Easy Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe | Sticky & Sweet Perfection

Name: Honey Mustard Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 1/3 cup honey; 1/4 cup Dijon mustard; 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon salt (for glaze); 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (for glaze); 2 pounds chicken thighs or drumsticks (bone in, skin on); 1 teaspoon salt (for chicken); 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (for chicken); 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

When Max declared that chicken was "boring and always dry," I knew I needed something with enough sticky, sweet glaze to make him completely forget his anti chicken phase. Enter this game changing honey mustard chicken that emerged from my kitchen on a Wednesday evening when I combined pantry staples into something so finger licking good that everyone at the table went silent except for happy eating noises. The balance of sweet honey, tangy mustard, and savory chicken creates a glaze so irresistible that it turns ordinary chicken pieces into the dish everyone fights over at dinner.

Sticky honey mustard chicken with caramelized sweet and tangy glaze baked to perfection. Easy weeknight dinner ready in 45 minutes with finger licking results.

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Sticky honey mustard chicken wings coated in a thick, glossy glaze, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and served on a white plate with a ramekin of dipping sauce in the background.

What is Honey Mustard Chicken

Honey mustard chicken is a flavorful dish featuring chicken pieces coated in a sticky sweet and tangy glaze made from honey, mustard, and seasonings that caramelizes during cooking to create a glossy, finger licking coating. Unlike plain grilled chicken that can taste bland, this baked honey mustard chicken develops layers of flavor as the glaze reduces and intensifies, creating those beautiful golden brown edges that everyone reaches for first. The result is tender, juicy chicken with a perfectly balanced sauce that's sweet enough to please kids but sophisticated enough to impress dinner guests.

How To Make The Best Honey Mustard Chicken

Our easy honey mustard chicken recipe uses the perfect ratio of honey to mustard with just enough acid to balance the sweetness while ensuring the glaze sticks to every piece of chicken. The secret lies in marinating the chicken briefly to infuse flavor, then baking at high heat to caramelize the glaze without drying out the meat, creating that restaurant quality sticky coating everyone craves.

Honey Mustard Chicken Ingredients

For the Honey Mustard Glaze:

⅓ cup honey
¼ cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the Chicken:

2 pounds chicken thighs or drumsticks, bone in and skin on
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Fresh parsley for garnish

Fresh honey mustard chicken ingredients arranged on white counter including chicken and sauce components.

Step by Step Method

Create Perfect Honey Mustard Glaze

Whisk honey, both mustards, olive oil, and vinegar in medium bowl until smooth
Add minced garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper to honey mixture
Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are completely incorporated
Reserve half of glaze for basting during cooking

Prepare Chicken for Maximum Flavor

Pat chicken pieces completely dry with paper towels for better browning
Season chicken all over with salt, pepper, and garlic powder
Place chicken in large bowl and pour half of glaze over pieces
Toss to coat evenly and marinate 30 minutes at room temperature

Bake to Sticky Perfection

Preheat oven to 425°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper
Arrange marinated chicken pieces skin side up on prepared sheet
Bake 25 minutes, then brush with reserved glaze generously
Continue baking 15 to 20 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature

Finish with Caramelized Glaze

Remove chicken from oven and brush with remaining glaze immediately
Let rest 5 minutes for juices to redistribute throughout meat
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for color and freshness
Serve hot while glaze is still sticky and glistening

Max's reaction: "This is the opposite of boring chicken! It's sticky and sweet but also kind of spicy and I can't stop eating it even though my plate is already empty!"

What Pairs Well With Honey Mustard Chicken?

This sticky honey mustard chicken pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or rice pilaf that soaks up the extra glaze. The sweet and tangy flavors complement green beans, roasted Brussels sprouts, or steamed broccoli perfectly. For complete meals, serve alongside garlic bread, Caesar salad, or sweet potato fries that balance the richness of the glazed chicken.

Honey Mustard Chicken Variations

Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken

Add ½ cup heavy cream to glaze after baking and simmer in skillet until thickened. Pour cream sauce over chicken for extra rich coating. Perfect for special occasions and comfort food cravings.

Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken

Cook marinated chicken in air fryer at 380°F for 20 minutes, brushing with glaze halfway through. Results in extra crispy skin with caramelized sticky coating using less time.

Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs with Vegetables

Add baby potatoes, carrots, and onions to baking sheet around chicken. Everything roasts together in honey mustard glaze for complete one pan dinner.

Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken

Marinate chicken overnight and grill over medium heat, basting frequently with reserved glaze. Smoke and char add incredible flavor dimension to sweet tangy coating.

Equipment You'll Need

Large baking sheet with parchment paper
Mixing bowls for glaze and marinating
Whisk for combining glaze ingredients
Basting brush for applying glaze during cooking
Instant read thermometer for checking doneness

Pro tip: Use bone in, skin on chicken pieces for the juiciest results as bones add flavor and skin protects meat from drying out.

Storage Tips

Best Fresh

Serve immediately after baking for the best sticky glaze texture and optimal flavor. Fresh honey mustard chicken has the most appealing glossy coating and tender meat.

Leftover Solutions

Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in 350°F oven for 10 minutes to restore glaze texture. Avoid microwave which makes coating soggy.

Make Ahead Strategy

Marinate chicken overnight for deeper flavor penetration. Prepare glaze up to 3 days ahead and store refrigerated. Cook fresh for best texture results.

Top Tips for Best Results

Use bone in, skin on chicken for maximum juiciness and flavor
Don't skip marinating time as it allows flavors to penetrate the meat
Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning for better glaze adhesion
Bake at high temperature to caramelize glaze without drying chicken
Brush with glaze multiple times during cooking for thick sticky coating
Let chicken rest after baking to allow juices to redistribute
Use instant read thermometer to ensure perfect doneness every time

Frequently Asked Questions

What goes in honey mustard chicken?

The basic honey mustard chicken glaze contains honey for sweetness, Dijon and whole grain mustard for tanginess, olive oil for richness, vinegar for balance, and garlic and seasonings for depth. These ingredients create the perfect sweet and tangy coating.

Can I marinate chicken in honey mustard?

Absolutely! Marinating chicken in honey mustard glaze for 30 minutes to overnight allows the flavors to penetrate the meat deeply while the acid in mustard and vinegar helps tenderize the chicken for incredibly juicy results.

What are the three ingredients in honey mustard for chicken?

The three essential ingredients are honey for sweetness, mustard (Dijon or whole grain) for tanginess, and an acid like vinegar or lemon juice to balance the sweetness and create a well rounded flavor profile.

What meat is good with honey mustard?

Honey mustard works beautifully with chicken, pork chops, salmon, shrimp, and even beef. The sweet and tangy profile complements proteins that benefit from caramelization and pairs especially well with naturally mild flavored meats.

Your New Weeknight Winner

This honey mustard chicken recipe proves that the most crave worthy dinners come from simple ingredients combined in just the right way. The sticky sweet glaze transforms ordinary chicken into something extraordinary while being easy enough for busy weeknights and impressive enough for special occasions when you want to serve something everyone will remember.

Ready for more glazed favorites? Try our Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers for herb crusted perfection, or explore our Tauhu Recipe for authentic Asian tofu that pairs beautifully with rice. For those who love sweet and savory combinations, our Sweet Chili Chicken delivers similar sticky satisfaction with spicy heat that complements this honey mustard chicken perfectly.

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