The Best Honey Mustard Chicken Marinade

A delicious and simple marinade is the perfect way to take your weeknight chicken dinners to the next level. And what could be better than a tangy honey mustard marinade that is perfect for baked and grilled chicken? This is The Best Honey Mustard Chicken Marinade recipe, and it turns out perfect no matter how you prepare it. It’s made with only 8 simple ingredients and can easily be meal-prepped ahead of time, so you’ll have the perfect chicken on hand whenever the craving strikes!

Whenever I’ve gotten to the end of the workday and I’m trying to figure out what to make my family for dinner, my mind immediately goes to chicken. Chicken is simple to prepare, relatively affordable to buy, and I always have either chicken breast or thighs stored in my freezer. But with so many different ways to prepare chicken, finding the perfect method can feel intimidating. That’s where this recipe comes in.

This recipe can be made with either chicken breast or thighs, and consists of a no-fuss marinade that comes together in a matter of seconds. What could be better than that? Plus, it reminds me of a healthier take on chicken nuggets dipped in honey mustard sauce. When I was in law school, I often found myself grabbing McDonalds as a quick and cheap late night meal. And, when I’d go there, I’d always get an order of chicken nuggets with a side of honey mustard sauce. This recipe has all of the flavors that I loved about that classic combination, but made with much healthier ingredients. Plus, it also costs a fraction of the price!

No matter how you decide to prepare the chicken, this marinade will work well. You can bake it, grill it, roast it, or fry it. But when it comes to my favorite preparation, it has to be my signature method for How to Make The Perfectly Juicy Chicken. It’s so simple and easy, and is practically a fool-proof method for making moist, juicy chicken, every single time.

8 Ingredients Needed to Make This Perfectly Tangy Chicken Recipe

• Chicken Breast or Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: The best part of this recipe is that it can be made with either chicken breast or chicken thighs – both work just as well! I recommend using whatever you have on-hand, in your freezer, to keep things as simple and easy for yourself as possible!
• Whole Grain Mustard: Whole grain mustard is key to making this marinade. It adds the perfect amount of tang and texture to make this chicken truly shine.
• Honey: A little touch of honey helps to balance out the tanginess of the mustard without making the marinade too sweet.
• Olive Oil: Olive oil, or any other high-quality oil (like avocado oil) is perfect for this recipe.
• Garlic: I will always recommend using fresh garlic, in this recipe, for the best and freshest flavor!
• Seasonings: To perfectly season this marinade, you’ll need paprika, kosher salt, and ground black pepper.

How to Make This Simple & Easy Make-Ahead Chicken

To make this chicken, start by preparing the marinade. Add all of the marinade ingredients to a small bowl and whisk them until they’re fully combined. Next, prepare the chicken. Dry the chicken thoroughly with a paper towel and place it into a glass container. Then, pour the marinade on top of the chicken.

Place the container in the fridge and allow the chicken to sit in marinade for a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum time of 24 hours. The longer the chicken marinates, the juicier and more tender it will be! If you want to prepare the chicken ahead of time, you can store it in the marinade, in the freezer, for up to two months.

Finally, prepare the chicken according to your favorite method. I highly recommend following my How to Make Perfectly Juicy Chicken recipe for the best tips on making the juiciest chicken, every single time!

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.

** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim