Baked Honey Mustard Chicken

Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe

Some nights I am craving a good ole’ fashioned baked chicken breast. I don’t want the fuss of having to follow a complicated recipe.

Cleanup needs to take less than 5 minutes. (Which is always easier when it’s baked in a casserole dish!) And it’s a bonus if I can meal prep it ahead of time!

While Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken and Honey Balsamic Chicken taste incredible, a new kid in town has recently stolen my heart…. 

This Baked Honey Mustard Chicken recipe!

(Imagine baked chicken and honey mustard dressing had a delicious food baby.) 

It’s the juiciest, most tender, and mouthwatering, baked chicken recipe with so much flavor.

Maybe even ever. <– Bold statement, I know.

But seriously, I would serve this up to the most culinary-advanced of relatives and watch as their mouths drop and their eyes pop. It’s become an instant family favorite—especially when everyone learns how easy it is to make these honey mustard baked chicken breasts at home! 

Ingredients

The simple ingredients you need for this delicious honey mustard chicken recipe include:

• Chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are used. Or, you can opt for chicken tenders. You can also go for boneless skinless chicken thighs, but you will need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. 
• Mustard. Dijon mustard is the preferred type but yellow mustard or spicy brown may be substituted. Avoid whole grain mustard for the best texture.
• Honey. An equal 1:1 ratio of honey to mustard balances the sweetness and tanginess.
• Thyme. Fresh thyme adds an herbal richness to the sauce and pairs beautifully with the mustard. You can also use ¼ teaspoon of dried thyme.
• Garlic. A fresh garlic clove is used, but garlic powder may also be substituted. (Wondering, what is a clove of garlic? This post has you covered.)
• Worcestershire. This secret ingredient adds a special umami flavor that balances out the sweetness of the honey.
• Paprika. This ground spice adds a brilliant pop of color and a subtle smokiness to the dish.
• Salt and Pepper. Adjust these to your taste preference.

How to Make Baked Honey Mustard Chicken?

Below you will find the steps to make the best honey mustard chicken at home.

Prep the Chicken

Once you get the general steps down for baking this honey mustard chicken in the oven, you will be able to repeat this process for any other chicken and marinade combination!

You want to pound the chicken pieces thin so they cook quickly and evenly.

Wrap the chicken in plastic wrap or a zipper bag. Use a meat mallet to pound 4- to 5-ounce portions until they’re about 1-inch thick.

Make the Sauce 

Once the chicken is ready, it’s time to whip up the honey mustard marinade. Whisk mustard, honey, oil, Worcestershire, thyme, garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika in a large bowl until smooth.

Reserve 2 tablespoons of the honey mustard sauce. DON’T FORGET THIS STEP!

Marinade the Chicken

Place chicken into the bowl with the homemade honey mustard sauce. Toss until it is well-coated.

Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes, or up to overnight.  

You can transfer it to a gallon-sized Ziploc bag for easier storage.

Bake in the Oven

Preheat the oven to 375℉. 

Place chicken breasts in a 9-inch square baking dish that has been lightly coated with non-stick cooking spray.

Bake chicken in preheated 375℉ oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees on a meat thermometer. The cooking time will vary depending on how thick the chicken is. (Here’s more on the internal temperature of chicken when it’s done.)

It will increase by 5-10 degrees once removed from the oven, reaching a final temperature of 165℉.

Brush the top of the chicken with the reserved honey mustard sauce.

Meal Prep and Storage

• How to prep ahead of time: If preparing this more than 24 hours in advance, store the chicken and marinade separately. You can prepare the simple marinade and chicken up to 3 days in advance. If preparing less than 24 hours before cooking, toss the chicken in the sauce.
• How to store: Store leftover honey mustard chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• How to freeze: This dish freezes exceptionally well. Simply store it and any excess sauce in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag for up to 4-6 months.
• How to reheat: When ready to eat, let thaw in the refrigerator and then reheat in a 300℉ oven.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Pound it out. Using a meat mallet, pound your chicken breasts until they reach about 1-inch thick.  Not only does this make them a similar thickness (which helps with even cooking!), but the forceful impact helps break apart the fibers and tenderizes the meat.
• Use protection. Pounding chicken gets a little messy, so put the meat in a bag or wrap in plastic to contain juice splatter.
• Marinate the meat. A tasty marinade that has a bit of acidity in it will also help to denature the proteins in the meat and break apart sinewy fibers.
• Save a little. Reserve a couple tablespoons of the marinade before adding the meat to top the chicken after cooking.
• Don’t overcook it. Pulling the chicken breasts out of the oven at precisely the right time is critical to getting perfectly cooked, and not overdone, meat.  

What to Serve with Honey Mustard Chicken?

This easy chicken recipe is the perfect main dish for a healthy weeknight meal. Throw in your favorite sides, like any of these, and you’re good to go.

Air Fryer Okra and Air Fryer Green Beans are surprisingly quick and easy.

Whip up some Cauliflower Potato Salad or Greek Cucumber Salad for a low-carb option.

It tastes great when paired with Lemon Garlic Roasted Asparagus, Sautéed Zucchini and Squash, or Instant Pot Mashed Red Potatoes.

Other Baked Chicken Breast Recipes

Chicken is not only good for you, it is also super versatile. Try any of these recipes next.

Both Fiesta Lime Chicken and Caprese Chicken are perfect when you’re craving something out of the ordinary.

Balsamic Glazed Chicken and Baked Lemon Garlic Chicken are easy and delicious.

Hot Honey Chicken has a little bit of spice.

Look no further than Sheet Pan Thai Peanut Sauce Chicken or Oven-Baked Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas for super simple meals.