Description
Easy Baked Honey Dijon Chicken with tender chicken breasts glazed in a sweet and tangy sauce. Quick, comforting, and crowd-pleasing!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (900g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1/3 cup (80ml) Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup (60ml) honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Optional garnish: fresh chopped parsley or thyme
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Marinade In a medium bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, paprika, salt, pepper, and lemon juice until smooth and well combined. The mixture should have a thick, glossy appearance. Reserve 1/4 cup of this marinade in a separate container and refrigerate it for basting later (this prevents cross-contamination).
- Step 2: Marinate the Chicken Place your chicken breasts or thighs in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. Remember, this marination time is key to developing the full flavor profile of your Easy Baked Honey Dijon Chicken.
- Step 3: Prepare for Baking When ready to cook, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the chicken from the refrigerator about 20-30 minutes before baking to allow it to come to room temperature. Line a baking dish or sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Arrange the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch each other.
- Step 4: Bake to Perfection Place the chicken in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the dish and carefully baste the chicken with some of your reserved marinade. Return to the oven and continue baking for another 5-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken pieces. For optimal results, use a meat thermometer to verify the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
- Step 5: Rest and Serve Once the Easy Baked Honey Dijon Chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring each bite is succulent and moist. If desired, drizzle any remaining reserved marinade (that hasn’t touched raw chicken) over the top, or reduce it in a small saucepan for a thicker sauce. Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece of chicken (about 6 oz)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg