Name: Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; Salt, to taste; Freshly ground pepper, to taste; 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder; 0.5 teaspoon onion powder; 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme; 0.5 teaspoon dried basil; 0.25 cup honey; 2 tablespoons butter, melted; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon yellow mustard; 1 tablespoon wholegrain mustard; 2 teaspoons hot sauce (optional); 0.5 teaspoon white vinegar; 0.125 teaspoon paprika; Vegetable oil (for brushing grill grates)

There’s nothing quite like the sweet-savory dance of honey and mustard on perfectly grilled chicken. This Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe delivers juicy, tender bites with a beautiful caramelized glaze that’s just irresistible—trust me, it’s a game-changer for your next barbecue or easy weeknight dinner.

The image shows many slices of cooked chicken pieces stacked close together on a white marbled surface. Each piece has a golden brown outside with a slight glaze that gives it a shiny look, mixed with green herb bits sprinkled over the top. The inside of the chicken is white and juicy. The chicken pieces vary in size, with some showing a bit of light charring or searing marks that add texture. The overall look is warm and flavorful, with a balance of colors from the golden outside, green herbs, and white inside. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely excited to share this one because it’s so simple yet packed with flavor. It’s one of those recipes you can whip up last minute but it feels like you spent way more time fussing over it. Plus, it’s crowd-pleasing—whether it’s for your family dinner or a backyard hangout, everyone seems to ask for seconds!

Perfect balance: The honey’s natural sweetness plays beautifully with the tangy mix of mustards, creating a glaze that sticks and caramelizes on the grill.
Juicy chicken: The combination of seasonings and the basting sauce keeps the chicken moist and tender, even if you’re new to grilling.
Easy to customize: You can tweak the heat level or herbs easily, making it your own signature dish every time.
Great for any occasion: Whether you’re grilling for a casual dinner or a weekend party, this chicken never disappoints.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe plays a key role in building layers of flavor. The herbs and spices season the chicken beautifully, and the trio of mustards combined with honey and butter creates that rich, tangy-sweet glaze that clings to every bite.

Flat lay of four raw boneless, skinless chicken breasts seasoned with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper, small white ceramic bowls containing golden honey, melted butter, smooth Dijon mustard, bright yellow mustard, coarse wholegrain mustard, amber hot sauce, clear white vinegar, and deep red paprika powder, and small piles of dried thyme and dried basil leaves arranged symmetrically, all ingredients placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breasts: I like boneless and skinless for easy grilling and quick cooking, but you can use thighs if you prefer a juicier cut.
Salt and freshly ground pepper: Basics that bring out the natural flavors of chicken and the marinade.
Garlic powder and onion powder: Convenient way to add savory depth without chopping fresh ingredients.
Dried thyme and dried basil: These herbs complement the mustard’s tang and give the chicken a subtle herby aroma.
Honey: The star sweetener that creates that sticky, caramelizing glaze on the grill.
Butter (melted): Adds richness and helps the sauce spread and stick during grilling.
Dijon mustard, yellow mustard, wholegrain mustard: This mix layers mustard flavors—from smooth and mild, to sharp, to textured and slightly spicy.
Hot sauce (optional): Gives a gentle kick, but you can leave it out if you’re not into heat.
White vinegar: Balances the sweet honey with a tiny acidic zip, making the flavor pop.
Paprika: Adds a smoky note and beautiful color to the sauce.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This is one of those recipes I love to personalize depending on what’s in my pantry or how I’m feeling. Don’t hesitate to play around with the ingredients—trust me, it’s forgiving and delicious no matter what.

Variation: I’ve occasionally swapped out the white vinegar for apple cider vinegar for a fruitier tang, and it’s just as tasty.
Spice it up: If you’re craving heat, I add a pinch more hot sauce or a dash of cayenne pepper into the basting sauce for that extra zing.
Herb swap: Sometimes I use fresh rosemary instead of dried thyme—just crush it lightly to release the oils before adding.
Butter alternative: When feeling lighter, I skip butter and add a teaspoon of olive oil—it changes the mouthfeel but still locks in moisture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe

A white shallow bowl filled with two main layers: on the left side, there is a pile of bright green broccoli florets with charred black spots showing a slightly crispy texture; on the right side, four pieces of grilled chicken thighs with a golden-brown glaze and dark grill marks, topped with small chopped green herbs for garnish. The food rests on a white marbled surface with a small glass container of sauce visible in the top right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep and Season Your Chicken

First things first, preheat your grill to medium-high heat—that usually means about 400-450°F. While it’s warming up, pat your chicken breasts dry with paper towels (this helps the seasoning stick better). Sprinkle on salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and dried basil evenly, rubbing it in gently. Setting them aside while you make your sauce lets the flavors soak in a bit.

Step 2: Whisk Up the Honey Mustard Sauce

In a bowl, combine the honey, melted butter, dijon, yellow, and wholegrain mustards, hot sauce if using, white vinegar, and paprika. Whisk everything until the sauce is smooth and glossy. Set aside about ¼ cup for basting later, and keep the rest for serving—this way you get a fresh burst of that sauce when eating.

Step 3: Grill and Glaze

Lightly oil the grill grates—this helps prevent sticking. Place your chicken breasts on the hot grill and cook for 2 minutes to get those gorgeous grill marks, then flip and cook another 2 minutes. Brush the chicken generously with half of the saved basting sauce, close the lid, and let it cook for about 7 minutes. Keep an eye—thicker breasts may need a bit longer to cook through.

Step 4: Flip and Finish Cooking

Open the grill, flip your chicken, and brush on the remaining basting sauce. Close the lid again and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F—use a meat thermometer if you can, it’s the best way to avoid drying out your chicken.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Once off the grill, let your chicken rest for about 8 minutes. This step is key—it lets all the juices redistribute and keeps the chicken tender and juicy. Slice it up and serve with the reserved honey mustard sauce on the side for extra dipping. Voilà! Dinner is served.

Top Tip

From my trials, a few tricks have really helped make this Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe a repeat winner every time. These tips saved me from overcooked, dry chicken and helped build flavor layers you’ll love.

Use a meat thermometer: It’s the only way to know for sure when your chicken hits that juicy perfection at 165°F without guesswork.
Don’t skip resting: I used to serve right off the grill, but resting makes a noticeable difference in tenderness and juiciness.
Baste multiple times: Applying the honey mustard sauce at least twice while grilling creates a sticky, flavorful crust that’s addictive.
Oil your grill grates well: Preventing sticking means your glaze stays intact and won’t tear the chicken when you flip.

How to Serve Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe

honey mustard chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this chicken with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or chives—it brightens up the plate and adds a fresh herbaceous note. A few lemon wedges on the side also help if you want a little zesty pop.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides with this are simple: a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette, grilled asparagus, or roasted sweet potatoes. For something heartier, creamy mashed potatoes or a quinoa salad with crunchy veggies pair beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to slice the grilled chicken and fan it over a bed of fluffy rice or couscous, drizzling a little extra honey mustard sauce in a pretty pattern. Garnishing with edible flowers or microgreens can turn your plate into a real showstopper.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover grilled honey mustard chicken keeps really well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I always slice it before storing—it makes reheating and serving so much easier.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this chicken successfully too. Just freeze whole breasts or slices in a freezer-safe bag with some of the honey mustard sauce for moisture. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to keep it juicy.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer warming slices gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or reserved sauce to prevent drying. Microwaving works in a pinch but watch the time to avoid toughness.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are even juicier and forgiving on the grill. Just be sure to adjust cooking time accordingly and check for doneness with a thermometer.

How long should I marinate the chicken for best flavor?

This recipe uses a dry seasoning with a basting sauce rather than a traditional marinade. You can season the chicken about 15 minutes before grilling for quick flavor, but for deeper flavor, you could season up to a few hours ahead or even overnight in the fridge.

Can I make this recipe on an indoor grill or grill pan?

Yes! This Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe works great on an indoor grill or grill pan. Just be sure to monitor cooking time closely, and avoid high heat that could burn the honey glaze.

What’s the best way to get a nice caramelized glaze on the chicken?

Basting the chicken multiple times with the honey mustard sauce during grilling is key. Also, grilling on medium-high heat helps the sugars in the honey caramelize without burning. Don’t rush flipping or stirring too often to allow proper glaze development.

Final Thoughts

There’s something so satisfying about this Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe—it’s a reliable crowd-pleaser that’s elegant enough for guests, yet easy enough for busy weeknights. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it becomes one of your go-to recipes when you want to impress without stress. Grab your grill tools, get that sauce ready, and prepare for compliments!