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Home Recipe Index Chicken & Turkey

Honey Mustard Chicken

★★★★★ 5 /5
Jump to Recipe Rate Recipe
Rachel Tiemeyer
By: Rachel TiemeyerPosted: 5/8/23Updated: 12/4/23

This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.

You had me at 5 ingredients! That’s right. This Honey Mustard Chicken only requires 5 pantry staple ingredients for the marinade, resulting in a delicious sweet-and-savory dinner.

Grilled honey mustard chicken on a plate with salad and honey mustard sauce on the side.

 

“Outstanding, easy marinade!! We get tons of compliments from our guests when we use this one! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️” – Bianca

Table of Contents
  • Ingredients Needed
  • How to Make Honey Mustard Chicken
  • Ways to Cook Marinated Chicken
  • How to Know When Chicken is Done
  • Make It a Freezer Meal
  • What to Serve with Honey Mustard Chicken
  • FAQs
  • More Chicken Marinades
  • Recipe: Honey Mustard Chicken

Ingredients Needed

Marinating chicken is THE key to infusing flavor into typically lean, bland poultry cuts. This simple marinade requires only 5 pantry staples to turn that lackluster cut into something super tasty!

Let’s meet the key ingredients to making the best Honey Mustard Chicken on earth!

  • Avocado Oil or Olive oil – The base for almost all of our chicken marinades.
  • Apple cider vinegar – Cider vinegar adds a delicious twist on the acid component of this marinade.
  • Dijon mustard – There isn’t too much in this recipe, but it’s enough to give it that signature Dijon flavor.
  • Honey – This all-natural sweetener balances out the tartness from the vinegar and mustard.
  • Salt – A must in any chicken marinade.
Honey mustard chicken marinade ingredients measured out and labeled.

How to Make Honey Mustard Chicken

Only three steps are required for tender, flavorful Honey Dijon Chicken.

Prepare Marinade

Place the marinade ingredients straight into a gallon-size freezer bag and give it a good shake. This saves you an extra dish. You could also mix the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and pour it over the chicken

Looking into the top of a freezer bag that has chicken breasts in honey mustard marinade.

Marinate Chicken

Add the chicken to the ziplock bag with the marinade. Close securely and gently massage it into the meat. Marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.

Cook the Chicken

Then, grill, slow cook, pressure cook, or bake your marinated Chicken. You choose your method! We’ve included instructions for how to cook boneless chicken breasts any of these ways below.

Marinated honey mustard chicken breasts on on the grill.

Ways to Cook Marinated Chicken

Chicken breasts are by far the most popular cut to marinate and cook, so we’re giving you several cooking options below. You can grill, bake, slow cook, or pressure cook your boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs).

Here are four easy ways to cook marinated Honey Mustard Chicken:

Bake in the Oven

Preheat oven to 400°F. Place chicken in a casserole dish or on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake uncovered for about 20-25 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken, until done.

Slow Cook in the Crockpot

Place chicken and marinade in slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours. Really! That’s all it takes to get it done, otherwise, you’ll overcook and dry it out.

Here is a whole post about how long to cook chicken in the Crockpot if you’re interested!

Pressure Cook in the Instant Pot

Place chicken, marinade, and 1/3 cup chicken broth in a 6-quart Instant Pot. (Note: If using an 8-quart, add an additional 1/2 cup of broth.)

Lock and seal the lid. Cook at high pressure for 7 minutes and use a quick release of the pressure when the cook time is up. (Note: It will take 10-15 minutes to come to pressure before the cook time starts.)

Grill the Chicken

Pound out the chicken to about 3/4-inch thick (or cut it in half lengthwise) to help with fast and even cooking. This step is super important!

Preheat grill to medium-high heat (400-450°F) and clean the grates well. Grill for 4-6 minutes per side, closing the lid in between flipping. The cook time may take a little longer, depending on the thickness of the chicken.

Meat thermometer being held inside a chicken breast on a grill.

How to Know When Chicken is Done

Chicken is done when it reaches 165°F internal temperature. A digital meat thermometer is a must to help cook chicken perfectly!

Make It a Freezer Meal

While you’re already making this recipe for dinner, we suggest using your time wisely by prepping a few freezer meals of this chicken marinade at the same time. Your future self will thank you!

To Freeze:

Like most of our chicken freezer meals, simply combine the ingredients (the marinade & the chicken) and freeze for later. No need to let the chicken marinate before freezing.

To Prepare:

When you want to use it, let the chicken thaw one of these safe ways.

Then, grill, slow cook, pressure cook, or bake your marinated chicken. We’ve included instructions for how to cook boneless chicken breasts in the recipe below.

Chicken breasts in honey Dijon marinade in freezer bag.

