Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs Recipe

Perfectly baked Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs are irresistibly caramelized on the outside and succulent on the inside. Baking this recipe in a casserole dish allows the bottom of the chicken to self-baste in the honey mustard sauce, for delectably saucy, flavorful chicken.

This easy chicken dinner is a perfect weeknight meal. If you love this chicken thighs recipe, these Baked Chicken Legs and Oven Baked Chicken Breast are also must-tries!

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Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs Recipe

This classic baked chicken recipe packs so much flavor. Cooking bone-in chicken thighs in a hot oven while they self-baste in homemade honey mustard sauce results in the juiciest chicken meat. Meanwhile, the skins bake up caramelized and golden, locking in all the mouthwatering sweet and tangy flavors. 

Before serving, drizzle your cooked, sliced chicken thighs with pan drippings for an even more irresistible flavor. All you need to make this easy chicken recipe into a meal is a side of fluffy White Rice and your choice of veggie side (we’re partial to Roasted Broccoli). You can even roast your vegetables in a separate pan at the same time as your chicken. It’s the ultimate family-friendly weeknight dinner.

Why You’ll Love Honey Mustard Chicken

You won’t believe how easy it is to make juicy, flavor-packed chicken. Here are even more reasons we can’t get enough of this baked honey mustard chicken recipe:

• Minimal Prep – Have your chicken thighs ready for the oven in minutes.
• Flavorful – These succulent chicken thighs are saturated in tangy honey mustard flavor.
• Versatile – Pair your baked chicken thighs with your favorite sides for a delicious and no-fuss meal, and then save your leftovers for lunch.

Ingredients

You only need a small number of ingredients to make these honey mustard chicken thighs. Below is a quick overview of what you’ll need, with the full details available in the recipe card.

• Chicken Thighs – We recommend bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe. Trim away any fat that would otherwise accumulate in the pan while roasting, along with excess skin (see our pro tip below).
• Dijon Mustard – Dijon mustard has a milder flavor than traditional yellow mustard, but you can use any kind of mustard you prefer. Use spicy or English mustard for an even stronger flavor. Grainy mustard also adds nice color and flavor.
• Honey – The natural sweetness of honey balances the sharpness of the mustard and aromatic garlic perfectly. It’s a perfect match.
• Olive Oil – or any kind of oil will work here.
• Garlic – Freshly minced garlic is best. We use 3 cloves, but you can adapt the number to suit your and your family’s tastes.
• Seasonings – Salt and freshly cracked black pepper are a must. We also add dried or fresh rosemary for even more depth of flavor.

Pro Tip: If your chicken has excess fat or excess skin that wraps underneath the thighs, we recommend trimming it away. This way the thigh meat can self-baste directly in the sauce and juices. Leave the skin on top of the chicken thigh intact, to seal in moisture and protect the meat from high heat.

How to Make Honey Mustard Chicken

Honey mustard chicken is truly one of the easiest baked chicken thigh recipes you’ll make. It comes together fast and there’s no marinating required. You’ll have everything ready in the time it takes to preheat your oven.

1. Prep the Chicken – Using a paper towel, gently pat your chicken thighs dry, arrange them in a baking dish, and give them a generous sprinkle with salt and pepper. Now, it’s time to get this succulent chicken ready for the oven:
2. Prepare the Glaze – Whisk together the ingredients for the honey mustard sauce.
3. Coat the Chicken – Next, use a basting brush to brush the honey Dijon mixture all over the top and sides of each chicken thigh. Make sure they’re well coated.
4. Bake – Afterward, bake the chicken thighs for about 40-45 minutes, until they’re cooked through (see the next section for how to tell when your chicken is done baking). 
5. Serve – plate the chicken and spoon over some of the pan sauce for extra flavor with every bite of juicy chicken.

Pro Tip: Broiling for 1-2 minutes at the very end gives the chicken thighs a lovely golden brown color, but remember to keep a close eye so that they don’t burn. Every oven is different, and the chicken may brown faster beneath certain broilers.

How Do I Know When Chicken Thighs Are Done?

According to USDA guidelines, chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF. The easiest way to tell if your chicken is done is to take the temperature at the thickest part with an instant-read thermometer. I love my chicken thighs to get to 175˚ because the collagen breaks down and it becomes even more tender. That’s what I love about chicken thighs – dark meat chicken is more forgiving.

Common Questions

What to Serve with Chicken Thighs

This succulent honey mustard chicken is an easy family meal, and it’s just as perfect to make when we entertain. The flavors are super satisfying and pair well with loads of easy side dishes. Try these serving ideas:

Make-Ahead

This recipe is great for meal prep, and leftovers keep well for easy lunches. Make sure to store your baked chicken thighs within 2 hours.

• To Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken airtight in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can enjoy leftover chicken cold over salads, or in sandwiches and wraps.
• Reheating: It’s always best to reheat meats using the same method they were cooked initially. Reheat baked chicken in the oven at 350ºF. We do not recommend microwaving chicken (microwaved chicken always tastes weird to me).
• To Freeze: Cooked honey mustard chicken freezes well. Store it in an airtight, freezer-safe container or resealable bag, and keep it frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw the chicken in the fridge overnight before reheating.

It’s hard to beat the ease and flavor of this sweet-tangy honey mustard chicken recipe. Chicken thighs bake up so perfectly using this method, you’re going to love it!

More Easy Chicken Recipes

If your family is head-over-heels about chicken dinners also, wait until you try these other delicious chicken recipes: