Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Crispy Skin

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

Juicy chicken thighs with golden crispy skin coated in a tangy honey-mustard glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the pan. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs with paper towels and season evenly with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper on both sides.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 7-8 minutes without moving until skin is deep golden brown and crispy.
  3. Step 3: Flip chicken thighs and cook for 5 minutes on the other side until mostly cooked through.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 2 minced garlic cloves until combined.
  5. Step 5: Reduce heat to medium-low, spoon the honey-mustard glaze over the chicken thighs, and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, spooning the glaze continuously to coat the chicken and thicken the sauce until it coats the back of a spoon.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Crispy Skin take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 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 Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Crispy Skin?

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 salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Crispy Skin?

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 Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Crispy Skin 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 Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Crispy Skin?

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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