This classic "Honey Chicken" recipe delivers a sweet and savory baked dish that pairs beautifully with rice, peas, or a green salad. A staple of mid-century home kitchens, it combines the richness of butter and honey with the tang of prepared mustard, creating a glaze that’s both comforting and flavorful. This dish became popular for its simplicity, short prep time, and universally loved flavor, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or small gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (3 lbs, cut into parts, washed and dried)
- 4 tbsp butter
- ½ cup honey
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ cup prepared mustard
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
Step 2: Prepare Sauce
- Melt butter in a saucepan.
- Add honey, salt, and prepared mustard. Stir until fully combined.
Step 3: Coat Chicken
- Roll chicken pieces in the sauce mixture to coat thoroughly.
Step 4: Arrange Chicken
- Place chicken pieces meaty side up in a single layer in a baking dish.
Step 5: Add Sauce & Bake
- Pour remaining sauce over the chicken.
- Cover and bake for 1 hour or until chicken is tender and glazed.
Tips
- Use boneless chicken thighs for faster cooking (35–40 minutes).
- Substitute Dijon mustard for a sharper, more modern flavor.
- Add a pinch of cayenne or paprika for gentle heat.
- Mix in 1 to 2 cloves of minced garlic with the melted butter.
- Add orange zest to complement the “good with mandarin oranges” note.
- For extra glaze, baste halfway through cooking.
- Reduce the sauce on the stovetop after baking for a thicker finish.
- Replace part of the honey with maple syrup for a deeper sweetness.
- Serve over rice to absorb the honey-mustard sauce.
- Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end for a caramelized top.
Nutrition
Calories: 131kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.3gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 245mgPotassium: 47mgFiber: 1gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 25IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg
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