Honey Mustard Chicken

5 from 1 vote
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Did you grow up eating chicken tenders dipped in honey mustard? This One Skillet Honey Mustard Chicken & Rice dish is the grown-up version of just that! It’s nostalgic, saucy, and hits that sweet and savoury balance you’ll love. And music to everyone’s ears — it comes together in one pan!

A cast iron skillet filled with golden-brown, honey mustard chicken thighs and rice, garnished with chopped herbs, sits on a light surface.

This recipe combines golden-seared chicken thighs, fluffy rice, and a garlicky honey Dijon sauce. Then everything gets baked until it’s all tender, glossy, and so flavourful. This honey mustard chicken recipe keeps things simple without sacrificing flavour. The sauce does most of the heavy lifting here, while it seasons the chicken and cooks into the rice to flavour everything with its savoury, slightly sweet deliciousness. It’s an ideal dish for busy weeknights that the whole family will love. Want similar recipes? Try my Pretzel Crusted Chicken with Spicy Honey Mustard or my Blackened Chicken Alfredo.

😍 Why You’ll Love This One Skillet Honey Mustard Chicken & Rice

True one-pan dinner: everything cooks in a single skillet, which means less clean-up.
Sweet & savoury balance: honey, Dijon, garlic, and herbs come together for a sauce that’s bold and delicious.
Juicy, tender chicken: searing first locks in flavour, then the oven finishes everything perfectly.
Weeknight-friendly: simple ingredients, straightforward steps, and no complicated techniques.

🍯 Ingredients To Make This Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe

Olive oil: Used both for marinating and for searing the chicken, helping build flavour right from the start.
Chicken thighs: Boneless, skinless thighs stay juicy and tender while holding up to searing and baking.
Salt & pepper: Simple seasoning that lets the honey mustard shine without overpowering it.
Honey: Adds natural sweetness that balances the sharpness of the Dijon and helps create a glossy, caramelized sauce.
Dijon mustard: The base of the honey mustard marinade, giving the dish its signature tangy, savoury flavour.
Garlic: Minced fresh, it mellows and sweetens as it bakes.

Onion powder: Adds subtle savoury depth without the need for chopping.
Cayenne pepper: Just a pinch for gentle heat.
Dried thyme: Brings an herby, slightly earthy note that pairs great with honey mustard.
Jasmine rice: Fragrant, fluffy, and ideal for soaking up all the flavour as it cooks.
Chicken broth: Forms the cooking liquid for the rice, adding richness and seasoning throughout.
Ground mustard: Reinforces the mustard flavour in the rice.
Fresh parsley: A simple garnish that adds freshness and colour at the end.

✔ How To Make This Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe

Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F. In a bowl, whisk together all of the honey mustard marinade ingredients.

Prepare your chicken thighs by seasoning both sides with salt and pepper then add them to a medium sized bowl. Pour in half of the honey mustard marinade and gently mix to combine ensuring each piece of chicken is coated. Set the remaining marinade aside.

Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat with your olive oil. Sear the thighs for 1-2 minutes per side just until they have a nice golden crust. They should still be raw in the middle (don’t worry about fully cooking the chicken in this step, they will finish in the oven).
Take the chicken out of the pan and set it aside on a plate. Do not wipe out the pan.

Reduce the heat to medium then add the rinsed rice and ground mustard directly into the skillet. Stir for 1–2 minutes, allowing the rice to “toast”. Pour the chicken broth and the reserved half of the honey mustard marinade into the skillet. Stir well, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any bits. Bring the liquid to a light simmer.

Nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the pan, sitting them right on top of the rice and broth. Pour in any juices that collected on the plate.

Cover the skillet tightly with a lid or aluminum foil and bake for 25–30 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and no liquid remains. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy right away!

Close-up of golden-brown Honey Mustard Chicken thighs on a bed of seasoned rice, garnished with freshly chopped parsley. The dish looks flavorful with a slightly crispy texture and vibrant colors.

🗒 Variations

A little heat: Add an extra pinch of cayenne or a few red pepper flakes to the marinade if you like a gentle kick.
Herb swap: Rosemary or oregano could work in place of thyme if that’s what you have on hand.
Crispy top finish: Uncover the skillet for the last 5 minutes of baking if you want slightly crispier chicken edges.

