Baked Lemon-Herb Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze
Tender baked chicken breasts brushed with a tangy honey mustard glaze, complemented by fresh herbs and a hint of lemon zest. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs about 6 oz each chicken breasts, olive oil, lemon zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 290 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces, about 6 oz each chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 2 tbsp olive oil until smooth and glossy.
- Step 2: Pat dry 4 chicken breasts and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place chicken in a baking dish and brush half of the honey mustard glaze over the top.
- Step 3: Sprinkle 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves evenly over the chicken. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, then brush the remaining glaze over the chicken and bake for another 10 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is golden at the edges.
- Step 4: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Lemon-Herb Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Lemon-Herb Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Lemon-Herb Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Lemon-Herb Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Lemon-Herb Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze?
American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
