Description
Lemon Honey Dijon Chicken with tangy mustard, sweet honey, juicy chicken, and zesty lemon. Quick, comforting, and crowd-pleasing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds/900g)
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) Dijon mustard – use a high-quality variety for the best flavor
- 1/4 cup (60ml) honey – local wildflower honey adds wonderful complexity
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) fresh lemon juice (approximately 1 large lemon)
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon slices (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. This ensures even cooking and tender results. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels (this helps with browning), then season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Make the Marinade In a medium bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, thyme, and lemon zest until smooth and well combined. The mixture should have a thick but pourable consistency. Reserve about 1/4 cup of this marinade for later use as a sauce.
- Step 3: Marinate the Chicken Place the chicken in a shallow dish or resealable bag and pour the remaining marinade over it, turning to coat thoroughly. If you have time, let it marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator. This infuses the chicken with those wonderful lemon honey Dijon flavors.
- Step 4: Cook the Chicken Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the hot pan. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and place in the hot skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
- Step 5: Make the Sauce Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the reserved 1/4 cup marinade to the same skillet along with 1 tablespoon of butter. Whisk constantly as it simmers for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or water to thin it out.
- Step 6: Serve Return the chicken to the skillet, turning to coat with the sauce. Alternatively, place the chicken on serving plates and drizzle the sauce over top. Garnish your Lemon Honey Dijon Chicken with fresh chopped parsley and lemon slices for a beautiful presentation. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy this perfect balance of tangy, sweet and savory flavors!
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 350 calories per serving
- Sugar: 12 grams
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 16 grams
- Saturated Fat: 4 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 15 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Protein: 35 grams
- Cholesterol: 120 mg