These 5-ingredient honey mustard chicken thighs are so flavorful and easy to make, they will be one of those recipes that will be your new healthy basics. Just mix the ingredients together and bake them on a sheet pan and you have dinner ready just like that!
This post contains affiliate links. I originally shared this post on Jan 6th, 2015. I have updated the images and some of the text today.
Why We Love This Healthy Chicken Thigh Recipe
No matter what life throws at us, I wanted to make sure you knew I got your back when it comes to getting dinner on the table. So amidst all the noise and chaos, if you’re struggling with “what’s for dinner?” I am here to say: This healthy chicken thigh recipe is what’s for dinner!
And who isn’t psyched to see a 5-ingredient recipe showing its pretty face around here today? I know I am! You may even be thinking it could be a contender for your weekly menu rotation. Maybe, just maybe it will become one of those family-pleasing dinner staples. I hope so.
Love this flavor combo! Have made these dozens of times! Never disappoints! Most times I make half for dinner and freeze the other half to cook another night. The “marinade” still tastes great even from the freezer!
~Jackie
5 Key Ingredients
Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
If you are not yet a fan of chicken thighs, this recipe may be the way you’ll be converted. I mean I love boneless skinless chicken breast too, but chicken thighs are wonderful because they are so juicy and it is nearly impossible to overcook them.
If yours has a lot of excess fat, feel free to cut it off with a sharp knife before adding to the honey mustard mixture.
Honey
Since this recipe is so very simple I love using a really good honey for the most flavor. Orange blossom honey is my all time favorite. But if you happen to have locally produced honey that is great too. If your raw honey has gotten granular, simply warm it up in the microwave to make it melted and liquid again, or you can place the jar into a bowl of warm water.
Mustard
I use brown deli mustard for mildly peppery mustard flavor. You could make this more spicy by choosing a Dijon mustard.
Thyme & Salt
To season I add fresh chopped thyme and salt to the mixture. You can use 1 teaspoon dry thyme too. And feel free to add in fresh pepper too here if you like.
How to Make Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs
Make the honey mustard sauce
The healthy honey mustard marinade is a simple combination of mustard, honey, fresh thyme, and salt. I used brown deli mustard to really amp up the mustard flavor, but feel free to use whatever is in your pantry.
Coat the chicken
Fully coat the chicken thighs in the honey mustard sauce, making sure to get it into all the crevices (you may need to use your hands to really work it in!).
How Long To Roast Boneless Chicken Thighs at 375
- After the chicken thighs are fully coated in the honey mustard, arrange them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet (the parchment paper makes for easier cleanup).
- Roast the honey mustard chicken thighs for 30 to 40 minutes. I use a digital instant-read thermometer to check that they’ve reached an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F.
- To make sure they stay juicy once they come out of the oven, let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
Can You Make This Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe Ahead?
- Yes! You have two options. You can mix the chicken with the honey mustard mixture up to 1 day ahead and then bake them.
- Or they reheat really well. You can do so in the microwave, until they are steaming hot. Or you can set them in a pyrex baking dish and cover them with foil. Then just bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes until they are steaming hot.
What To Serve With Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs
FAQs
Absolutely! I love Honey Cup brand and it is awesome. Use 1/3 cup mixed with the thyme and salt.
Yes! They will take a little longer to roast and the honey mustard coating will brown, but they will still be juicy and delicious. Make sure to use an instant-read thermometer to check that they are at least 165 degrees in the center (about 40 minutes.)
Yes! You can freeze the chicken before or after roasting.
Yes but foil is reactive with mustard (which has acidic element to it and cause pitting of the foil.) To prevent the chicken from reacting with the mustard mixture, brush the foil with oil before placing the chicken on top. This will help create a barrier to prevent the reaction.
Chicken thighs are great for reheating. Place them in a small casserole dish and cover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees until heated to 165 degrees F, about 25 minutes. You can also heat through in the microwave for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per chicken thigh on high power.
More Healthy Chicken Thigh Recipes:
Thanks so much for reading. If you are new here, you may want to sign up for my free weekly email newsletter where I share weeknight meal plans delivered right to your inbox. Or follow me on Instagram. If you make this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It is very appreciated. Happy Cooking! ~Katie
Description
These 5-ingredient honey mustard chicken thighs are so flavorful and easy to make, they will be one of those recipes that will be your new healthy basics. Just mix the ingredients together and bake them on a sheet pan and you have dinner ready just like that!
- 3 tablespoons brown deli mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs, about 2 pounds
- Preheat oven to 375ºF. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
- Whisk honey, mustard, thyme and salt in a medium bowl. Add chicken thighs and turn to coat. Arrange chicken on the parchment-lined baking sheet, tucking them into neat thigh shapes.
- Roast chicken until cooked through and browned in spots, 30 to 40 minutes *See note. Let rest 4 to 6 minutes before serving.
Notes
- I use a digital instant read thermometer to check that they’ve reached an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F.
To Make Ahead
- You can mix the chicken with the honey mustard mixture up to 1 day ahead and then bake them.
- Or they reheat really well. You can do so in the microwave, until they are steaming hot. Or you can set them in a pyrex baking dish and cover them with foil. Then just bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes until they are steaming hot.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 thigh
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 685 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
Keywords: honey mustard chicken thighs, healthy chicken thigh recipes,honey mustard chicken,baked honey mustard chicken,sheet pan honey mustard chicken
About the Author
Katie Webster
Katie Webster studied art and photography at Skidmore College and is a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute. She has been a professional recipe developer since 2001 when she first started working in the test kitchen at EatingWell magazine. Her recipes have been featured in numerous magazines including Shape, Fitness, Parents and several Edible Communities publications among others. Her cookbook, Maple Quirk Books was published in 2015. She launched Healthy Seasonal Recipes in 2009. She lives in Vermont with her husband, two teenage daughters and two yellow labs. In her free time, you can find her at the gym, cooking, stacking firewood, making maple syrup, and tending to her overgrown perennial garden.