Grilled honey mustard chicken is juicy, tender, and super flavorful thanks to the sweet and tangy honey mustard marinade! This simple grilled chicken recipe will be a summer staple!
If you love mustard try my creamy mustard chicken and sautéed chicken cutlets with honey mustard sauce!
Why You’ll Love Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken
Sweet and tangy – The marinade uses both dijon mustard and whole grain mustard giving it a great tangy flavor and texture. The honey balances out the tang of the mustard, resulting in the perfect sweet and savory marinade.
Tender and juicy – Anytime you marinate chicken it’s going to infuse it with more flavor and potentially help retain the moisture. This of course is dependent on if you cook the chicken properly and let it rest.
Summer dinner – The sweet and tangy flavors of this chicken pair perfectly with almost any side dish or salad that you make for your summer barbecues. I love serving it with this dill pickle pasta salad and berry fruit salad.
Ingredient Notes
Chicken – Chicken breasts or chicken thighs can be used.
Dijon mustard and whole grain mustard – The combination of the sharp flavor of dijon and the grainy texture of whole grain mustard is perfect for this marinade!
Honey – The sweetness balances the other flavors and gives the outside of the chicken caramelization as it cooks.
Lemon – Lemon juice adds a pop of fresh citrus flavor and acidity to the marinade.
Olive oil – Don’t skip the oil. It helps tenderize the chicken.
Smoked paprika and garlic powder – Smoked paprika adds a hint of smoky flavor. If you prefer to use fresh garlic, use one clove, minced or grated.
Tips for Grilling Chicken
- Use chicken breasts and/or thighs that are similar in size so they cook for approximately the same length of time.
- Pound out the thicker end of the chicken with a meat mallet or cut it into cutlets so it isn’t as thick. This will this reduce the cooking time and help the chicken cook evenly.
- Chicken doesn’t need to marinate overnight. Most marinades will infuse the chicken with enough flavor within a few hours. Depending on what’s in the marinade, if it sits in it too long the texture of the chicken can change.
- Don’t cook chicken when it’s ice cold straight from the fridge. Let it sit on the counter for 15-30 minutes before cooking it. Doing so helps the chicken to cook more evenly.
- Use a meat thermometer. A meat thermometer ensures that you cook the chicken all the way through. 165° F. it is when chicken fully cooked.
- Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting into it.
Substitutions
- Any cut of chicken can be used with this honey mustard marinade. I like boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs best.
- You can use just dijon or just whole grain mustard if you don’t want to use a combination of both mustards.
- For a sweeter marinade, add an extra tablespoon of honey.
- Maple syrup can be used instead of honey if you prefer.
Serving Suggestions
Storage
Grilled chicken will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the chicken for up to 3 months. Be sure it’s cooled completely before freezing so ice crystals don’t form.
The leftover chicken can be eaten cold or you can reheat it in the microwave.
More Grilled Chicken Recipes
During the summer I grill chicken at least once a week. It’s great for meal prep and there’s so many ways to season, marinate, and serve it.
Did you make this grilled honey mustard chicken? I’d love if you’d leave a recipe rating and review below.
Combine all of the marinade ingredients in a glass measuring cup or bowl and whisk together until combined.
Place the chicken breasts and marinade into a freezer bag. Seal the bag, pressing the air out as you do. Massage the marinade into the chicken then refrigerate it for at least an hour or overnight.
Preheat grill to 400° F. Oil the grates and place the chicken on them. Grill for 6-7 minutes then flip and grill another 5-6 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165° F. Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing it.
The grilled chicken will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze the chicken for up to 3 months.
Calories: 282kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 31gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 912mgPotassium: 566mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 176IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
