Nothing beats the juicy, caramelized bites of chicken straight off the grill. This Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe hits all the right notes—sweet, tangy, and smoky with just a touch of spice. Trust me, it's a crowd-pleaser that’s simple enough for weeknights but special enough for weekend cookouts.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m genuinely excited to share this recipe because it strikes the perfect balance between simple prep and bold flavor. Over the years, it’s become my go-to when I want something that feels a little fancy but doesn’t keep me in the kitchen all day.
- Simple ingredients: You probably already have most of these in your pantry, which makes it easy to whip up anytime.
- Flavor-packed: The combination of three types of mustard with honey and herbs delivers layers of tang and sweetness that will surprise you.
- Juicy & tender chicken: Thanks to a careful grilling technique and a butter-enriched sauce, the chicken stays moist and delicious.
- Versatile: Whether you're hosting a barbecue or just cooking dinner for your family, this recipe fits in perfectly.
Ingredients & Why They Work
These ingredients come together beautifully, creating a sauce that’s sweet and tangy, enhanced by a subtle heat and herbaceousness. Picking quality chicken and balanced mustards is key here—don’t skimp on the Dijon and wholegrain for complexity.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: These cook evenly and absorb marinades well, making them perfect for grilling.
- Salt and freshly ground pepper: Basic, but essential for seasoning the chicken to enhance the flavors.
- Garlic powder: Adds a gentle aroma without overpowering the honey mustard sauce.
- Onion powder: Rounds out the seasoning base nicely.
- Dried thyme: Offers a fresh, slightly minty note that complements mustard.
- Dried basil: Adds a mild, sweet herbal flavor that blends well with the spices.
- Honey: The star ingredient for sweetness and caramelization on the grill.
- Butter (melted): Makes the sauce rich and helps keep the chicken juicy.
- Dijon mustard: Provides a sharp, creamy tang.
- Yellow mustard: Mild and bright, balancing the Dijon and wholegrain mustards.
- Wholegrain mustard: Adds texture and a robust mustard flavor.
- Hot sauce (optional): Brings in a gentle kick that wakes up the flavors but isn’t overpowering.
- White vinegar: Offers a touch of acidity to brighten the sauce.
- Paprika: Adds mild smokiness and color.
Make It Your Way
I love to mix things up depending on the season or the crowd I’m feeding. This grilled honey mustard chicken is forgiving enough that a few tweaks won't mess it up—so feel free to experiment!
- Variation: I sometimes swap the chicken breasts for thighs if I want a juicier, richer flavor, especially for casual summer dinners.
- For extra smokiness: Try adding a bit of smoked paprika or even a dash of liquid smoke to the sauce.
- For milder flavor: Skip the hot sauce or reduce it to make the sauce kid-friendly.
- Herb remix: Fresh rosemary or oregano makes a nice change from dried thyme and basil if you have them on hand.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Season the Chicken Right
Start by seasoning your chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and dried basil. Make sure to coat each piece evenly—this seasoning base is what helps bring out the best flavor once it hits the grill. I usually prepare this in a shallow dish and let it rest for a few minutes while I make the sauce. This step helps the spices stick and penetrates the meat just a bit.
Step 2: Whisk Up That Magic Honey Mustard Sauce
Mix together honey, melted butter, Dijon mustard, yellow mustard, wholegrain mustard, white vinegar, paprika, and hot sauce (if you’re using it). Whisk until it’s smooth and shiny. This sauce doubles as both the marinade and the basting glaze, so it’s important that all those flavors fully marry at this stage.
Step 3: Prepare Your Grill and Start Grilling
Preheat your gas grill to medium-high heat and brush the grates with vegetable oil to prevent the chicken from sticking. Place the chicken breasts on the grill for about 2 minutes on each side just to get a nice sear. This initial browning locks in juices and gives you those beautiful grill marks we all love.
Step 4: Baste and Cook Through
Brush the chicken liberally with half of your honey mustard sauce and close the lid. Let it cook for about 7 minutes, then flip, baste again, and cook for an additional 5 to 6 minutes. Keep an eye on the internal temperature—it should reach 165°F for safe and juicy results. Remember, thicker breasts need just a bit longer, so don’t rush the process.
Step 5: Rest and Serve
Once off the grill, transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for about 8 minutes. This little wait lets the juices redistribute, so your chicken stays tender and moist. Slice it up, serve with the reserved honey mustard sauce, and watch everyone dig in!
Top Tip
From making this Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe dozens of times, I've gathered a few insider tips that really make a difference between just good and absolutely amazing.
- Don’t skip resting: It’s tempting to serve right off the grill, but resting the chicken makes the meat juicier and more flavorful.
- Keep a basting reserve: Always save some honey mustard sauce for serving so every bite stays vibrant.
- Oil those grates: A well-oiled grill prevents sticking and helps you get those perfect sear marks without tearing the meat.
- Use a thermometer: Guessing chicken doneness can be tricky; an instant-read thermometer takes the guesswork out and keeps it juicy.
How to Serve Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top the sliced chicken with some freshly chopped parsley or chives for a pop of color and freshness. A light sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds adds a nice crunch and hints at a nutty flavor that pairs surprisingly well with the mustard.
Side Dishes
My favorite sides to accompany this are grilled vegetables like asparagus or zucchini, which complement the smoky flavors beautifully. Simple garlic roasted potatoes or a tangy coleslaw are great too—something crisp to balance the richness of the chicken.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, I like to slice the chicken and serve it over a bed of mixed greens with roasted nuts and thin apple slices. It turns a simple recipe into a colorful, restaurant-style plate that’s sure to impress without a ton of extra work.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover grilled honey mustard chicken in an airtight container in the fridge, where it keeps beautifully for up to 3 days. It stays moist and flavorful — perfect for quick lunches or to toss into salads.
Freezing
Freezing works well too! Just wrap portions tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to keep the texture intact.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers gently in a covered skillet over medium-low heat to avoid drying out the chicken. Adding a splash of water or broth helps keep things moist. Microwaving works but watch closely to avoid overcooking.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a bit fattier and juicier. Just adjust cooking times slightly since thighs can take a bit longer to cook through.
While it's designed for gas grills, you can also use a charcoal grill for that extra smoky flavor—just watch your cooking times closely and manage your heat zones.
Yes! You can whisk the sauce together a day ahead and keep it refrigerated. Just give it a quick stir before using it to baste or serve.
Use an instant-read thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F. This ensures the chicken is safe to eat but still juicy.
Final Thoughts
This Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe holds a warm spot in my heart because it’s like a hug from the grill—comforting, flavorful, and just so satisfying. Next time you want an easy recipe to impress your family or friends, give this one a try. I promise you’ll enjoy every juicy, sweet, tangy bite just as much as I do.
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Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Description
This Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken recipe features juicy, tender boneless chicken breasts coated in a flavorful honey mustard sauce. The marinade combines honey, three types of mustard, melted butter, and a hint of heat from hot sauce, perfectly complementing the herbs and spices on the chicken. Grilled over medium-high heat, this dish is easy to prepare and perfect for a delicious summer dinner.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
For the Sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon wholegrain mustard
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce, optional
- ½ teaspoon white vinegar
- ⅛ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your gas grill to medium-high heat to ensure a perfect sear on the chicken breasts.
- Season the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, freshly ground pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and dried basil. Set aside while you prepare the honey mustard sauce.
- Make the Honey Mustard Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, melted butter, Dijon mustard, yellow mustard, wholegrain mustard, hot sauce (if using), white vinegar, and paprika until smooth and well combined.
- Reserve Basting Sauce: Remove ¼ cup of the honey mustard sauce into a separate bowl for basting the chicken while grilling. Keep the rest aside to serve as a dipping sauce later.
- Prepare the Grill Grates: Brush the grill grates with vegetable oil to prevent the chicken from sticking during grilling.
- Start Grilling: Place the seasoned chicken breasts on the hot grill. Brown the chicken for 2 minutes on one side, then turn over and brown for an additional 2 minutes on the other side.
- Baste and Cook: Brush half of the reserved honey mustard basting sauce all over the chicken breasts. Close the grill lid and cook the chicken for 7 minutes to start the cooking process.
- Flip and Continue Grilling: Open the grill, flip the chicken breasts, and brush them with the remaining basting sauce. Continue cooking for another 5 to 6 minutes or until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165˚F, indicating it is fully cooked. Thicker breasts may require additional time.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the grill and transfer it to a cutting board. Let the chicken rest for 8 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Serve: Slice the rested chicken breasts and serve them warm with the remaining honey mustard sauce as a flavorful dip.
Notes
- Using a meat thermometer ensures perfectly cooked chicken without drying it out.
- If you prefer less heat, omit the hot sauce from the honey mustard sauce.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute melted butter with olive oil.
- You can marinate the chicken in the honey mustard sauce for up to 2 hours before grilling for enhanced flavor.
- Brush grill grates with oil to prevent sticking and achieve nice grill marks.
- Resting the chicken after grilling keeps it juicy and tender.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
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