Description
This Best Chicken Ever recipe delivers perfectly juicy, flavorful baked chicken breasts coated in a savory blend of spices and a sweet honey-mustard glaze. It’s a simple and delicious main dish perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, featuring a balanced mix of herbs and bright flavors complemented by a tender texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Spices
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Honey-Mustard Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
Garnish
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare seasoning: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper thoroughly to create a spice blend.
- Season chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub all sides of each breast evenly with olive oil. Sprinkle the prepared seasoning mixture evenly over the chicken, pressing lightly to adhere.
- Mix sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, soy sauce, and optional lemon juice until well combined, creating a flavorful honey-mustard glaze.
- Bake chicken: Lightly grease a baking dish and arrange the seasoned chicken breasts inside. Pour the honey-mustard sauce evenly over the top of the chicken. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Halfway through baking, carefully baste the chicken with the sauce from the pan to enhance flavor and moisture.
- Rest and garnish: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain juices. Spoon additional sauce from the baking dish over the chicken breasts and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or steamed rice to soak up the delicious honey-mustard sauce.
- This recipe works just as well with chicken thighs; simply adjust cooking time to ensure they reach the proper internal temperature.
- Leftover chicken is perfect for adding to salads, wraps, or sandwiches the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (approx. 6 oz)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
