnaise and mix until evenly coated. Refrigerate overnight before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Thighs give a richer, slightly darker flavour and stay moist after poaching. They take a few extra minutes to cook, so check that the thickest part is opaque before cooling.
Yes. The sauce can be blended a day before serving and kept covered in the fridge. Stir well before mixing it with the chicken to bring back its smooth, creamy texture.
Pierce the thickest part of a fillet. The juices should run clear and the meat should be white throughout, or check with a meat thermometer — it should read 74 °C – 165 °F.
Serve cold or at room temperature with simple sides like a tomato and mint salad or steamed potatoes drizzled with olive oil and lemon. The clean, light flavours pair well with fresh vegetables or bread.
Extra Help from the Kitchen
Choose Similar-Sized Fillets – Selecting chicken breasts of similar thickness allows them to cook evenly and stay consistently tender. If some are larger, slice them lengthwise before poaching so they finish at the same time.
Cool Before Mixing with Sauce – Letting the chicken cool completely before combining it with the mint mayonnaise keeps the sauce smooth and stable. Adding it too early can cause the dressing to separate or lose its creamy texture.
Dry the Chicken Lightly – Once cooled, pat the chicken slices with a paper towel to remove any surface moisture. This helps the sauce adhere better and keeps the dish from becoming watery after chilling.
Stir Before Serving – Give the chicken and sauce a quick mix before plating to bring back the creamy texture after refrigeration.
Variations and Twists
Add Parsley for Depth – Blend a handful of parsley with the mint for a deeper green colour and a slightly sharper flavour.
Use Greek Yoghurt – Replace half of the mayonnaise with thick Greek yoghurt for a lighter, tangier sauce that keeps the same creamy texture.
Add Garlic – Blend half a clove of garlic with the mint to give the sauce a gentle savoury lift and extra depth of flavour.
Try Lime Instead of Lemon – Swap the lemon juice for lime for a different citrus note that pairs well with mint.
Serve as a Sandwich Filling – Layer the chilled chicken in bread or rolls with lettuce and tomatoes for an easy summer lunch.
Storage and Shelf Life
Store the chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep it covered to maintain freshness and prevent the sauce from taking on other odours.
The flavour improves after resting overnight, making it a convenient make-ahead option. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Perfect Sides and Pairings
Poached Chicken Breasts in Mint Sauce Recipe
Light and tender Poached Chicken Breasts in Mint Sauce bring a refreshing taste of summer, ideal for warm lunches or easy outdoor gatherings
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 500 g – 1.1 lb chicken breast fillets
- A slice of lemon
- A few mint leaves
- ½ tsp peppercorns
- Salt
- Water – for poaching
For the Mint Sauce
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 big bunch mint leaves
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
-
Poach the chicken by placing the breast fillets in a pot large enough to hold them in a single layer. Add water until it covers them by a couple of centimetres. Add salt, peppercorns, a slice of lemon, and a few mint leaves.
-
Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for about 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and cover the pot. Let the chicken sit in the warm water for another 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and leave to cool. Slice the chicken and set aside.
-
While the chicken cools, make the mint sauce. Combine the mint leaves, salt, olive oil, and lemon juice in a blender or food processor. Blend into a smooth paste.
-
Stir the mint paste into the mayonnaise until smooth and creamy.
-
Add the sliced chicken to the mint mayonnaise and mix until evenly coated. Refrigerate overnight before serving.
Recipe Notes
For the best flavour, serve the poached chicken and mint sauce cold or at room temperature with a tomato and mint salad.
That looks absolutely delicious… I have to make it!
Nice shots Manu…and yummy recipe too! I’ll definitely vote for it and your macarons of course!
Wow, just so fresh and beautiful…perfect summer food 🙂
It looks very Christmasy on the plate! Love the red & green 🙂 Sounds like it tastes incredible as well. Mint is usually reserved for Mijitos here! Nice to see it in a savory dish. Thanks for sharing!
What a gorgeously refreshing dish for summer, Manu. Must try this, thanks!
This is a great dish .. very different ! Most importantly .. i think it will be very refreshing!
This looks great Manu! El pais bajo mi piel is my favorite book by Belli! AND…. brace yourself … I made poached chicken (tofu chicken :D) for lunch today! I poached it in white wine, ground mustard, and tarragon (will be posting next Friday). We’re totally connected! LOL! And I love the spring green color of your mint sauce! Stunning!
I love mint, but I’m always stuck on how to use it more creatively. This is certainly creative! I bet it would be spectacular with other herbs, too.
Sounds delicious, and the colour is fantastic. I never poach chicken and I’m now wondering why!
Wow manu! this chicken looks lovely, nice red and green color oh just looks yummmmm….. and ur snaps are allway good so clean :).
Beautiful photography as always and what a delicious meal!
I’ve never had this or something closely similar, but you’re right, it looks and sounds so refreshing! Must be wonderful for the warm weather…Thanks for sharing this 🙂
Yum! I’ve never heard of anything like this either! I would love to try it.
Manu, this is such a lovely summery dish. I love mint but don’t often think to serve it with chicken. Just off to vote for you. This is a great use of mint indeed.
Oh wow. I started to learn serious Italian homemade cooking ever since I met you. I totally love the experience. I don’t think this kind of dish is offered at a common Italian restaurant you know, at least not in the US. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Yum! This looks like creamy mint pesto sauce which sounds just delicious 😀 And so different too!
I adore mint and have a nice bunch at home. I always love getting new ideas to use it and you totally hit the spot. I love the idea of the poached chicken too. Perfect timing as summer is approaching. I am sure this will become a go-to recipe for us.
This mint sauce is so mouth watering that I have to cook it tonight. I love mint and having such a sauce on chicken, never thought of it. Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe and gorgeous pictures.
Another wonderful recipe. What great flavors going on here. I love using fresh mint!
This looks yummy! I think you are absolutely right it would taste amazing in a sandwich!!
I made this, loved it and posted about it linking to your recipe. Thanks for the idea.
Yum! How did I miss this post back in May? I am bookmarking this right now – what an amazing recipe! Thanks for linking it up to my chicken blog hop last week 😀
This sounds delicious and easy. I love mint in savoury dishes. Thanks for the inspiration!