Honey Dijon Garlic Chicken Breasts
Honey Dijon Garlic Chicken Breasts are juicy, lean chicken breasts coated in a tangy, sweet Dijon mustard glaze enhanced with honey and garlic. This quick and effortless recipe delivers a perfect balance of flavors, ideal for busy weeknight dinners, family meals, or impressing guests with minimal ingredients and preparation time.
- Author: Lucas
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Marinade & Glaze
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 garlic cloves, freshly minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and freshly ground pepper to create a balanced sweet, tangy, and savory glaze.
- Marinate the Chicken Breasts: Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or resealable bag and pour the marinade over them. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator to infuse maximum flavor and tenderize the meat.
- Preheat and Prepare for Cooking: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a little olive oil to prevent sticking. This ensures a golden sear and even cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Remove chicken breasts from the marinade (reserve the marinade) and cook them in the hot skillet for about 6-7 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked. Pour the reserved marinade over the chicken during the last few minutes of cooking to create a sticky, flavorful glaze.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing to lock in juices, ensuring every bite is tender and juicy.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken by taking it out of the fridge 15 minutes before cooking for even cooking.
- Don’t skip resting the chicken after cooking to retain natural juices.
- Marinate longer, up to 4 hours, for deeper flavor.
- Cook over medium heat to achieve a crispy exterior without drying out the chicken.
- Always pour reserved marinade into the pan to thicken and form a glaze rather than discarding it.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (approx. 6 oz)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: honey dijon chicken, garlic chicken breasts, easy chicken dinner, weeknight chicken, gluten free chicken recipe, healthy chicken breast