What You’ll Need: The Ingredients
Chicken Thighs
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Honey Mustard Sauce
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Sesame seeds
Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Time!
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Make sure your oven rack is in the middle position.
- Lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil. This will prevent the chicken from sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Making the Magic Sauce!
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Make sure everything is well combined to ensure an even flavor distribution.
Marinating the Chicken (Flavor Town, Population: Chicken)
- Place the chicken thighs in the baking dish.
- Pour the honey mustard sauce over the chicken thighs, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Use your hands (or tongs!) to really get the sauce into all the nooks and crannies. Don’t be shy!
Baking to Golden Perfection!
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to be absolutely sure!
- During the last 5 minutes of baking, you can optionally broil the chicken for a minute or two to get a nice, caramelized glaze. Watch it carefully so it doesn’t burn!
Finishing Touches
- Remove the Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in even more tender and flavorful chicken.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and sesame seeds, if desired. These add a pop of color and a little extra flavor.
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Honey Mustard Chicken
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give the chicken thighs enough space in the baking dish. Overcrowding will steam the chicken instead of allowing it to bake properly and get that nice golden-brown crust. Use two baking dishes if necessary.
- Marinating Time: While you *can* bake the chicken immediately after coating it in the sauce, marinating it for at least 30 minutes (or even overnight in the fridge!) will allow the flavors to really penetrate the chicken, resulting in a more flavorful dish.
- Bone-in, Skin-on Chicken Thighs: You can absolutely use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe! Just increase the baking time to 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 175°F (80°C). The skin will get nice and crispy!
- Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the amount of honey. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick!
- Sauce Consistency: If you want a thicker sauce, whisk in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) during the last few minutes of baking.
- Spice it up: For a spicier kick, add a dash of hot sauce to the honey mustard sauce.
- Fresh Herbs: Consider adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the sauce for an extra layer of flavor.
Serving Suggestions: What to Serve with Your Chicken
Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs are incredibly versatile and pair well with a variety of sides. Here are a few of my favorites:- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted broccoli, carrots, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus are all great choices. Toss them with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast them alongside the chicken for an easy and complete meal.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are the perfect comfort food to serve with this chicken. You can even drizzle some of the honey mustard sauce over the potatoes!
- Rice: White rice, brown rice, or quinoa are all excellent options for soaking up the delicious sauce.
- Salad: A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a nice contrast to the richness of the chicken.
- Garlic Bread: Nothing beats a slice of warm garlic bread to mop up every last bit of that amazing honey mustard sauce.
Variations to Keep Things Interesting
- Honey Mustard Chicken and Veggies: Add chopped vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and zucchini to the baking dish along with the chicken. They’ll cook in the sauce and become tender and flavorful.
- Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken: This recipe also works great on the grill! Marinate the chicken and then grill over medium heat until cooked through, basting with the sauce during the last few minutes.
- Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken: For a super easy weeknight meal, try making this in your slow cooker. Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker, pour the sauce over them, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Other Delicious Chicken Recipes You Might Enjoy
If you loved these Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs, you might also enjoy these other flavorful chicken recipes. Have you tried Skillet Cranberry Orange Chicken for a festive twist? Or perhaps the Honey Pepper Chicken Irresistible? The Honey Garlic Chicken is another quick and easy favorite, and the Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts are always a crowd-pleaser. Don’t forget the Honey Garlic Chicken Perfection or even the Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs for an easy set-and-forget meal!Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Storage: Store leftover Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the chicken in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, or in the microwave. You can also reheat it in a skillet over medium heat with a little bit of oil or water.
Final Thoughts: Enjoy Your Delicious Chicken!
These Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs are seriously one of the easiest and most flavorful chicken recipes you’ll ever make. From the tangy honey mustard glaze to the juicy, tender chicken, every bite is a burst of deliciousness. So go ahead, give this recipe a try – I know you’re going to love it! Happy cooking, my friend!Can I use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe?
Yes, you can absolutely use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs! Just increase the baking time to 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 175°F (80°C). The skin will get nice and crispy!
How long can I store leftover honey mustard chicken?
You can store leftover Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
What are some good side dishes to serve with this chicken?
This chicken pairs well with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, rice, salad, or garlic bread.
How can I make the honey mustard sauce thicker?
If you want a thicker sauce, whisk in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) during the last few minutes of baking.
Perfect Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs
These Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs are an easy and flavorful weeknight meal. The chicken is coated in a sweet and tangy honey mustard sauce and baked to golden perfection, resulting in juicy and tender meat that everyone will love.
Equipment
- Oven
- baking dish
- Medium bowl
- Whisk
- Cooking spray or olive oil
- Meat thermometer
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped optional
- Sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the oven rack in the middle position.
- Lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Place the chicken thighs in the baking dish.
- Pour the honey mustard sauce over the chicken thighs, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- During the last 5 minutes of baking, optionally broil the chicken for a minute or two to get a nice, caramelized glaze. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Remove the Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and sesame seeds, if desired.
Notes
Don’t overcrowd the pan. Marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes will enhance the flavor. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs can be used, but increase the baking time. Adjust the sweetness by reducing the amount of honey. For a thicker sauce, whisk in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) during the last few minutes of baking. For a spicier kick, add a dash of hot sauce. Consider adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven, microwave, or skillet.
