The Best Ever Honey-Mustard Glazed Chicken Thighs
Crispy-skinned chicken thighs glazed with a sweet-tangy honey-mustard sauce, served with roasted asparagus and lemon-dill rice for the most satisfying meal. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs chicken thighs, honey, Dijon mustard for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb asparagus
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 2 tbsp fresh dill
- 1 lemon
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and rub with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Let sit for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, and 1 tsp water in a small bowl until smooth.
- Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken skin-side down and cook for 6-7 minutes until golden brown and skin is crisp.
- Step 4: Flip chicken and cook for 2 more minutes. Brush with half the honey-mustard glaze.
- Step 5: Transfer skillet to a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven and bake for 20 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally.
- Step 6: While chicken bakes, toss asparagus with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Roast on a sheet pan at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Step 7: Cook rice according to package directions. Stir in 1 tbsp chopped dill and the zest of 1/2 lemon when serving.
- Step 8: Remove chicken from oven, brush with remaining glaze, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with asparagus and rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best Ever Honey-Mustard Glazed Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 The Best Ever Honey-Mustard Glazed Chicken Thighs?
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 chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Best Ever Honey-Mustard Glazed Chicken Thighs?
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 The Best Ever Honey-Mustard Glazed Chicken Thighs 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 The Best Ever Honey-Mustard Glazed Chicken Thighs?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.