Pan-Seared Chicken with Spicy Honey Mustard Glaze
Tender chicken breasts pan-seared to golden perfection and coated with a sweet and spicy honey mustard glaze that balances warmth and tang. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs olive oil, garlic cloves, minced, Dijon mustard for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides evenly with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp smoked paprika.
- 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 the first side without moving until golden and crisp along edges.
- Step 3: Flip chicken breasts and add 3 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 4-5 minutes more until an internal temperature of 165°F is reached and garlic is fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes until smooth.
- Step 5: Pour the honey mustard glaze over the chicken in the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 1-2 minutes, spooning the sauce over chicken until it thickens slightly and coats the meat.
- Step 6: Remove chicken from heat, let rest for 3 minutes, then slice and serve drizzled with remaining glaze.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Spicy Honey Mustard Glaze 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 Spicy 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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Spicy 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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Spicy Honey Mustard Glaze 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 Spicy 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.