Pan-Seared Chicken with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Toasted Sesame
Tender chicken breasts pan-seared and finished with a sweet and tangy honey-mustard glaze, accented by toasted sesame seeds for a subtle crunch. This asian fusion-inspired chicken ready in about 25 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 350 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 2 pieces (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
- Step 3: While the chicken cooks, whisk together 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tbsp soy sauce in a small bowl until smooth.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low and pour the honey-mustard glaze over the chicken in the skillet. Spoon the glaze over the chicken continuously for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the chicken.
- Step 5: Sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds evenly over the glazed chicken, remove from heat, and let rest for 3 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Toasted Sesame take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Toasted Sesame?
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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Toasted Sesame?
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 with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Toasted Sesame for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Toasted Sesame?
Asian Fusion 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.
