Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs Easy Dinner Recipe

Name: Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 4 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs; 0.25 cup honey; 0.25 cup Dijon mustard; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; to taste salt and pepper; for garnish fresh parsley, chopped

by Ava on March 30, 2025

If you’re looking for a quick and tasty dinner, you’ll love this Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs recipe. It’s simple to make, and you’ll need just a few common ingredients. This dish brings together sweet and tangy flavors that your whole family will enjoy. With easy steps, tips, and variations, I’ll help you create a meal that shines on any weeknight. Let’s dive right into the details!

$- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs - 1/4 cup honey - 1/4 cup Dijon mustard - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar - 1 teaspoon dried thyme - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) You will need four chicken thighs, with skin and bone. The honey and Dijon mustard each require a quarter cup. For oil, take two tablespoons of olive oil. Use two cloves of minced garlic. One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar gives a nice tang. One teaspoon of dried thyme adds flavor. Lastly, add salt and pepper to your liking. If you do not have bone-in chicken thighs, boneless thighs work too. Honey can be swapped with maple syrup for a different taste. Instead of Dijon mustard, you can use yellow mustard. If you dislike garlic, you can leave it out. Fresh thyme can replace dried thyme if you have it. For a twist, you can add a splash of soy sauce for more depth. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). This helps the chicken cook evenly. Next, take the chicken thighs and pat them dry with paper towels. This step is key for getting crispy skin. Season them with salt and pepper to taste. In a medium bowl, mix together the honey and Dijon mustard. Add the olive oil, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, and dried thyme. Whisk everything until smooth. This sauce gives the chicken a sweet and tangy flavor. Make sure all the ingredients blend well. Place the chicken thighs in a baking dish. Pour the honey mustard sauce over the chicken. Make sure they are well coated. Arrange the thighs skin-side up in the dish. Bake for 35-40 minutes. The chicken should be golden brown and cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to check; it should read 165°F (75°C). For a nice finish, broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes at the end. Keep an eye on it to avoid burning. Once done, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy your meal! To get crispy skin on your chicken thighs, start by patting them dry. Use paper towels to remove any moisture. This step helps the skin crisp up nicely in the oven. Next, make sure your oven is hot enough. Preheat to 425°F (220°C) before baking. Finally, arrange the chicken skin-side up in the baking dish. This lets the heat circulate and crisp the skin perfectly. You can boost the flavor of your honey mustard sauce with some simple tweaks. Add a splash of lemon juice for a bright kick. If you like spice, mix in some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. For a deeper taste, try using smoked paprika. Fresh herbs like rosemary or basil also add a nice touch. Feel free to mix and match to find your perfect flavor! Honey mustard chicken thighs are great on their own or with sides. Serve them with roasted veggies or a fresh salad. Mashed potatoes or rice are nice choices too. Don’t forget to use the sauce left in the baking dish! Drizzle it over your chicken and sides for extra flavor. For a touch of color, garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy your meal! Pro Tips Pat the Chicken Dry: Ensure the chicken thighs are thoroughly patted dry with paper towels before cooking. This helps achieve a crispy skin during baking. Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, use fresh garlic and herbs. Fresh ingredients can significantly enhance the taste of your dish. Monitor the Cooking Time: Every oven is different. Check the chicken a few minutes before the suggested cooking time to ensure it doesn’t overcook. Rest Before Serving: Allow the chicken to rest for at least 5 minutes after removing it from the oven. This helps the juices redistribute, making the chicken more tender and juicy. {{image_2}} You can switch chicken thighs for other meats. Try using chicken breasts for a leaner option. Pork chops also work well with honey mustard sauce. If you want to go meatless, use firm tofu. Just press the tofu to remove extra water and marinate it in the sauce. You can play with the sauce to change the taste. Add some hot sauce for a spicy kick. For a citrus twist, mix in orange juice instead of vinegar. If you love herbs, try adding rosemary or basil. This will give a fresh, fragrant flavor to your dish. Pair your honey mustard chicken with tasty sides. Roasted vegetables like carrots and broccoli make a great match. You can also serve it with creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice. For a light option, try a green salad with a lemon vinaigrette. These sides will round out your meal nicely and please everyone at the table. After your meal, let the chicken cool down. Place the chicken thighs in an airtight container. You can store them in the fridge for up to four days. If you want to keep them longer, freezing is a great option. To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken in an oven-safe dish. Cover it with foil to keep moisture in. Heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until warm. You can also use a microwave. Heat it on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking to avoid overcooking. If you want to freeze your chicken, wrap each thigh tightly in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible. Label the bag with the date. They will stay good for up to three months. When ready to use, thaw them in the fridge overnight before reheating. Yes, you can use boneless chicken thighs. They cook faster than bone-in thighs. If you choose boneless thighs, reduce your baking time to about 25-30 minutes. Always check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure they are safe to eat. Boneless thighs will absorb the honey mustard sauce well and stay juicy. You should bake chicken thighs at 425°F for 35-40 minutes. This time allows the skin to turn golden brown and crispy. Always check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. It should reach 165°F for safe consumption. If using boneless thighs, reduce the time to 25-30 minutes. Several sides go well with honey mustard chicken thighs. Here are some ideas: - Steamed broccoli - Roasted potatoes - Rice pilaf - Green salad - Mashed sweet potatoes These options will complement the sweet and tangy flavors of the chicken. You can mix and match according to your taste. In this post, we covered key ingredients for the Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs, how to prep chicken, and make the sauce. We shared tips for achieving crispy skin and flavor boosts, along with serving ideas. We also explored variations for proteins and sides and detailed storage methods and reheating tips. Cooking can be fun and easy with this guide. Try these steps for a tasty meal. Enjoy experimenting with flavors and sharing your dish!$

Why I Love This Recipe

Deliciously Sweet and Tangy: The combination of honey and Dijon mustard creates a perfectly balanced sauce that is both sweet and tangy, enhancing the rich flavor of the chicken.
Easy to Prepare: This recipe requires minimal prep work and can be made in just a few steps, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Crispy Skin: Baking the chicken thighs at a high temperature ensures the skin becomes golden brown and crispy, providing a delightful texture.
Versatile and Customizable: You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your taste, adding spices or herbs as desired for a unique twist.

Ingredients

List of Ingredients

– 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

– 1/4 cup honey

– 1/4 cup Dijon mustard

– 2 tablespoons olive oil

– 2 cloves garlic, minced

– 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

– 1 teaspoon dried thyme

– Salt and pepper to taste

– Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Measurement Details

You will need four chicken thighs, with skin and bone. The honey and Dijon mustard each require a quarter cup. For oil, take two tablespoons of olive oil. Use two cloves of minced garlic. One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar gives a nice tang. One teaspoon of dried thyme adds flavor. Lastly, add salt and pepper to your liking.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you do not have bone-in chicken thighs, boneless thighs work too. Honey can be swapped with maple syrup for a different taste. Instead of Dijon mustard, you can use yellow mustard. If you dislike garlic, you can leave it out. Fresh thyme can replace dried thyme if you have it. For a twist, you can add a splash of soy sauce for more depth.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepping the Chicken

First, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). This helps the chicken cook evenly. Next, take the chicken thighs and pat them dry with paper towels. This step is key for getting crispy skin. Season them with salt and pepper to taste.

Making the Honey Mustard Sauce

In a medium bowl, mix together the honey and Dijon mustard. Add the olive oil, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, and dried thyme. Whisk everything until smooth. This sauce gives the chicken a sweet and tangy flavor. Make sure all the ingredients blend well.

Baking Instructions

Place the chicken thighs in a baking dish. Pour the honey mustard sauce over the chicken. Make sure they are well coated. Arrange the thighs skin-side up in the dish. Bake for 35-40 minutes. The chicken should be golden brown and cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to check; it should read 165°F (75°C). For a nice finish, broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes at the end. Keep an eye on it to avoid burning. Once done, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy your meal!

Tips & Tricks

Ensuring Crispy Skin

To get crispy skin on your chicken thighs, start by patting them dry. Use paper towels to remove any moisture. This step helps the skin crisp up nicely in the oven. Next, make sure your oven is hot enough. Preheat to 425°F (220°C) before baking. Finally, arrange the chicken skin-side up in the baking dish. This lets the heat circulate and crisp the skin perfectly.

Flavor Enhancements

You can boost the flavor of your honey mustard sauce with some simple tweaks. Add a splash of lemon juice for a bright kick. If you like spice, mix in some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. For a deeper taste, try using smoked paprika. Fresh herbs like rosemary or basil also add a nice touch. Feel free to mix and match to find your perfect flavor!

Serving Suggestions

Honey mustard chicken thighs are great on their own or with sides. Serve them with roasted veggies or a fresh salad. Mashed potatoes or rice are nice choices too. Don’t forget to use the sauce left in the baking dish! Drizzle it over your chicken and sides for extra flavor. For a touch of color, garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy your meal!

Pro Tips

Pat the Chicken Dry: Ensure the chicken thighs are thoroughly patted dry with paper towels before cooking. This helps achieve a crispy skin during baking.
Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, use fresh garlic and herbs. Fresh ingredients can significantly enhance the taste of your dish.
Monitor the Cooking Time: Every oven is different. Check the chicken a few minutes before the suggested cooking time to ensure it doesn’t overcook.
Rest Before Serving: Allow the chicken to rest for at least 5 minutes after removing it from the oven. This helps the juices redistribute, making the chicken more tender and juicy.

Variations

Alternative Proteins

You can switch chicken thighs for other meats. Try using chicken breasts for a leaner option. Pork chops also work well with honey mustard sauce. If you want to go meatless, use firm tofu. Just press the tofu to remove extra water and marinate it in the sauce.

Different Flavor Profiles

You can play with the sauce to change the taste. Add some hot sauce for a spicy kick. For a citrus twist, mix in orange juice instead of vinegar. If you love herbs, try adding rosemary or basil. This will give a fresh, fragrant flavor to your dish.

Serving with Sides

Pair your honey mustard chicken with tasty sides. Roasted vegetables like carrots and broccoli make a great match. You can also serve it with creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice. For a light option, try a green salad with a lemon vinaigrette. These sides will round out your meal nicely and please everyone at the table.

Storage Info

How to Store Leftovers

After your meal, let the chicken cool down. Place the chicken thighs in an airtight container. You can store them in the fridge for up to four days. If you want to keep them longer, freezing is a great option.

Reheating Instructions

To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken in an oven-safe dish. Cover it with foil to keep moisture in. Heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until warm. You can also use a microwave. Heat it on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking to avoid overcooking.

Freezing Tips

If you want to freeze your chicken, wrap each thigh tightly in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible. Label the bag with the date. They will stay good for up to three months. When ready to use, thaw them in the fridge overnight before reheating.

FAQs

Can I use boneless chicken thighs?

Yes, you can use boneless chicken thighs. They cook faster than bone-in thighs. If you choose boneless thighs, reduce your baking time to about 25-30 minutes. Always check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure they are safe to eat. Boneless thighs will absorb the honey mustard sauce well and stay juicy.

How long to bake chicken thighs at 425°F?

You should bake chicken thighs at 425°F for 35-40 minutes. This time allows the skin to turn golden brown and crispy. Always check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. It should reach 165°F for safe consumption. If using boneless thighs, reduce the time to 25-30 minutes.

What sides pair well with Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs?

Several sides go well with honey mustard chicken thighs. Here are some ideas:

– Steamed broccoli

– Roasted potatoes

– Rice pilaf

– Green salad

– Mashed sweet potatoes

These options will complement the sweet and tangy flavors of the chicken. You can mix and match according to your taste.

In this post, we covered key ingredients for the Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs, how to prep chicken, and make the sauce. We shared tips for achieving crispy skin and flavor boosts, along with serving ideas. We also explored variations for proteins and sides and detailed storage methods and reheating tips.

Cooking can be fun and easy with this guide. Try these steps for a tasty meal. Enjoy experimenting with flavors and sharing your dis

Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs

A delicious and easy recipe for chicken thighs coated in a sweet and tangy honey mustard sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 40

Total Time 50

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

4 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
0.25 cup honey
0.25 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon dried thyme
to taste salt and pepper
for garnish fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, dried thyme, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels for better crispiness.
Place the chicken thighs in a baking dish and pour the honey mustard mixture over them, ensuring they are well coated.
Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side up in the dish.
Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is golden brown and crispy (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 75°C).
Optional: For a caramelized finish, broil the chicken for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end of the cooking time, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
Once cooked, remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

For extra crispiness, pat the chicken dry before coating.

Keyword chicken, easy recipe, honey mustard