Description
This honey mustard chicken recipe features a flavorful marinade made from honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and garlic, delivering a perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Whether grilled or baked, the chicken turns out juicy and tender, making it a simple and delicious meal for any weeknight.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breast or chicken thighs
Marinade
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons dijon mustard (grainy preferred)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced or grated
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- Freshly ground salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together honey, dijon mustard, olive oil, minced garlic, cayenne pepper (if using), and freshly ground salt and black pepper until well combined.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken breasts or thighs to the bowl and stir well to coat all pieces evenly with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow the flavors to infuse.
- Grill the chicken: Preheat your grill to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once hot, place the marinated chicken on the grill and close the lid. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes on one side without flipping. Then, flip the chicken once using tongs and cook for an additional 6 to 8 minutes. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; once it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit, remove the chicken from the grill.
- Rest the chicken: Transfer the grilled chicken to a clean plate and cover tightly with foil. Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes to seal in the juices and ensure the meat stays tender and juicy.
- Bake the chicken (alternative method): Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the marinated chicken on it. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside. Use a meat thermometer to confirm an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Serve: Slice or serve the whole chicken and enjoy this sweet, tangy, and moist honey mustard chicken as a main dish.
Notes
- For extra heat, increase the cayenne pepper slightly according to your preference.
- Marinating chicken longer than an hour is fine and will enhance flavor even more.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfectly cooked chicken without drying it out.
- This marinade works well for both chicken breasts and thighs.
- Resting the chicken after cooking is key for juicy results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 227 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 9.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
