Description
This Honey Mustard Chicken recipe features tender, juicy boneless chicken thighs baked to perfection in a deliciously tangy and sweet honey mustard sauce. Enhanced with fresh thyme and olive oil, this simple yet flavorful dish is perfect for a quick family dinner or a casual get-together. Served with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, it’s a crowd-pleaser that combines ease and taste in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 ¼ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 8 thighs)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Sauce
- ½ cup Dijon mustard
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the chicken from sticking during baking.
- Make Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, and extra virgin olive oil until fully combined and smooth. This mixture will create the flavorful glaze for the chicken.
- Season and Bake Chicken: Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper to your taste. Pour the honey mustard sauce evenly over the chicken and use a spoon to turn each thigh to ensure they are fully coated with the sauce. Tuck the fresh thyme sprigs in between the chicken pieces to infuse the dish with herbal notes. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Halfway through baking, baste the chicken by spooning additional sauce from the baking dish over the thighs to keep them moist and flavorful.
- Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes to let the juices redistribute. Serve the chicken with some of the extra sauce drizzled on top and garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired. This dish pairs well with rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad.
Notes
- Make sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked through without overcooking.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are preferred for juiciness, but boneless chicken breasts can be used as a leaner alternative.
- Fresh thyme adds wonderful aroma, but dried thyme can substitute if fresh is unavailable.
- Leftover chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- For a gluten-free version, verify that Dijon mustard is gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
