Easy Honey Mustard Chicken

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Easy Honey Mustard Chicken is ideal for a quick dinner since they are healthy, made on one sheet pan, and ready in 25 minutes.

0 CAL 0g CARBS 0g FAT 0g PROTEIN 4
2 Comments

Honey Mustard Chicken make the best weeknight dinner with virtually no clean up since everything is cooked on one sheet pan. Plus the homemade honey mustard sauce made with honey, olive oil, garlic, whole grain mustard, and thyme couldn't be more delicious. Serve it with some Baked Crispy Broccoli or quinoa.

In my opinion, it's hard to beat anything that is covered in honey mustard. The sweet and savory combo is hard to beat and ever since I was a kid, I have loved it. However, the traditional version is normally packed with tons of extra sugar and mayonnaise. And although it tastes delicious, it's definitely not the best option when you are trying to eat healthily. Luckily with just a few changes, you can make this delicious updated honey mustard chicken packed with all the same flavors and ready on your table in less than 30 minutes.

Ingredients for a meal: chicken thighs, carrots, olive oil, ginger, soy sauce, spices, and salt on a light marble surface.

And to make things incredibly easy, this is a sheet pan dinner. All you have to do is whip together the sauce and add everything to a sheet pan. Cover the chicken and baby carrots in the sauce and into the oven it goes. It couldn't be easier. Then after 20-25 minutes, dinner is ready. Usually, I make some steamed rice, baked potatoes, or a large green salad to serve on the side and its a dinner everyone loves.

Tips for Making Honey Mustard Chicken

  • I recommend covering your baking sheet is foil before making this dish since some of the extra honey can burn during cooking. Although this is easy to clean on most baking sheets, there is literally no clean up if you cover your baking sheet in foil first.
  • You can easily switch out the veggies in this recipe depending on what you have on hand. For slow cooking veggies like parsnips, butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, or diced sweet potatoes, you can just swap them in for the carrots. For quicker cooking veggies like green beans, zucchini, summer squash, or broccoli, add them with 10-12 minutes left so that they don't overcook.
  • It's easy to switch out the spices in this recipe or leave them out completely if your family isn't a big fan. Rosemary or oregano are both good options if thyme isn't your favorite spice.

A tray of roasted chicken thighs with glazed carrots, garnished with herbs, accompanied by a small bowl of sauce.

How to make honey mustard sauce for chicken?

There are lots of variations when it comes to honey mustard sauces, but this basic sauce will work for all kinds of baked chicken dishes. It's also great to serve on the side as a dipping sauce. Here's a basic recipe with a few ideas for how to switch it up. 

  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp whole grain mustard (more to taste)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 tsp thyme (sub rosemary or oregano)
  • Make it creamy: add Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise, or sour cream

What to serve with honey mustard chicken?

Since there is a lot of sweetness in the chicken, I like to serve it with some nice roasted vegetables or a grain that can soak up some of the extra honey mustard sauce. Here are some favorites:

  • Roasted parmesan cauliflower makes a great side dish option and adds some extra veggies and nutrients.
  • I love to add some greens to this dish with a simple green salad. You can drizzle it with extra honey mustard sauce or use a homemade healthy ranch.
  • For some simple, you can add a simple baked potato or sweet potato.
  • Create a delicious bowl with some cooked brown rice or quinoa, plenty of chicken and carrots, and an extra drizzle of honey mustard.

A golden spatula lifts tender chicken thighs surrounded by roasted carrots from a seasoned baking dish.

Can I use chicken breasts for honey mustard chicken?

This recipe works with chicken breasts as well. To make sure they are cooked through in the same amount of time, you may need to butterfly large chicken breasts since they will take longer than 25 minutes. You could also use chicken breast tenderloins, but make sure to check them after 20 minutes to make sure they don't overcook.

What's the best mustard to use?

Personally, I like to use whole grain mustard when making honey mustard sauce. If you don't have whole grain mustard, you can use Dijon mustard. Plain yellow mustard will also work, but I find it doesn't add as much flavor. You may need to use more than the one tablespoon used in the recipe.

Can I use different vegetables? Can I add potatoes?

You can definitely switch up the vegetables in this recipe, but you need to be cognizant of the time they take to cook. Some veggies that make great substitutions without needing to adjust the cooking time include cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, or cabbage. For quicker cooking vegetables, like green beans, snap peas, or broccoli - you need to add them to the sheet pan in the last 10-15 minutes of cooking.

Looking for other one pan chicken recipes?

Frequently Asked Questions

Here's what people ask about this recipe:

Yes! Just butterfly large chicken breasts or use tenderloins to ensure even cooking in 20–25 minutes. Keep an eye on them so they don’t dry out.

 

Whole grain mustard adds the most depth, but Dijon is a great substitute. You can use yellow mustard, but the flavor will be milder and less complex.

 

Absolutely! For heartier vegetables like Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, or sweet potatoes, add them at the start. For faster-cooking veggies like green beans or broccoli, toss them in for the last 10–12 minutes.

 

Close-up of juicy honey mustard chicken thighs and tender roasted carrots, glistening with sauce and sprinkled with herbs on a parchment-lined baking pan.
The Recipe
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Easy Honey Mustard Chicken

0 CAL 0g CARBS 0g FAT 0g PROTEIN 4
PREP TIME: 5 Min
COOK TIME: 20 Min
TOTAL TIME: 25 Min
2 Comments
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 1.33 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp whole grain mustard
  • 1/2 tsp thyme (sub rosemary or oregano)
  • 3 cups baby carrots
  • Salt and pepper
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

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1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Stir together the honey, olive oil, garlic, mustard, and thyme.

2

Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and cover it in foil for easier clean up. Place the chicken thighs on a baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Brush with about half the honey mustard mixture.

3

Spread the baby carrots on the baking sheet. Drizzle with remaining honey mustard and use your hands to mix and coat.

4

Bake for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Shake the pan once during cooking.

Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 6 oz. and 3/4 cup baby carrots
Amount Per Serving
Calories 0
Calories from Fat 0
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0g
0%
Saturated Fat 0g
0%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 0mg
0%
Total Carbohydrate 0g
0%
Dietary Fiber 0g
0%
Sugars 0g
Protein 0g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
2 Comments
On Easy Honey Mustard Chicken
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Barbie
October 30, 2022 - 14:11
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5
The Honey Mustard marinade/sauce is terrific! It is addicting! Love this recipe as does the family! Thank you Kristen. Chicken thighs have been my favorite also for their juicy tenderness and versatility. Looking forward to trying out some of the other variations. Thank you!
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Molly Lea Maguire
February 20, 2019 - 16:03
Add a Rating:
5
Fabulous recipe for mid-week rush!! I baked 4 chicken thighs and stove topped a veggie. The chicken is super juicy and tender!
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