SWEET AND SPICY HONEY DIJON GLAZED CHICKEN

Need an easy chicken dinner recipe? Try this Honey Dijon Chicken! It’s ready in under 30 minutes and is so flavorful!

These Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs are a quick, easy, flavor packed dinner on your table in 30 minutes โ€“ no marinade required! Readerโ€™s call them โ€œPhenomenal,โ€ โ€œamazing,โ€ โ€œfantastic,โ€ โ€œfavorite.โ€ The secret is to spice rub the chicken (no bland chicken here!) before broiling for exciting caramelized goodness, then finish with a sweet, spicy (optional), tangy glaze that will have everyone asking for seconds!

pile of honey dijon chicken thighs on a white platter. Glaze is being poured over top.


 

This Honey Dijon Chicken is delicious and simple to make!

It is practically Spring, which means its practically summer, which means its almost time to get out the grill!  Isn’t it crazy how time flies!  Pretty soon I am going to be swapping all my slow cooker and soup recipes for grills, marinades and salads.  In the meantime, however, I want to share my new favorite method of preparing chicken when it has a spice rub and a glaze but its too cold to grill, don’t have a grill, or you simply want to cook indoors.

I discovered this method from Cooking Light and I cannot believe how easy it is.  It might be old news to a lot of you, but it is old news worth getting giddy over.   You simply rub chicken thighs with olive oil combined with your favorite spice rub and broil for 6 minutes on each side – that’s it!  You can glaze the chicken with whatever you like half way through cooking and/or at the end of cooking.  

Dinner was never so easy.  Giddy, no?

pile of honey dijon chicken thighs on a white platter.

These Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs are deliciously easy!

  • QUICK: 12 minutes cook time!
  • EASY: Rub the chicken, whisk the sauce together. Drool.
  • SPICE RUBBED: Unlike other recipes, the chicken is spice rubbed for multi-dimensional flavor.
  • VERSATILE: Use the spices/glaze on any cut of chicken, pork, fish or steak.
  • CROWD PLEASER: The honey mustard glaze will have everyone licking their plates.
  • MAKE IT YOUR OWN: Serve the chicken with your favorite sides or in salads, wraps, bowls, etc.

Dijon Chicken Recipe Ingredients

This sweet and spicy chicken is flavored with both a dry rub and a honey mustard sauce. Here’s everything you’ll need to make this Dijon mustard chicken:

  • Chicken thighs: Normally you can substitute chicken breasts for chicken thighs, but in this recipe thighs are a must! They remain tender and juicy after being broiled, whereas chicken breasts tend to dry out.
  • Olive oil: You may use another neutral oil, if desired.
  • Spices: The chicken rub is packed with garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, smoked paprika, and chipotle chili powder.
  • Honey: Sweetens the honey mustard chicken sauce.
  • Mustard: I used a blend of Dijon and yellow mustards.
  • Apple cider vinegar: You need some extra tang to balance out the honey mustard mixture.
  • Lemon juice: Brightens up the sauce without making it taste lemony.
A dijon mustard chicken thigh on a white plate with veggies and rice.

How to make Honey Glazed Chicken

  1. To make this scrumdidilouso Honey Dijon Glazed Chicken, combine olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, regular paprika and smoked paprika and chipotle powder in a bowl then rub it all over your chicken.  
  2. Broil chicken for 6 minutes per side, then brush with your Honey Dijon Sauce and broil for 1-2 more minute or until nicely browned.
  3. The Honey Dijon Sauce is a simple whisking of honey, Dijon mustard, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar and a splash of lemon juice.  It is sweet with a punch of acidity to balance out the honey and perfectly complements the bold rub spices.
top view of raw chicken thighs rubbed with spices.
  1. Lastly, spoon the remaining Honey Dijon Glaze over the cooked chicken and dig in to juicy Honey Dijon Glazed Chicken!

That’s it for easy peasy and so delish Honey Dijon Glazed Chicken!  The chicken alone is tender, juicy and packed with flavor.  The Honey Dijon Sauce is sweet and tangy and intoxicating delicious.  Together, they will blow your mind.  

top view of baked sweet and spicy chicken on a baking sheet.

Prepping Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs in advance

This sweet and spicy chicken comes together so quickly that there’s really no need to prep anything in advance. However, if you’re looking to save a few minutes later on you can prep the following:

  • Spice rub: Measure out the spices and store in a plastic baggie or a glass container.
  • Honey mustard sauce: Whisk together the sauce and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. You may need to give it a stir before using in the recipe later on.

Tips for making Honey Mustard Chicken

A word about this cooking method – it is important that you use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts.  Not only are chicken thighs more flavorful, but most importantly, they will remain tender and juicy after cooking at such a a high temperature whereas chicken breasts will dry out.  

You will want to trim your chicken thighs of excess fat before smothering in the rub.  I like to use my kitchen shears to make this super quick.

If you don’t like spice at all, you can can completely omit the chipotle chili powder but I don’t find ½ teaspoon very spicy and would still consider it family friendly.  If you love spicy, you can increase the chipotle chili powder to 1 teaspoon.

pile of honey dijon chicken thighs on a white platter. Glaze is being poured over top.

Dijon Chicken Recipe variations

  • Use different mustard(s). The easiest way to switch up the flavor of this spicy honey chicken is to use a mix of different mustards. I always combine mustards because I find that using just one type doesn’t create a deep enough flavor.
  • Use your favorite chicken rub. I LOVE the spice rub used on this honey Dijon chicken, but you can try experimenting with a store-bought spice blend as well.
  • Make it spicy. Amp up the chipotle chili powder in the honey mustard chicken sauce to make it a spicy-sweet dish.

