The Best Honey Glazed Chicken Recipe for Sweet Family Dinners

Succulent chicken breasts bathed in a golden honey glaze promise a culinary adventure that sparks excitement.

Sweet and savory notes dance across your plate with delightful harmony.

Perfectly caramelized edges hint at the magic waiting to unfold.

Simple ingredients combine to create something truly extraordinary.

Weeknight dinners will never look the same after you master this technique.

Minimal effort leads to maximum flavor, making this recipe a game-changer for home cooks.

You’ll want to bookmark this irresistible dish that turns ordinary chicken into a gourmet experience.

Why Honey Glazed Chicken Is Sticky Sweet Perfection

• Craft a Flavor Explosion: This honey glazed chicken transforms ordinary poultry into a mouthwatering masterpiece with its sweet-savory glaze that tantalizes taste buds and brings restaurant-quality cooking to your home kitchen.
• Master Simple Gourmet Techniques: Novice cooks can easily create this impressive dish using basic kitchen skills, with step-by-step instructions that guarantee perfectly glazed chicken every single time.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or weekend gatherings, this recipe appeals to all ages and dietary preferences, making it an ideal go-to meal that impresses without complicated preparation.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner Solution: Minimal ingredients and straightforward cooking method mean you can have a delicious, nutritious meal on the table with minimal effort, reducing stress and maximizing flavor for busy households.

The Only Ingredients You Need for Honey Glazed Chicken

• Chicken Pieces: Lean protein that serves as the primary component of the dish.

• Honey: Provides natural sweetness and helps create a glossy, caramelized coating.
• Soy Sauce: Adds depth of flavor and helps balance the sweetness of the honey.
• Dijon Mustard: Contributes a tangy and slightly sharp taste to the glaze.
• Olive Oil: Helps bind the glaze ingredients and adds a subtle richness.
• Garlic: Brings a robust and aromatic flavor to the overall dish.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the chicken's natural flavor.
• Parsley, Sesame Seeds, Red Pepper Flakes: Add visual appeal, texture, and a hint of heat to the finished dish.

Instructions to Get Honey Glazed Chicken Just Right

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 375°F and grab a large baking dish. Lightly brush the dish with olive oil to keep chicken from sticking.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

Generously sprinkle salt and black pepper all over the chicken pieces, making sure every surface gets some love.

Step 3: Create a Mouthwatering Glaze

• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Olive oil
• Dijon mustard
• Minced garlic

Blend until you’ve got a glossy, fragrant mixture that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 4: Arrange the Chicken

Spread the seasoned chicken in the baking dish. Keep the pieces in a single layer so they cook evenly and get maximum glaze coverage.

Step 5: Coat with Glaze

Pour the honey mixture over the chicken. Use a brush to make sure each piece is thoroughly coated, leaving no spot untouched.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Pop the dish in the oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes. Flip the chicken halfway through to ensure beautiful, even browning and prevent dryness.

Step 7: Check for Doneness

Use a meat thermometer to confirm the chicken has reached 165°F – this guarantees safe and juicy meat.

Step 8: Let It Rest

Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute, making each bite extra tender.

Step 9: Add Final Touches

• Chopped parsley
• Red pepper flakes
• Sesame seeds

These add a burst of color, texture, and extra flavor.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the chicken hot, drizzling any remaining pan juices for an extra flavor punch. Get ready for a meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!

Tips for Perfectly Glazed, Tender Chicken

• Prevent Honey Burning: Watch the glaze closely during baking to avoid caramelization turning bitter, and loosely cover with foil if browning happens too quickly.
• Maximize Flavor Absorption: Marinate chicken in the honey glaze for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance depth of taste and tenderize the meat.
• Swap Protein Options: Replace chicken with firm tofu, salmon, or pork chops while maintaining the same delicious honey glaze marinade.
• Choose Quality Honey: Select raw, unprocessed honey for richer flavor and better nutritional benefits compared to processed commercial varieties.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the glaze and season chicken up to 24 hours in advance, storing covered in the refrigerator to develop more intense flavors.

