Sautéed Chicken with Honey Mustard and Thyme Glaze
Tender chicken breasts pan-seared and finished with a sweet and tangy honey mustard thyme glaze for a flavorful weeknight dinner. This general-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs (about 6 oz each) chicken breasts, olive oil, minced garlic cloves 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 (about 6 oz each) chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 chicken breasts (about 6 oz each) and season both sides evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 6 minutes on the first side without moving, until golden brown and crispy at the edges. Flip and cook for another 5 minutes until cooked through and no longer pink inside.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine 3 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp honey, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves. Reduce heat to medium-low, pour the honey mustard mixture over the chicken in the skillet, and cook for 2 minutes, spooning the glaze over the chicken until thickened and glossy.
- Step 4: Remove chicken from heat and let rest for 3 minutes before slicing and serving with the pan sauce spooned on top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Chicken with Honey Mustard and Thyme 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 Sautéed Chicken with Honey Mustard and Thyme 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 Sautéed Chicken with Honey Mustard and Thyme 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 Sautéed Chicken with Honey Mustard and Thyme 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 Sautéed Chicken with Honey Mustard and Thyme Glaze?
General 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.