Description
This Honey Mustard Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts coated in a tangy and sweet mustard sauce, seared to golden perfection and baked to succulent finish. Perfect for a family dinner, it combines simple ingredients like spicy brown mustard, honey, and Italian seasoning to create a flavorful meal that’s both easy and satisfying.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 pounds chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Honey Mustard Sauce
- 1/4 cup spicy brown mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish or a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the spicy brown mustard, honey, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until fully combined to create a smooth, flavorful honey mustard sauce.
- Prepare the Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts and pound them to an even thickness of no more than one inch to ensure even cooking. Lightly season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for approximately 2 minutes on each side until they develop a light golden-brown crust.
- Assemble for Baking: Transfer the seared chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish or an oven-safe skillet. Spoon or pour the honey mustard sauce over the chicken, turning the pieces to coat them evenly on both sides.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to lock in moisture.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160°F (71°C), ensuring it is fully cooked.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow the juices to redistribute and ensure maximum tenderness and flavor.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to accurately check the internal temperature for perfectly cooked chicken.
- If chicken breasts vary in size, adjust baking time accordingly to avoid drying out smaller pieces.
- Pounding chicken breasts to even thickness helps them cook evenly and stay tender.
- The sauce can be doubled and saved for drizzling on salads or sandwiches.
- For a milder flavor, substitute spicy brown mustard with Dijon mustard.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