What to Serve with Honey Mustard Chicken

Round out your healthy, tasty chicken meal with a simple salad topped with Honey Dijon Dressing and few of these side dishes.

Oven roasted asparagus on parchment paper.

Oven Roasted Asparagus

Roasted Vegetables

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The BEST Boiled Baby Potatoes

chopped cucumber, red onion, tomatoes, basil, garlic and crumbled feta in a white bowl

Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad

FAQs

How long should you marinate chicken?

The ideal marinating time for chicken is anywhere between 2-24 hours. The specific time can depend on the type and cut of chicken, as well as the acidity level of the marinade.

Can you OVER marinate chicken?

Yes, over-marinating chicken can actually have a negative effect on the texture and taste of the meat. Acidic marinades, in particular, can break down the proteins in the chicken too much and leave it with a mushy texture.

Can you freeze chicken in a marinade?

Absolutely! As freezer cookbook authors, we especially love how easy it is to prep these chicken breast marinades ahead of time and freeze them to have on hand for another night. Every recipe includes freezing instructions, so you can double and freeze a batch anytime.

Can you reuse marinade for chicken?

You shouldn’t reuse marinade but you can boil it to use safely as a sauce over your finished dish using these directions. I actually do this all the time.

To kill all the raw chicken germs, be sure to bring the marinade to a rolling boil in a pot on the stove for at least 1 minute, according to the CDC‘s directions for making water safe to drink.

The World Health Organization (WHO)Trusted Source notes that bacteria are rapidly killed at temperatures above 149°F (65°C), which is below that of boiling water or even a simmer. So rest assured you’ll be safe if you boil it well for 1 minute. We’d suggest straining it after boiling to remove any chicken pieces.

How long can chicken marinate in the fridge?

In our tests, we found that it’s best to marinate your chicken in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours and up to 24 hours. Less than 1 hour didn’t seem to infuse enough flavor into the chicken breasts and more than 24 hours (unless the chicken was frozen for part of that time) can cause them to become a bit mealy and mushy, especially if the marinade has a high acid content.

Can you marinade frozen chicken?

Yes, you can marinate frozen chicken. Go ahead and throw frozen boneless chicken breasts or thighs in a freezer bag with the marinade and stick the bag in the freezer until you’re ready. Or, place the bag of chicken and marinade in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours, until thawed completely.

Can you use this marinade for other cuts of chicken?

Absolutely! All cuts of chicken can benefit from a dip in a marinade. So, these marinades work just as well for chicken thighs and bone-in chicken. Cooking time will vary from our recipes, however, since we direct you how to cook chicken breasts.

7 different marinades for chicken breasts in freezer bags lined up in a container.

More Chicken Marinades

Try some of our other favorite healthy chicken marinades to mix things up:

  • Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade
  • Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade
  • Balsamic Herb Chicken Marinade
  • Asian Sesame Chicken Marinade
  • Southwest Chicken Marinade
  • The BEST Savory Chicken Marinade
    7 chicken marinades freebie

    Get 7 of Our BEST Chicken Marinades Sent to Your Inbox!

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    Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

    Grilled honey mustard chicken on a plate with salad and sauce.
    ★★★★★ 5 from 13 reviews

    Honey Mustard Chicken

    With only 5 ingredients, you can create this deliciously simple Honey Dijon chicken marinade in no time. Then, either grill, slow cook, pressure cook, or bake for a succulent chicken dinner.

    Yield: 5 servings 1x
    Prep: 5 minutesCook: 12 minutesTotal: 17 minutes (plus marinating time)
    Print Recipe Rate Pin for Later
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    Scale:

    Ingredients

    • 1/3 cup olive oil
    • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
    • 1/4 cup honey
    • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 1/2 – 2 pounds chicken breasts, tenders, or thighs

    Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

    Instructions

    Make It Now:

    1. Make Marinade: Add the oil, vinegar, honey, Dijon Mustard, and salt to a gallon-sized freezer bag, seal, and shake. Either seal and refrigerate until ready to use, OR add 1 1/2 – 2 pounds chicken to the bag, seal, and squish around to make sure the chicken is covered in marinade. (Freezing instructions begin here.)
    2. Marinate Chicken: Place the bag in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours. (Tip: Set the bag in a container to prevent any leaks.)
    3. Cook Chicken: Cook the chicken using one of these methods. The chicken is done when it reaches 165°F internally and/or is no longer pink inside.
        • Bake in Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place chicken in a casserole dish or on a rimmed baking sheet. (Tip: Spray the dish/sheet pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.) Bake uncovered for about 20-25 minutes, until done. May take longer depending on the thickness of the chicken.
        • Slow Cooker: Place chicken and marinade in slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours. Really! That’s all it takes to get it done, otherwise, you’ll overcook and dry it out.
        • Instant Pot: Place chicken, marinade, and 1/3 cup chicken broth in a 6-quart Instant Pot. (Note: If using an 8 quart, add an additional 1/2 cup of broth.) Lock and seal the lid. Cook at high pressure for 7 minutes and use a quick release of the pressure when the cook time is up. (Note: It will take 10-15 minutes to come to pressure before the cook time starts.)
        • Grill: *Before marinating, pound out the chicken to about 3/4-inch thick (or cut it in half lengthwise) to help with fast and even cooking. To do this, place one breast at a time inside a freezer bag and pound with the flat side of a meat mallet. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (400-450°F) and clean the grates well. Grill for about 4-6 minutes per side, closing the lid in between flipping, until done. The cook time may be longer depending on the thickness.
    4. Make Extra Sauce (optional): Instead of discarding the leftover marinade, place it in a small pot and bring it to a rolling boil on the stovetop for at least 1 minute. Watch closely so it doesn’t overflow. Strain it, if desired, and use as extra sauce over the cooked chicken.*

    Freeze For Later: Follow step 1. Freeze for up to 3 months.

    Prepare From Frozen: Thaw, using one of these safe thawing methods, and follow Step 3. No additional marinating time needed once it is thawed!


    Notes/Tips

    Where We Get Our Chicken: We get our chicken from ButcherBox. The chicken is organic and curated from trusted farms. We highly recommend this service to source healthy meat–like uncured bacon, grass-fed beef, and wild salmon–and have used it for years ourselves.

    *How to Safely Turn the Marinade Into Sauce: To kill all the raw chicken germs, be sure to bring the marinade to a rolling boil in a pot on the stove for at least 1 minute, according to the CDC. The World Health Organization (WHO) Trusted Source notes that bacteria are rapidly killed at temperatures above 149°F (65°C), which is below that of boiling water or even a simmer. So rest assured you’ll be safe if you boil it well for 1 minute. We’d suggest straining it after boiling to remove any chicken pieces. 

    How to Know If Chicken Is Done: Chicken is done when it reaches 165°F internal temperature. (A digital meat thermometer is a must to help cook chicken perfectly.)

    More Chicken Marinades to Try: Try some of our other favorite healthy chicken marinades to mix things up:

    • Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade
    • Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade
    • Balsamic Herb Chicken Marinade
    • Asian Sesame Chicken Marinade
    • Southwest Chicken Marinade
    • The BEST Savory Chicken Marinade
    © Author: Rachel Tiemeyer
    Cuisine: American Method: Any cooking method

    Did you make this?

    Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

    Rate Recipe

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    Rachel Tiemeyer

    Rachel Tiemeyer

    As co-founder of Thriving Home, Rachel dreams about creating recipes (literally) and uses her husband, her 3 kids, and even the neighbors as guinea pigs several nights a week. She believes that good food has the power to bring families and friends closer together and continues to wake up excited about her job each day, even after 10+ years!

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    1. AvatarLana E says

      Posted on 11/27/23 at 7:05 pm

      Easy weeknight meal that everybody gobbled up.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

        Posted on 11/28/23 at 9:24 am

        Hi Lana! Always good to hear easy and gobbled up in the same sentence. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review.

        Reply
    2. AvatarVicki Andry says

      Posted on 11/2/23 at 4:23 pm

      Family loved it!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

        Posted on 11/3/23 at 9:17 am

        Yay! Glad to hear it Vicki. Thank you for taking the time to leave a rating and review!

        Reply
    3. AvatarMichelle says

      Posted on 8/27/23 at 7:50 am

      This was the first of the 7 marinades that we tried. Huge winner winner chicken dinner!!!! My daughter absolutely loved this, we all did. But it was by far her favorite. I served it with corn on the cob and brown rice. Super easy and fast meal.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

        Posted on 8/28/23 at 11:04 am

        Super easy, fast, and family-favorite… can’t beat a description like that! Thanks for leaving a review Michelle.

        Reply
    4. AvatarKatie says

      Posted on 7/9/23 at 8:54 am

      This is so delcious and easy to make! Instantly became a favorite in our house!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • AvatarKatie says

        Posted on 7/9/23 at 8:55 am

        Delicious* : )

        ★★★★★

        Reply
      • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

        Posted on 7/10/23 at 9:05 am

        Love to hear this Katie! Thanks for leaving a review.

        Reply
    5. AvatarRuth says

      Posted on 6/15/23 at 3:23 am

      About to marinate the chicken and wanted to ask if I bake chicken breasts in the marinade or remove them first?

      Reply
      • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

        Posted on 6/15/23 at 8:34 am

        I usually leave the marinade behind. I like the texture better myself.

        Reply
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