🗒 Substitutions

Chicken breasts: You can swap in boneless, skinless chicken breasts, just keep an eye on them so they don’t overcook.
Rice: Long-grain white rice works well if you don’t have jasmine. Avoid short-grain or instant rice here.
Broth: Vegetable broth can be used in place of chicken broth.
Mustard: Whole-grain Dijon works too for a slightly more textured sauce.

🍴 Leftovers? Lucky You.

This honey mustard chicken and rice reheats really well. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a small splash of broth or water and warm gently in the microwave or on the stove so the rice stays fluffy and moist.

🤔 FAQ’S

Can I marinate the chicken ahead of time?

Yes! You can marinate the chicken in the honey mustard mixture for up to 12 hours in the fridge. Just keep the reserved marinade separate for the rice.

Do I need an oven-safe skillet?

Ideally yes. A cast iron or stainless steel skillet works best. If yours isn’t oven-safe, transfer everything to a baking dish before putting it in the oven.

Why sear the chicken first?

Searing builds flavour and gives the chicken a nice golden crust before it finishes cooking in the oven.

Can I double the recipe?

Definitely! Just make sure you’re using a large enough skillet or baking dish so the rice cooks evenly.

Can I make this honey mustard chicken recipe dairy-free?

Good news — it already is! Just double-check your broth and Dijon to make sure there are no hidden dairy ingredients.

👩🏻‍🍳 Hungry For More?

If you loved this Honey Mustard Chicken recipe, then make sure to check out a few of my other chicken recipes you may also love:

💌 Let’s Stay Connected

Keep in touch with me on Instagram, TikTokFacebook, and Pinterest! If you do make this honey mustard chicken recipe (or any recipe of mine) don’t forget to leave a review.

A black skillet filled with baked orzo and browned honey mustard chicken thighs, garnished with chopped herbs, sits on a light surface next to a jar of honey with a dipper and a folded kitchen towel.
5 from 1 vote

One Skillet Honey Mustard Chicken & Rice

Juicy, golden-seared chicken thighs bake right on top of tender rice that soaks up a sweet and tangy honey mustard sauce, all in a single skillet. It’s cozy, flavorful, and comes together with minimal prep and barely any dishes to clean.
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Equipment

  • 1 large oven safe pan/skillet
  • 1 large mixing bowl

Ingredients 

Chicken Thighs

  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil, for frying the chicken
  • 8 chicken thighs, boneless & skinless
  • salt and pepper

Honey Mustard Marinade

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup dijon mustard
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Rice

  • cups jasmine rice, rinsed
  • cups chicken broth, salted
  • 1/4 tsp ground mustard
  • fresh parsley, used to garnish at the end

Instructions 

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F.
  • In a bowl, whisk together all of the honey mustard marinade ingredients.
  • Prepare your chicken thighs by seasoning both sides with salt and pepper then add them to a medium sized bowl.
    Pour in half of the honey mustard marinade and gently mix to combine ensuring each piece of chicken is coated.
    Set the remaining marinade aside.
  • Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat with your vegetable oil.
    Sear the thighs for 1-2 minutes per side just until they have a nice golden crust.
    They should still be raw in the middle (don't worry about fully cooking the chicken in this step, they will finish in the oven).
    Take the chicken out of the pan and set it aside on a plate. Do not wipe out the pan.
  • Reduce the heat to medium then add the rinsed rice and ground mustard directly into the skillet.
    Stir for 1–2 minutes, allowing the rice to "toast".
  • Pour the chicken broth and the reserved half of the honey mustard marinade into the skillet. Stir well, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any bits.
    Bring the liquid to a light simmer for about 5 minutes.
  • Nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the pan, sitting them right on top of the rice and broth. Pour in any juices that collected on the plate.
  • Cover the skillet tightly with a lid or aluminum foil and bake for 20–25 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and no liquid remains.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy right away!

Nutrition

Calories: 478kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 622mg | Potassium: 319mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 112IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 478
Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!

About Sammy Montgoms

I am so glad you are here. I am a BIG foodie gal. I am one of those people who lives to eat, rather than eats to live. I love to create nostalgic Italian dishes (especially pasta), but I also love to whip up simple and quick recipes for my family. Hopefully, my page inspires you to do the same. Thank you for being here, and happy eating!

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