Honey Mustard Chicken is sweet and savory, tender and juicy, and it comes together in just 20 minutes! You only need 10 ingredients to make this kid-friendly chicken dinner recipe.
As a parent, you don’t want to make your kids mac-and-cheese and chicken fingers for every meal, but you also want your kids to eat! If you feel like you’re constantly having to choose between the kinds of dinners you want to make and the foods your kids will actually eat, this honey mustard chicken is the solution.
You’ll love it, your kids will love it, and everyone will be happy. No dinnertime battles!
And you’ll also love this recipe because it’s easy. Just 5 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking, and you’ve got a flavorful chicken dinner on the table. It’s made with everyday ingredients—you probably have most of them in your kitchen already!—so there’s no need to go to the grocery store with a long list of things to pick up.
(For more kid-friendly dinner recipes, try my Oven Baked Chicken Quesadillas and Taco Stuffed Shells!)
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Honey – Use runny honey, not the creamy, spreadable kind that comes in jars.
- Dijon mustard
- Grainy mustard – This is basically more of a paste than a spread. You may find it labeled as stone-ground mustard, too.
- Olive oil
- Boneless skinless chicken breast tenders – I choose chicken tenders because they’re a kid-friendly cut, but you can use another cut of chicken for this recipe. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may be different.
- Red onion
- Garlic
- Butter
- Poultry seasoning
- Fresh thyme – You can use dried thyme, but I prefer the flavor of fresh. If you’re substituting dried, use one-third the amount.
- Salt and pepper
What Is the Difference Between Regular Mustard and Dijon?
Dijon mustard is a paler (some might say more natural!) yellow and it has a creamier texture than your standard bright yellow bottled mustard. The flavor is less vinegar-y, but it’s spicer than yellow mustard because it’s made with black mustard seeds instead of the milder white or yellow varieties.
How to Make Honey Mustard Chicken
Ready for an easy chicken dinner? Here’s what you’ll need to do.
Make the honey mustard sauce. Whisk the honey and mustards in a medium bowl; taste and adjust as needed.
Season the chicken. In a separate mixing bowl, toss the chicken tenders with a tablespoon of olive oil and the poultry seasoning. Make sure the chicken is evenly coated.
Cook the chicken. Heat ½ tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook for 2 minutes, or until they start to soften, then add the butter and chicken to the pan. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes; stir in the garlic then flip the chicken and cook for 3 to 5 minutes more on the opposite side.
Add the sauce. Pour the honey mustard mixture over the chicken and turn each piece a few times to ensure both sides are coated evenly. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
Finish. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then garnish with thyme and serve.
Tips for Success
These tips will help you make perfect honey mustard chicken!
- Taste and adjust. You will need to taste the honey mustard mixture. If you are someone who loves sweet, add more honey. If you love tangy, add more Dijon mustard.
- Cooking time may vary. Thicker tenders will take longer, so be sure to use your own judgment and make sure the chicken is cooked through.
- Make extra honey mustard. If your family really loves honey mustard, you can double the honey mustard sauce and reserve half of it for serving with the chicken.
Serving Suggestions
Pair honey mustard chicken with:
- Salad
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Steamed or roasted broccoli
- Mashed potatoes
- Roasted Ranch Potatoes
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Pasta or rice
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store any leftover honey mustard chicken in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. The best way to reheat chicken tenders is in a 400ºF oven for about 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the tenders.
Can This Recipe Be Frozen?
You can freeze cooked honey mustard chicken for up to 2 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. Let it thaw in the refrigerator, then heat according to the instructions above.
More Chicken Dinner Ideas
- Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas
- Pineapple BBQ Chicken Foil Packets
- Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas
- Crockpot Chicken Parmesan
Honey Mustard Chicken
Ingredients
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 Tablespoons dijon mustard
- 2 Tablespoons grainy mustard
- 1 ½ Tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast tenders
- ⅓ cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon salted butter
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl add the honey and mustards, whisk to combine. Taste the honey mustard mixture and make sure the flavors are balanced for your taste. Add more honey for sweetness or more dijon mustard for tanginess. Set aside.
- In another medium bowl add chicken tenders, 1 tbsp olive oil and poultry seasoning. Mix to combine, making sure the chicken is evenly coated.
- In a large skillet, on medium-high heat, add ½ tbsp olive oil. Add onions and cook for 2 minutes until they have started to soften. Add the butter and chicken to the pan and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic. Flip chicken and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes on the second side. Your cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the chicken tenders. Your chicken should be cooked through.
- Drizzle the honey mustard over the chicken and flip each piece over a few times to ensure both sides are coated evenly. Cook for 2-3 minutes in the sauce.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Top with fresh thyme and serve immediately with your favorite vegetables.
Notes
- Store any leftover honey mustard chicken in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. The best way to reheat chicken tenders is in a 400ºF oven for about 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the tenders.
Leave a Reply