Description
This easy honey mustard baked chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts marinated in a flavorful honey mustard sauce made with Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, fresh thyme, and garlic. Perfect for a quick and delicious dinner, this dish is baked to juicy perfection and finished with an extra brush of honey mustard for a sweet and tangy glaze.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 - 1 1/4 lbs. chicken breasts, pounded and cut into 4-5 oz. portions
- 1/2 tsp. salt, to taste
- 1/8 tsp. black pepper, to taste
- 1/8 tsp. paprika
Honey Mustard Sauce
- 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 tsp. fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F to ensure consistent baking temperatures for even cooking.
- Prepare Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1 inch and cut into 4-5 oz. portions to help them cook uniformly.
- Make Honey Mustard Sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, fresh thyme, garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika until smooth to create the marinade.
- Reserve Sauce: Set aside 2 tablespoons of the honey mustard sauce to brush on the chicken later for added flavor.
- Coat Chicken: Place the chicken breasts into the bowl with the remaining marinade and toss well until evenly coated. For easier storage, transfer the chicken and sauce to a gallon-sized Ziploc bag if desired.
- Marinate: Cover and refrigerate the chicken for at least 20 minutes or up to overnight to let the flavors penetrate.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly coat a 9-inch square baking dish with non-stick spray, then place the marinated chicken breasts in a single layer in the dish.
- Bake: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. The temperature will rise to the safe 165°F after removing from the oven.
- Brush with Reserved Sauce: After baking, brush the chicken with the reserved honey mustard sauce for an extra layer of delicious flavor.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the chicken with a sprig of fresh thyme and serve warm. Enjoy your flavorful honey mustard baked chicken!
Notes
- You can substitute ¼ teaspoon dried thyme if fresh thyme is unavailable.
- Yellow mustard or spicy brown mustard can be used in place of Dijon mustard for a different flavor profile.
- If preparing more than 24 hours ahead, store chicken and marinade separately and toss them together if less than 24 hours before cooking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- This dish freezes well; store in freezer-safe containers for up to 4-6 months.
- To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator and warm in a 300°F oven until heated through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg