Say hello to Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken—a dish that brings together the irresistible tang of Dijon, the subtle sweetness of honey, and the secret magic of a flavorful marinade. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or your next backyard gathering, this juicy, golden-glazed chicken will have everyone asking for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly Juicy Every Time: The marinade ensures the chicken turns out moist, tender, and full of flavor—no dry bites here!
- Crowd-Pleasing Sweet-Tangy Flavor: That honey mustard combo delivers a golden crust and delicious balance that both kids and adults love.
- So Simple, So Fast: Minimal ingredients and hands-on time mean you can prep this in minutes, then let the grill do the work.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken keeps beautifully, making leftovers an absolute treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken comes together with just a handful of staples, but each ingredient plays an important part in flavor, texture, and that signature caramelized color on the grill.
- Dijon Mustard: Delivers depth, zing, and that unmistakable tangy base—use your favorite brand for best results.
- Avocado Oil: Adds silkiness to the marinade and keeps the chicken super juicy on the grill; olive oil also works in a pinch.
- Honey: Naturally sweetens and helps achieve that glossy, golden glaze as the chicken cooks.
- Salt: Brings out all the flavors in the marinade and helps tenderize the chicken as it rests.
- Water: Loosens up the marinade so it coats every inch of the chicken perfectly—just a splash does the trick.
- Chicken (1.5–2 lbs): Use boneless thighs or breasts; both absorb the marinade beautifully and grill up tender and succulent.
Variations
This recipe for Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken is fantastically versatile—think of it as your flavorful base camp! Feel free to make it your own by swapping ingredients, adding herbs, or tweaking for what you have on hand.
- Swap Out the Mustard: Try stone-ground or spicy brown mustard for a deeper bite, or honey mustard for extra sweetness.
- Try Different Proteins: This marinade is just as tasty on pork chops or salmon fillets if you’d like to mix up the weeknight routine.
- Add Garlic or Herbs: Fresh garlic, rosemary, or thyme add earthy notes and an herby edge to the marinade.
- Make it Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but double-check your mustard just to be sure.
How to Make Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, avocado oil, honey, salt, and water until the mixture is silky-smooth. The marinade should be pourable and aromatic, perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy—if you sneak a taste at this stage, I won’t judge!
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
Add the chicken to a glass container or dish, then pour the honey mustard marinade over the top. Turn the chicken so every piece is thoroughly coated. Cover and let it marinate for at least one hour (or overnight in the fridge for maximum flavor). If you’re short on time, an hour at room temperature works wonders!
Step 3: Preheat the Grill
About 15–20 minutes before you’re ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If you marinated the chicken overnight, remember to let it sit at room temperature for an hour before grilling to ensure it cooks evenly and stays juicy.
Step 4: Grill to Perfection
Place the chicken on the preheated grill, discarding any leftover marinade. Grill for about 8 minutes total, flipping halfway through, until the chicken develops gorgeous grill marks and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. The marinade will caramelize on the surface, creating an irresistible glaze.
Pro Tips for Making Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken
- Choose the Right Cut: Boneless, skinless thighs are ultra-juicy on the grill, but chicken breasts stay wonderfully moist with this marinade as well—pick your favorite!
- Don’t Rush the Marinade: While an hour does the trick, letting the chicken sit overnight amps up the honey mustard flavor and tenderness. Patience pays off!
- Check Doneness by Temperature: Grill until the thickest part hits 165°F for perfectly cooked, succulent chicken every time.
- Let It Rest: Rest your chicken for 3–5 minutes after grilling so all those delicious juices stay where they belong—inside every bite.
How to Serve Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken
Garnishes
This juicy chicken loves a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives, which brighten up both the flavor and the presentation. A few lemon wedges on the side add a zesty touch and invite guests to squeeze a little extra sunshine over their serving.
Side Dishes
Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken is fabulous alongside crisp summer salads, grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes, or a buttered ear of corn. For something lighter, a quinoa or farro salad picks up every last drop of marinade and pairs beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice the chicken and layer it over a fresh green salad, pile it onto toasted sandwich buns with crunchy slaw, or serve skewered as party-ready bites—this recipe is a canvas for your culinary creativity and guaranteed to shine no matter how you serve it!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken will keep beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so don’t be surprised if tomorrow’s lunch is even better than dinner!
Freezing
This chicken freezes well—just let it cool, pop it in a freezer-safe bag or container, and enjoy within 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for the best texture and flavor when you’re ready for a quick, satisfying meal.
Reheating
For best results, reheat leftover chicken gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or in a 300°F oven until warmed through. Add a splash of water or chicken broth to keep things tender, and avoid the microwave if possible to preserve that juicy bite.
FAQs
-
Can I make Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken without a grill?
Absolutely! You can cook the marinated chicken on a stovetop grill pan, cast-iron skillet, or even bake it in the oven. Just remember to use high heat to achieve that caramelized glaze, and always cook until the internal temperature is 165°F.
-
Is this marinade suitable for bone-in chicken?
Yes, bone-in pieces work great—just increase the grilling time and keep an eye on doneness to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and juicy inside.
-
Can I double the marinade for extra dipping sauce?
For food safety, don’t use leftover marinade as a sauce unless it’s been boiled. If you want extra for drizzling or dipping, simply mix up a fresh batch and set it aside before adding the chicken.
-
How long can I marinate the chicken?
Let it marinate at least 1 hour (room temperature), but overnight in the refrigerator is even better for maximum flavor and tenderness. Just don’t let it go more than 24 hours or the texture may begin to change.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a way to make your next meal extra memorable, you can’t go wrong with Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken. I hope you give this recipe a try and fall in love with its effortless prep and crowd-pleasing flavor. Happy grilling!
Print
Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 13 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Grilling
- Method: Grilling
Description
This Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken recipe combines the tangy flavor of mustard with the sweetness of honey to create a delicious marinade for juicy grilled chicken. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend barbecue.
Ingredients
Marinade:
- 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons water
Chicken:
- 1.5–2 pounds chicken
Instructions
- Prepare Marinade: In a small bowl, combine mustard, avocado oil, honey, salt, and water. Stir until smooth.
- Marinate Chicken: Place chicken in a medium glass container and pour the marinade over it, ensuring all sides are coated. Marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Prep Grill: Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill Chicken: Grill chicken for about 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Serve: Discard any extra marinade before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