Honey Glazed Chicken Twists Worth Trying

• Asian Fusion Chicken: Replace honey with hoisin sauce, add ginger, and garnish with green onions for a bold, tangy flavor profile.
• Spicy Cajun Chicken: Mix cayenne pepper, paprika, and brown sugar into the glaze, creating a fiery, caramelized coating with southern flair.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken: Incorporate rosemary, thyme, and lemon zest into the glaze, complemented by a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese for a fresh, zesty touch.
• Smoky Maple Chicken: Swap honey for pure maple syrup, blend in smoked paprika, and finish with crispy bacon bits for a rich, complex taste experience.

Perfect Pairings for Honey Glazed Chicken

• Pair Sweet and Tangy White Wine: Select a Riesling or Gewürztraminer with balanced sweetness that complements the honey glaze and cuts through the chicken's richness.
• Serve with Roasted Vegetable Medley: Create a colorful side of caramelized root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes that mirror the glaze's caramelized notes.
• Complement with Nutty Quinoa Pilaf: Prepare a light quinoa side dish with toasted almonds and herbs that provides a protein-rich, textural contrast to the glazed chicken.
• Match with Crisp Asian-Inspired Slaw: Prepare a crunchy coleslaw with rice vinegar, sesame oil, and green onions that offers a refreshing, tangy counterpoint to the sweet and savory chicken.

How to Store and Reheat Honey Glazed Chicken

• Store leftover honey glazed chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Place in the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and food safety.
• Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring the chicken remains tightly wrapped.
• Warm refrigerated chicken in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to retain moisture. Alternatively, use a microwave on medium power, heating in 30-second intervals to prevent drying out.
• Keep glazed chicken pieces separate from sauce to maintain crispiness.

Questions & Answers About Honey Glazed Chicken

• Can I use different types of honey for the glaze?

Yes, you can use various honey types like clover, wildflower, or orange blossom. Each variety will provide a slightly different flavor profile to the chicken.

• Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! The honey glazed chicken reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, making it perfect for preparing meals in advance.

• What can I substitute for dijon mustard if I don't have it?

You can use whole grain mustard, yellow mustard, or even omit it entirely. The mustard adds depth but isn’t crucial to the overall recipe’s success.

• Can I make this recipe with chicken breasts instead of other chicken pieces?

Yes, chicken breasts work perfectly. Just ensure they are of similar size for even cooking and adjust cooking time slightly to prevent drying out.

Honey Glazed Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent honey glazed chicken brings Mediterranean warmth to dinner tables with its golden-brown exterior and sweet-savory glaze. Juicy chicken pieces marinated in honey, herbs, and spices promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Poultry

• 4 chicken breasts
• 2 chicken thighs

Glaze Ingredients

• 1/2 cup honey
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Garnish

• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a large baking dish with a light coating of olive oil to prevent sticking.
2. Season chicken pieces generously with salt and black pepper, ensuring even coverage on all sides.
3. Whisk together honey, soy sauce, olive oil, dijon mustard, and minced garlic in a mixing bowl to create a glossy, aromatic glaze.
4. Arrange seasoned chicken in the prepared baking dish, keeping pieces in a single layer without overcrowding.
5. Pour the honey glaze evenly over the chicken, using a brush to coat each piece thoroughly and ensure maximum flavor absorption.
6. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, turning the chicken halfway through cooking to promote uniform browning and prevent drying.
7. Check internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer for safe consumption.
8. Remove from oven and let chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and enhance tenderness.
9. Sprinkle chopped parsley, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds over the glazed chicken for added texture and visual appeal.
10. Serve hot, drizzling any remaining pan juices over the chicken for extra moisture and flavor intensity.

Notes

• Choose high-quality local honey for a richer, more nuanced glaze that elevates the entire dish’s flavor profile.
• Opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs to maintain moisture and create a more tender eating experience.
• Marinate chicken for 30 minutes before baking to intensify flavor absorption and create deeper taste complexity.
• Swap honey with maple syrup for a delightful alternative that works perfectly for those avoiding refined sugars or seeking a different sweet note.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg