Description
Get ready for sticky, golden, ridiculously juicy Classic Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs that taste like a restaurant meal but come together with simple pantry ingredients. Tender bone-in chicken thighs roast in a tangy-sweet honey mustard sauce with garlic, lemon, and smoked paprika until the skin is crisp and the pan fills with a rich, spoonable glaze. This easy recipe is perfect for quick weeknight dinners, cozy Sunday meals, and make-ahead lunch prep. Serve it when you’re craving comforting chicken dinner ideas, need an easy recipe to impress guests, or just want new food ideas to refresh your usual rotation of weeknight meals and healthy-ish homemade dishes.
Ingredients
2 pounds bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
3 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and place them in a single layer in a baking dish. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
2. In a medium bowl whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, chicken broth, and smoked paprika until smooth and glossy. Taste and adjust salt or lemon if needed.
3. Pour the honey mustard mixture over the chicken thighs, lifting each piece so the sauce runs underneath. Turn the thighs to coat them evenly in the sauce.
4. If time allows, cover and refrigerate the chicken for 20 to 30 minutes to marinate, or up to several hours for deeper flavor. If you are short on time you can proceed straight to baking.
5. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the chicken uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thighs reaches at least 175°F (80°C) and the sauce is bubbling and slightly thickened.
6. For extra crispy, caramelized skin, switch the oven to broil for 2 to 3 minutes at the end of cooking, watching closely so the honey in the sauce does not burn.
7. Remove the dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Spoon the thickened honey mustard sauce over each thigh.
8. Sprinkle the hot chicken with chopped fresh parsley and serve with your favorite sides, using the pan sauce as a gravy over potatoes, rice, or vegetables.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken thighs in the honey mustard sauce for several hours or overnight in the refrigerator; the longer rest helps the garlic, mustard, and lemon soak into the meat.
If the pan sauce seems too thick after baking, whisk in a splash of warm chicken broth; if it feels too thin, remove the chicken and simmer the sauce on the stovetop for a few minutes to reduce slightly before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Chicken, Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 28
- Cholesterol: 140
Keywords: honey mustard chicken, classic honey mustard chicken thighs, easy dinner, chicken dinner ideas, baked chicken recipe