Honey Mustard and Red Onion Barbecued Chicken Recipe

Zesty Honey Mustard & Red Onion BBQ Chicken Recipe

Crafting the perfect honey mustard and red onion barbecued chicken requires more than just ingredients, it’s about creating a memorable meal.

Zesty flavors dance across tender meat, promising an unforgettable dining experience.

Sweet and tangy notes will awaken your taste buds with each bite.

Carefully selected spices blend seamlessly, turning an ordinary dinner into something extraordinary.

Seasonal produce adds depth and complexity to this classic dish.

Minimal preparation meets maximum satisfaction in this straightforward yet impressive recipe.

We bet you’ll want to make this again and again.

Why BBQ Chicken with Honey Mustard & Onion Hits the Mark

  • Craft Gourmet Flavors at Home: Transform your ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy dish with bold honey mustard and red onion sauce that brings incredible depth and tangy sweetness.
  • Master Quick Cooking Techniques: Learn professional grilling skills by creating a complex sauce from scratch and perfectly charring chicken with strategic basting and temperature control.
  • Versatile Meal Solution: Perfect for casual family dinners, weekend gatherings, or impressing guests with minimal ingredients and straightforward preparation that delivers maximum taste impact.
  • Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows swapping proteins or adjusting spice levels, making it accessible for different dietary preferences and cooking skill levels.

What You’ll Need for Sweet & Savory BBQ Chicken

Main Ingredients:
  • Chicken: Protein-rich meat that serves as the primary component of this barbecue dish.
  • Honey Mustard: A sweet and tangy condiment that provides the primary flavor profile for the sauce.
  • Red Onion: A sharp and aromatic vegetable that adds depth and sweetness to the sauce.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Apple Cider Vinegar, Brown Sugar: Ingredients that create a balanced sweet and acidic base for the sauce.
  • Chicken Stock: Liquid that enhances the sauce's depth and moisture.
  • Allspice, Curry Powder: Spices that add complexity and warmth to the sauce's flavor.
Cooking Ingredients:
  • Vegetable Oil, Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings and cooking agents that help prepare and enhance the chicken's taste and texture.

Grill Up Honey Mustard Chicken with Ease

Step 1: Prep the Cooking Surface

Heat a grill pan or griddle over medium-high heat to create the perfect searing environment for your chicken.

Step 2: Caramelize Red Onions

In a saucepan, warm vegetable oil and add chopped red onions.

Cook until the onions become soft and slightly golden, developing a rich flavor profile.

Step 3: Create the Sauce Base

  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Brown sugar

Pour vinegar into the onions and reduce the liquid by half.

Stir in brown sugar and let it dissolve completely, creating a sweet and tangy foundation.

Step 4: Build Flavor-Packed Sauce

  • Chicken stock
  • Honey mustard
  • Allspice
  • Curry powder

Whisk all ingredients together in the saucepan.

Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble, then lower heat to let the flavors meld and simmer.

Step 5: Prepare the Chicken

Drizzle chicken with oil and season generously with salt and pepper.

The seasoning will help create a delicious outer crust.

Step 6: Grill to Perfection

Place chicken on the hot grill.

Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, developing beautiful grill marks and sealing in the juices.

Step 7: Baste and Finish

Generously brush the chicken with the honey mustard sauce while grilling.

Turn once more and cook an additional 2-3 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and glazed with a gorgeous, sticky coating.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Remove chicken from the grill and plate with extra sauce on the side for dipping.

The caramelized onion sauce adds an incredible depth of flavor to this crowd-pleasing dish.

BBQ Chicken Tips with a Flavor Kick

  • Caramelize red onions slowly to develop a deeper, sweeter flavor that enhances the sauce's complexity.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally for safe consumption without overcooking.
  • Create a smoother sauce by blending the cooked onions before adding remaining ingredients for a silkier texture.
  • Experiment with different mustard varieties like whole grain or Dijon to customize the sauce's depth and tanginess.
  • Marinate chicken for 30 minutes before grilling to boost moisture and absorption of honey mustard flavors.

Remix Your BBQ Chicken with These Tasty Ideas

  • Spicy Honey Mustard Kick: Replace curry powder with cayenne pepper or hot chili flakes for a fiery chicken version that adds extra heat.
  • Herb-Infused Marinade: Incorporate fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage into the sauce for an aromatic and earthy flavor profile.
  • Citrus Zest Remix: Add orange or lemon zest to the honey mustard sauce to create a bright, tangy undertone that complements the grilled chicken.
  • Smoky Bourbon Glaze: Substitute part of the chicken stock with bourbon whiskey and add a touch of smoked paprika for a rich, complex barbecue flavor.

Pairings for Honey Mustard BBQ Chicken You’ll Love

  • Elevate Flavor Harmony: Perfect Pairings
  • Crisp Riesling Companion: Select a chilled German or Alsatian Riesling with slight sweetness to complement the honey mustard's tangy profile and balance the barbecue sauce's richness.
  • Roasted Vegetable Sidekick: Prepare grilled asparagus or zucchini seasoned with olive oil and herbs, which will mirror the chicken's caramelized notes and provide a light, fresh counterpoint to the robust sauce.
  • Creamy Coleslaw Contrast: Prepare a tangy coleslaw with apple cider vinegar and a hint of honey, echoing the recipe's sauce ingredients while offering a cool, crunchy texture that cuts through the chicken's richness.

Save and Reheat BBQ Chicken Like a Pro

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is tightly sealed to maintain moisture and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual chicken pieces in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label the bag with the date and contents.
  • Microwave Reheat: Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on 50% power for 1-2 minutes, checking temperature until it reaches 165°F.
  • Oven Reheat: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken in a baking dish, add a splash of chicken stock to prevent drying.

BBQ Chicken FAQs—Honey Mustard Edition

  • How spicy is this honey mustard chicken recipe?

The sauce isn’t spicy. It combines honey mustard with mild spices like allspice and curry powder, creating a sweet and tangy flavor without heat.

  • Can I use different cuts of chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use chicken breasts, thighs, or drumsticks. Just adjust cooking time based on the thickness of the chicken to ensure it’s fully cooked.

  • Do I need a grill pan to make this recipe?

While a grill pan works best for creating nice char marks, you can also use a regular skillet or outdoor grill. The key is maintaining medium-high heat for proper cooking.

  • Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Absolutely! The chicken can be prepared ahead and reheated. The sauce keeps well in the refrigerator, making it convenient for preparing meals in advance.

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Honey Mustard and Red Onion Barbecued Chicken Recipe

Honey Mustard and Red Onion Barbecued Chicken Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Sizzling honey mustard and red onion barbecued chicken brings summer grilling magic to your table. Sweet and tangy flavors dance together, promising a delightful meal you’ll savor with every succulent bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Chicken:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Seasoning:

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon curry powder

Sauce and Other Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) vegetable oil
  • 1/2 red onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup (60 grams) brown sugar
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken stock
  • 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) prepared honey mustard
  • Vegetable oil for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Heat grill pan or griddle to medium-high temperature, preparing for chicken cooking.
  2. Create flavor base by sautéing chopped red onions in vegetable oil for 3-5 minutes until they become translucent and soft.
  3. Enhance onion mixture by adding apple cider vinegar, reducing liquid volume by half and concentrating flavors.
  4. Incorporate brown sugar into the reduced liquid, allowing it to dissolve completely and create a caramelized foundation.
  5. Develop complex sauce by whisking in chicken stock, honey mustard, allspice, and curry powder, bringing mixture to gentle boil.
  6. Reduce sauce heat to low, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to simmer gently.
  7. Prepare chicken by lightly coating with oil and seasoning with salt and pepper for optimal flavor absorption.
  8. Place seasoned chicken on preheated grill, cooking 4-5 minutes per side to achieve initial golden-brown exterior.
  9. Generously brush chicken with prepared honey mustard sauce during grilling, ensuring consistent flavor coverage.
  10. Continue cooking and turning chicken, applying additional sauce, until internal temperature reaches safe consumption level.
  11. Remove chicken from grill and let rest briefly, serving with remaining warm sauce drizzled on top.

Notes

  • Sauté onions slowly to develop a rich, sweet caramelized flavor without burning, which enhances the overall sauce depth.
  • Control grill heat carefully to prevent chicken from charring while ensuring a perfectly cooked, juicy interior with nice grill marks.
  • Consider using boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts for more moisture and richer taste, which absorb marinades more effectively.
  • For gluten-free adaptation, verify that honey mustard and chicken stock are certified gluten-free, replacing with alternative ingredients if needed.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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