Easy Baked Honey Dijon Chicken Recipe

Crispy Baked Honey Dijon Chicken Recipe That Dazzles Everyone

Crafting a mouthwatering easy baked honey Dijon chicken recipe promises an adventure in delightful home cooking.

Zesty flavors dance across tender chicken pieces with surprising elegance.

Smooth honey and tangy mustard create a magical glaze that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Weeknight dinners demand quick, delicious solutions that spark excitement around the table.

Professional chefs know spectacular meals can emerge from minimal effort and smart techniques.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of sweet and sharp notes that will make everyone ask for seconds.

You’ll love how simple ingredients combine to create restaurant-quality results in your own kitchen.

Why You’ll Love Baked Honey Dijon Chicken

  • Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe perfect for home cooks of all skill levels, requiring no fancy techniques or complex equipment.
  • Hands-on preparation takes just minutes, with the oven doing most of the work, delivering a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Honey and Dijon mustard create a mouthwatering glaze that transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-quality dish with sweet, tangy, and savory notes.
  • Works wonderfully for family dinners, meal prep, or casual gatherings, pairing beautifully with various sides like roasted vegetables, rice, or salad.

Ingredients for Baked Honey Dijon Chicken

Main Protein:
  • Chicken Thighs or Chicken Breasts: Juicy and tender meat perfect for baking with glaze.
Glaze Components:
  • Dijon Mustard, Honey: Creates a sweet and tangy flavor profile for the chicken.
  • Soy Sauce: Adds depth and umami to the glaze.
  • Olive Oil: Helps distribute flavors and promote even cooking.
Seasoning and Aromatics:
  • Garlic, Dried Thyme: Provides additional flavor and aromatic complexity.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances overall taste and seasonings.
Finishing Touch:
  • Fresh Parsley: Adds color and a fresh herbal note to the dish.

How to Bake Honey Dijon Chicken

How to Bake Honey Dijon Chicken

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F.

Grab a baking dish and give it a quick spray of cooking oil or lay down a sheet of parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Create Magical Glaze

In a mixing bowl, whisk together:
  • Dijon mustard
  • Honey
  • Minced garlic
  • Soy sauce
  • Olive oil
  • Dried thyme
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Blend these ingredients until they form a smooth, glossy coating that will make your chicken sing with flavor.

Step 3: Dress The Chicken

Nestle your chicken pieces into the prepared baking dish.

Pour the honey Dijon mixture over the chicken, massaging it gently to ensure every inch gets a delicious bath of flavor.

Step 4: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven.

Cooking times vary:
  • Bone-in thighs: 35-40 minutes
  • Boneless breasts: 25-30 minutes

You’re aiming for that perfect internal temperature of 165°F – the magic number for safely cooked chicken.

Step 5: Add Golden Glamour

Want that irresistible caramelized finish?

Switch your oven to broil for a quick 2-3 minutes.

Watch carefully to prevent burning – you want golden, not charcoal!

Step 6: Serve With Style

Let the chicken rest for a few moments to lock in those juices.

Sprinkle some fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and an extra layer of freshness.

Your dinner is ready to dazzle!

Tips for Juicy Honey Dijon Chicken

  • Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help the glaze adhere better and create a crispy exterior.
  • Modify honey quantity based on personal taste preferences, adding more for sweetness or less for a tangier profile.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F, preventing undercooking and guaranteeing food safety.
  • Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Marinate chicken in the honey Dijon mixture for 30 minutes before baking to intensify the taste and tenderize the meat.

Storage & Reheat Guide for Honey Dijon Chicken

  • Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain moisture and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Wrap individual chicken pieces in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label the bag with the date to track storage time.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken in a baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature and moisture to avoid overcooking.

Perfect Pairings for Honey Dijon Chicken

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc to complement the honey Dijon's tangy sweetness, cutting through the richness of the chicken.
  • Create Zesty Side Salad: Toss mixed greens with a light lemon vinaigrette to balance the chicken's sweet and savory glaze, adding fresh contrast to the meal.
  • Match with Roasted Vegetables: Prepare garlic-roasted asparagus or honey-glazed carrots that echo the chicken's flavor profile, enhancing the overall dining experience.
  • Select Nutty Grain Base: Serve over quinoa or wild rice pilaf to soak up the delicious glaze and provide a hearty, nutritious foundation for the tender chicken.

Variations on Honey Dijon Chicken

  • Spicy Honey Dijon Chicken: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the glaze for a heat-packed version that brings extra kick to the dish.
  • Herb-Infused Chicken Alternative: Replace dried thyme with fresh rosemary or oregano for a more aromatic and garden-fresh flavor profile.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the recipe completely gluten-free and suitable for sensitive diets.
  • Low-Carb Chicken Variation: Reduce honey and use a sugar-free honey substitute or monk fruit sweetener to create a lower-carbohydrate friendly meal that maintains the original recipe's delicious essence.

FAQs

  • Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can easily substitute chicken breasts. Just adjust the cooking time to 25-30 minutes and ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).

  • Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not entirely. The soy sauce contains gluten, but you can use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari to make the recipe gluten-free.

  • How can I make the dish spicier?

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the honey Dijon glaze to increase the heat and give the chicken a spicy kick.

  • What are some good side dishes to serve with this chicken?

Roasted vegetables, rice pilaf, quinoa, or a fresh green salad complement the honey Dijon chicken perfectly.

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Easy Baked Honey Dijon Chicken Recipe

Easy Baked Honey Dijon Chicken Recipe


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4.9 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Honey dijon chicken brings zesty Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table with minimal prep work. Crispy, golden-brown chicken breasts glazed in a tangy sauce will delight you when served alongside roasted vegetables or fluffy rice.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or 2 large chicken breasts)

Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) honey
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Aromatics:

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F, creating a perfectly calibrated cooking environment. Prepare a baking dish with a light coating of grease or protective parchment paper.
  2. Craft a vibrant glaze by whisking Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, olive oil, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper in a small mixing bowl until smooth and well-integrated.
  3. Arrange chicken pieces in the prepared baking dish, generously cascading the honey Dijon mixture over each piece to ensure complete and even coverage.
  4. Roast the chicken for 35-40 minutes if using bone-in thighs, or 25-30 minutes for boneless breasts. Verify doneness by confirming the internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer.
  5. For an enhanced caramelized exterior, activate the broiler for a final 2-3 minutes, transforming the glaze into a golden, slightly crisp coating.
  6. Allow the chicken to rest briefly after removing from the oven, enabling juices to redistribute and intensify flavor. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a touch of brightness and visual appeal before serving.

Notes

  • Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes to 2 hours before baking to enhance flavor penetration and tenderness.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure precise doneness without overcooking, preventing dry chicken.
  • Swap honey with maple syrup for a different sweet profile or use agave nectar for a vegan alternative.
  • Adjust soy sauce to low-sodium version if watching salt intake or prefer a lighter seasoning.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Showcasing ingredients in plant-forward vegetarian dishes.
  • Creating adaptable weeklong menu templates centered on seasonal produce.

Education

Schoolcraft College

  • Program: Culinary Arts Associate Degree
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, menu planning, and food safety.

With an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Schoolcraft College and a natural knack for teaching, Olivia Bennett’s all about making home cooking feel possible, even on your busiest day.
Her thing? Recipes that are budget-friendly, season-forward, and full of Southern warmth. Whether it’s a roasted veggie bowl or a five-ingredient skillet bake, Olivia makes sure it’s simple, satisfying, and something you’ll want to make again tomorrow.
When she’s not shooting step-by-step videos or testing spice blends, she’s out foraging, flipping through old cookbooks, or throwing laid-back dinner parties with a BYO-mason-jar theme.

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