What to serve with Honey Mustard Chicken

This sweet and spicy chicken pairs perfectly with just about any side! Here are some recipes you can make to round out your meal:

top view of dijon mustard chicken thighs on a white plate with a fork.

How to store glazed Mustard Chicken Thighs

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll last up to 5 days.

CAN I FREEZE DIJON MUSTARD CHICKEN?

Cook as instructed and then let the chicken cool completely before sealing in a freezer bag. Frozen chicken will last up to 3 months. To thaw, place in the fridge overnight.

How to reheat Honey Dijon Chicken

  • Microwave: Be careful when reheating chicken in the microwave as it can easily become rubbery. Reheat for 30-second intervals until warm.
  • Stove: Warm the Dijon mustard chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat.
A dijon mustard chicken thigh on a white plate with veggies and rice.

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Sweet, Spicy and Tangy Honey Dijon Glazed Chicken is quick and easy and packed with flavor! The chicken thighs are rubbed in spices, cooked under the broiler for 10 minutes and glazed with the most incredible sauce!

SWEET AND SPICY HONEY DIJON GLAZED CHICKEN

Servings: 4 -6 servings
Total Time: 28 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 13 minutes

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Ingredients

  • 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed

Chicken Rub

Honey Dijon Glaze

  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with foil (not parchment paper) and lightly spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the Chicken Rub Ingredients and evenly rub all over chicken. Place chicken on prepared baking sheet.
  • Move oven rack to top position and broil chicken for 6 minutes on each side (12 minutes total).
  • Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the Honey Dijon Sauce ingredients.
  • Remove chicken from oven and brush top side with Honey Dijon Sauce; broil 1-2 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
  • Brush individual servings with remaining Honey Dijon Sauce as desired.

Notes

*It is not too spicy with only ½ teaspoon chipotle chile powder – just flavorful. If you really like heat, then increase chipotle chile powder to 1 teaspoon.
**For even more flavorful chicken, cover with rub and refrigerate up to 24 hours then bring to room temperature before broiling.

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67 Comments

  1. Jessi says

    So flavorful and i use the sauce for salad dressing. Yum!

    • Jen says

      That is a brilliant idea to use the sauce for salad dressing – I wouldn’t have thought of that but now I am plotting! Thanks for a great idea!

    • Nathan Stoakes says

      What temperature do you set your oven too

      • Jen says

        I would broil it at 500 degrees F. Hope you enjoy!

  2. Simone says

    So good ty. My chicken.came out perfect.

    • Jen says

      You are so welcome! I’m so happy it was a winner!

  3. Mandy says

    My chicken looked and tasted AMAZING!! As always thank you for another great dinner ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Jen says

      You are so welcome Mandy, I’m thrilled it was a hit! Thanks for taking the time to comment!

  4. Cyndi says

    I love this recipe but what would you serve with this to make it a dinner with friends?

  5. Tracey Hewison says

    I only had breasts in the fridge and *someone* forgot to tell me they’d thrown out the last of the dijon from the fridge, so I had to improvise ๐Ÿ™‚ I added Keen’s dry mustard powder in place of the missing dijon and I put the rub on the chicken breasts and cooked them en papillote. Then I took them out and put on a baking sheet sprayed with olive oil, brushed them with the sauce and broiled. They were still lovely and tender and my son said it was the best chicken he’d ever had. I was a little less enthused and really feel it did need the dijon and will for sure use some thighs next time, I’m sure they’ll be delicious! Served with the men’s favourite (I’m Canadian, we put a ‘u’ with everything, ha ha!) baked cauliflower and an apple walnut greens salad. Thanks for the recipe!

    • Jen says

      Hi Tracey, I’m so happy your son said it was the “best chicken he’d ever had!” and hopefully next time with the Dijon and chicken thighs you will feel the same ๐Ÿ™‚ You whole meal sounds delicious!

  6. John Rockett says

    Can you make this recipe on the grill?

  7. Evi says

    This recipe is amazing and so full of flavour! My sister doesnโ€™t usually eat chicken but kept asking for more!! It was a hit and I canโ€™t wait to make it again.

    • Jen says

      That is amazing Evi, thank you! I’m so pleased this recipe won over even a non-chicken eater!

  8. Bernadette says

    Everything thing I make of yours is a huge hit in my home. This recipe came together so quickly,I almost didn’t get to make the sides! My family loved it! You are blessed with a gift. Thank you โค๏ธ

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much for your kind words Bernadette! I’m so pleased you’re enjoying my recipes and that this was another winner!

  9. judy says

    Would chicken breast work in this recipe? Thanks.

    • Jen says

      Yes! I would bake until cooked through, abut 30 minutes depending on thickness, then add the glaze and broil.

  10. Melissa says

    Can you freeze the uncooked chicken in the marinade?

  11. Cheryl L. says

    I donโ€™t know how you do it but every recipe I try is absolutely delicious! Made this tonight and was a big hit with the family. Will be making this again.

    • Jen says

      Happy to hear this will be a repeat! Thank you so much, Cheryl, I’m thrilled this was such a hit!

  12. Jan T says

    My family really liked this. Please tell me the distance between your broiler element and your top rack and also your temperature for the broiler. We started a fire within 3 min. Perhaps this could be the reason why. I plan to make it again but I’d ike to adjust those two factors

    • Jen says

      Hi Jan! Sorry about the delay in response! It’s about 4 inches from the broiler. Broil the chicken without the sauce until after cooking for 6 minutes on each side and then add the sauce. Also, broil should be on low-medium which is 400-450. I hope that helps!

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