Grilled Pecan-Smoked Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy grilled chicken breasts smoked over pecan wood and brushed with a sweet and tangy honey mustard glaze for a flavorful dinner. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs olive oil, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat grill to medium heat (around 350°F). Drain 2 cups soaked pecan wood chips and place them in a smoker box or foil pouch with holes to generate smoke.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp garlic powder. Rub this mixture evenly over 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts.
  3. Step 3: Place the chicken breasts on the grill grates and add the pecan wood chips to the heat source to create smoke. Cover and grill the chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, whisk together 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar to make the glaze.
  5. Step 5: During the last 5 minutes of grilling, brush the honey mustard glaze generously onto both sides of each chicken breast and continue grilling until the glaze is sticky and caramelized.
  6. Step 6: Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with your choice of sides.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Pecan-Smoked Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Grilled Pecan-Smoked 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 Grilled Pecan-Smoked 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 Grilled Pecan-Smoked 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 Grilled Pecan-Smoked 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.

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