Juicy Oven-Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Breasts in Under 40 Minutes

Preheat your oven to 200 °C (400 °F). Lightly grease a baking dish with a little olive oil.

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, and smoked paprika until smooth.

Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.

Place the chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish in a single layer. Spoon the honey-mustard mixture evenly over the top of each breast.

Bake on the middle rack for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 74 °C (165 °F) and the sauce is bubbly.

Switch the oven to broil, and broil for 1–2 minutes—watching carefully—until the topping is lightly caramelised.

Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves before serving.

Enjoy these juicy, sweet-and-tangy baked honey mustard chicken breasts with your favourite sides!

1. Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor
2.  With just a handful of pantry staples—honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, and smoked paprika—you transform plain chicken into an irresistible main course. This is the ultimate easy-baked chicken breast  recipe for busy cooks.
3. Juicy, Tender Chicken Every Time
4.  By baking at a hot 400 °F and finishing under the broiler, the chicken remains moist inside while the glaze caramelizes on top. Say goodbye to dry chicken breasts and hello to the best juicy baked chicken recipe .
5. Versatile and Customizable
6.  Serve these honey mustard chicken breasts  alongside roasted vegetables, over rice bowls, or shredded into salads. You can even double the batch for meal-prep baked chicken lunches  that reheat perfectly.

To make this simple honey mustard chicken , you'll need:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts  (about 1½ pounds / 600 g)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper  to taste
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves  (or ½ teaspoon dried) for garnish

These ingredients create a balanced honey mustard chicken breast marinade  that's sweet, tangy, and slightly smoky.

• Preheat your oven to 400 °F (200 °C) .
• Lightly grease a 9×13-inch (or similar size) baking dish with a teaspoon of olive oil.

In a small bowl, combine:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 minced garlic clove
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
•  Whisk until smooth. This easy honey mustard chicken sauce  will coat each breast with delicious flavor.

• Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels—this helps the glaze stick.
• Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

• Place the chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish in a single layer.
• Spoon the honey mustard mixture evenly over the top of each breast, using the back of the spoon to spread it toward the edges.
• Bake on the middle rack for 20–25 minutes  or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C) .

• Switch the oven to Broil  (high setting).
• Broil the chicken for 1–2 minutes , observing, until the glaze bubbles and turns golden brown. This last step creates the signature caramelized honey mustard crust .

• Remove the dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes  to lock in juices.
• Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves before serving to add a bright herbal note.

• Even Thickness : Pound thicker ends of the chicken breasts to a uniform thickness to ensure even baking and prevent overcooked edges.
• Use a Meat Thermometer : For consistent results, insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast and pull the chicken at 165 °F.
• Room-Temperature Chicken : Let your chicken sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before baking to reduce cooking time and avoid dryness.
• Extra Glaze : If you prefer more sauce, double the honey mustard glaze ingredients and reserve half for drizzling before serving.

This baked honey mustard chicken  shines with a variety of easy sides:

• Roasted Vegetables : Toss Brussels sprouts, carrots, or green beans in olive oil and roast alongside the chicken.
• Mashed Potatoes : Creamy garlic mashed potatoes absorb the sweet mustard sauce beautifully.
• Quinoa or Rice Bowls : Slice the chicken and serve over fluffy quinoa or jasmine rice with steamed broccoli for a healthy baked chicken bowl .
• Fresh Garden Salad : Mix greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette for a crisp contrast.

1. Spicy Honey Mustard Chicken
2.  Stir ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or hot sauce into the glaze for a kick. Search for a spicy baked chicken breast recipe  for more heat-forward ideas.
3. Herb-Infused Baked Chicken
4.  Add 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or oregano to the honey mustard mixture for a fragrant twist on this herb-baked chicken breast recipe .
5. Breadcrumb-Crunch Topping
6.  Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs mixed with a dash of Parmesan cheese on top of the glazed chicken before baking. This makes an oven-baked chicken breast with a crispy topping  that kids love.

• Refrigerate : Cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Store for up to 4 days .
• Freeze : Place in freezer-safe bags, removing as much air as possible for up to 3 months . Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• Reheat : Warm in a 325 °F oven, covered with foil, for 10–15 minutes or until heated. To keep the crust crisp, re-broil for 1 minute at the end.