Honey Mustard Baked Chicken Thighs

This recipe for Honey Mustard Baked Chicken Thighs produces the juiciest baked chicken thighs. If you’re looking for the best baked chicken thighs in sauce–you found it!

I’m always searching for and trying to create recipes that are low effort and high reward. This is one of those easy dinner recipes. It is so easy–it takes minutes to prep and you get a delicious, healthy main dish for your dinner that the whole family loves. It’s perfect for a busy night, which I know you all have as much as me.

And yes, even though these are chicken thighs and not chicken breasts, my family loved them. They typically prefer chicken breasts, but if I prepare thighs just right they like them. This recipes passes the test!

I’m glad because I like thighs best. White meat and dark meat are very different, and thighs are better in my opinion. Here’s why:

• Chicken thighs have more flavor than chicken breasts.
• Chicken thighs are more tender and less dry than chicken breasts.
• Chicken thighs are more forgiving than chicken breasts–they get more tender when you cook them longer, unlike chicken breasts that just dry out. I like juicy chicken!
• Chicken thighs are usually less expensive than chicken breasts.

Team Chicken Thighs yet? I use boneless, skinless thighs for this recipe, but with adjustments you can use bone-in thighs with skin, too. And if you reeeeallly want to, you can sub in boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The cooking time will change–see the FAQs below for details.

I’ve been making a version of this recipe for years; the version I’m sharing today is my favorite way to prepare this dish for both ease and the final result. Let’s get to the details for this baked chicken thighs recipe!

Recipe Ingredients–What You Need

Nothing makes me happier in the kitchen than recipes with just a few simple ingredients–especially if they’re pantry staples I usually have on hand. That’s what we have here!

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs–Boneless chicken thighs are a great source of protein, vitamin B12, iron, zinc, selenium, and potassium.
• 1/3 cup Dijon mustard–This is used to flavor the baked chicken thighs, and it’s a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate condiment that also provides a little calcium, iron, and potassium.
• 1/3 cup honey–Honey balances out the tart Dijon mustard and lends a sweet undertone to the chicken. Honey also provides a variety of minerals, giving it some nutritional value.
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise–I recommend using high-quality mayonnaise that uses avocado oil rather than soybean oil if possible. Mayonnaise gives the sauce a creamy base, and because mayonnaise it made from eggs, it does give you a good dose of vitamins and minerals.
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary–Fresh herbs are so flavorful, so I love using fresh rosemary here. You can use dried, however, if you don’t have fresh rosemary on hand. Rosemary is a great source of beneficial antioxidants.

Not pictured: salt, pepper, and non-stick cooking spray.

How to Make Honey Mustard Baked Chicken Thighs–Step-by-Step Instructions 

Follow these instructions to make the best baked chicken thighs! If you need a printable version of these, just scroll down to the recipe card and you’ll find it.

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and season both sides of the chicken with salt and black pepper.
3. Spray a 9X13 inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. In the same dish, add 1/3 cup Dijon mustard, 1/3 cup honey, and 1/4 cup mayonnaise. Whisk until well combined.
4. Add the chicken to the dish with the honey mustard mixture and use tongs to turn the chicken over until it is all evenly coated with the sauce and the thighs are spread out in a single layer in the baking dish.
5. Bake in the 425 degree oven for 18-22 minutes, stirring the chicken to re-coat it with the sauce after 10 minutes. Cook until the chicken reaches the internal temperature of 175 degrees. (It’s safe to eat at 165 degrees but gets more tender at higher temperatures) Optional: for golden brown chicken, cook under your oven’s broiler for the last 2-3 minutes. 
6. Sprinkle the cooked chicken with chopped fresh rosemary. Serve and enjoy!

FAQs

If your question isn’t answered here, leave it for me in the comments below and I’ll get back to you!

Can I use chicken breasts for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts if you prefer. I suggest pounding them to an even thinness so they cook evenly and only cooking them to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Depending on their size and thickness, they will likely need less time than the chicken thighs, so start checking them around 15 minutes.

Can I use bone-in chicken thighs for this recipe?

Again, yes you can. Bone-in thighs, however, will take longer to cook. I suggest adding 10 minutes and start checking the temperature.

What can I use instead of mayonnaise?

If you’re allergic to mayonnaise or just don’t like it, I would leave it out and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil or avocado oil in its place.

Can I cook these in the air fryer?

Yes, these can be cooked in the air fryer. I suggest cutting the sauce ingredients in half (since they won’t be cooked in the sauce, you’ll just need enough to coat the chicken) and coat the thighs with the sauce. Air fry at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Can I use my Instant Pot for this recipe?

Yes, you can also use your Instant Pot. Keep the sauce measurements the same and pressure cook on high for10 minutes, and allow natural pressure release for 5 minutes.

How to store leftovers?

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days in an airtight container.

I hope this becomes your go-to recipe for cooking chicken thighs! If you make these Baked Chicken Thighs, or any Happy Healthy Mama recipe, I would LOVE to see! Snap a picture and share it on the Happy Healthy Mama Facebook page or on your Instagram and tag me @happyhealthymama. Giving a star rating below is also very helpful!

Scroll below the recipe card if you’d like ideas on what to serve with these baked chicken thighs!

Side Dishes to Serve with Baked Chicken Thighs

1. Simple Green Salad–This main course is perfect with a salad. Find a pre-made mix you like or pick one that’s easy to throw together like this Strawberry Spinach Salad with Balsamic Dressing.
2. Green Beans–Green beans so so well with Honey Mustard Chicken! Try these Instant Pot Green Beans or these Garlic Butter Green Beans.
3. Sweet Potato–Sweet potatoes are another great choice to pair with this dinner. Try this Sweet Potato Tian, these Sweet Potato Wedges, or these Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes.
4. Roasted Vegetables–Roasted vegetables go so well with baked chicken thighs. Try these Balsamic Roasted Vegetables, Autumn Roasted Vegetables with Garlic Yogurt Sauce, Simply Roasted Cauliflower, Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan, or these Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apples and Almonds.
5. Potatoes–You can’t go wrong with serving this dish with potatoes! My family’s favorite are these Crispy Smashed Potatoes, or try Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes.