Description

This Simple Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs recipe features juicy, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs baked to perfection with a sweet and tangy honey mustard glaze. The combination of honey, Dijon mustard, and garlic creates a flavorful marinade that caramelizes beautifully in the oven, resulting in crispy skin and tender meat. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner with minimal prep and easy ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4-6 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

Honey Mustard Glaze

1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard or yellow mustard
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
1/2 teaspoon pepper (to taste)

Optional Garnish

Fresh herbs (parsley or thyme)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the chicken thighs evenly.
Prepare Glaze: In a medium-sized bowl, combine honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and minced garlic. Whisk together until the mixture is smooth and well blended, creating the flavorful honey mustard glaze.
Dry Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels; this helps achieve crispy skin during baking.
Season Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken thighs with salt and pepper according to your taste preference.
Arrange Chicken: Place the chicken thighs skin side up in a baking dish, arranging them so the heat circulates evenly.
Glaze Chicken: Pour the honey mustard mixture over the chicken thighs, ensuring each piece is well coated for maximum flavor.
Bake Chicken: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes. Begin checking for doneness at the 35-minute mark by ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Baste Midway: Halfway through the baking time, baste the chicken with the pan juices to keep it moist and flavorful.
Broil for Crispiness: For an extra crispy skin, turn on the broiler for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
Rest Chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute for tender, juicy meat.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme if desired, and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

For even crispier skin, make sure the chicken thighs are thoroughly dried before seasoning.
If you prefer a spicier twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the glaze.
This recipe can be doubled to serve a larger group; just use a larger baking dish and increase cooking time slightly if needed.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through to maintain crispy skin.