Home » Recipes » Dips Marinades and Sauces

The Best Honey Mustard Chicken Marinade – Family Approved!

ByElena Elliott February 22, 2025March 11, 2025 Updated onMarch 11, 2025

If you’re looking for an easy, foolproof way to marinate chicken, you’re in the right place. This honey mustard chicken marinade is the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory—made with Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, and olive oil, this simple marinade brings out the best in every bite.

The best part? It takes just minutes to throw together using simple pantry ingredients. Whether you’re grilling, baking, or pan-searing, this marinade guarantees tender, mouthwatering chicken that your whole family will love. Let’s get started!

Raw chicken drumsticks coated in a honey mustard marinade are arranged in a round white dish with a black rim. The dish is set against a light blue textured background.

SAVE THIS RECIPE 💌

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

Marinating chicken is one of the easiest ways to pack in flavor without extra work. Just whisk together a few simple ingredients, let the chicken marinate for a while, and boom—dinner is basically done. Plus, marinades are super versatile! If you’re craving something fresh and zesty, orange marinated baked chicken skewers are a great pick. For extra tenderness and a creamy twist, mayo marinated chicken is a must-try. However you flavor it, a good marinade makes homemade meals effortless and totally delicious.

Excited to try this recipe? Step-by-step instructions with photos can be found below the recipe card 👇 to guide you through each step.

A bowl filled with raw chicken drumsticks coated in a yellow marinade, placed on a light blue surface.

Honey Mustard Chicken Marinade Recipe

Elena Elliott

This honey mustard chicken marinade is sweet, tangy, and packed with flavor. Made with Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, and lemon juice, it comes together in minutes and keeps the chicken juicy and delicious. Perfect for grilling, baking, or pan-searing—just marinate for 30 minutes or overnight and enjoy a quick, family-approved meal!

5 from 1 vote

SAVE THIS RECIPE 💌

We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

Print Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Course dinner

Cuisine European

Servings servings

Calories 352 kcal

Ingredients

This marinade is enough for 1 kilogram of chicken meat

Instructions

Whisk together all marinade ingredients in a small bowl until smooth.
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 2 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt
Add the chicken to a shallow dish or zip-top bag, then pour the marinade over it, ensuring every piece is well coated.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or for the best flavor, let it marinate overnight.
When ready to cook, grill, bake, or pan-sear the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Avoid metal containers – Acidic ingredients like lemon juice can react with metal and affect the taste. Use glass or plastic instead.

Don’t overdo the lemon juice – Too much can break down the chicken too much, making it mushy. Stick to the recommended amount.

Olive oil is key – It helps the marinade stick to the chicken and keeps it moist—don’t skip it!

Double if needed – If you’re marinating a larger batch of chicken or want extra for basting, simply double the recipe.

Calories: 352kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 2gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 21gSodium: 1497mgPotassium: 132mgFiber: 2gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 23IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg

Please note that the nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredient brands, portion sizes, and preparation methods.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Let us know how it was and tag us on social @aisforappleau

📝 Recipe Ingredients & Notes

Five small bowls contain olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and a mix of salt and garlic powder on a light blue surface. Two garlic cloves rest beside the bowls. Labels identify each ingredient.

• Use fresh ingredients – Fresh lemon juice and garlic make a big difference in flavor. Fresh is always best!
• Make it your own – Want a little heat? Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes.
• Marinating time matters – The longer the chicken sits in the marinade, the more flavorful it will be. Overnight is ideal, but even 30 minutes does the trick.
• Works for all cuts – This marinade is perfect for chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or even wings.
• Double the batch – If you’re cooking for a crowd or want extra marinade for basting, just double or triple the ingredients.

Grilled chicken drumsticks stacked on a plate with fresh green lettuce leaves, displaying a golden, crispy skin. The plate sits on a light blue surface with a hint of a pale pink cloth in the corner.

Don’t forget to save the recipe for later by pinning the image below!

Bowl of raw chicken drumsticks coated in a honey and Dijon mustard marinade. The text reads: Quick and Easy Chicken Marinade with Honey and Dijon Mustard. Website: www.aisforappleau.com.

If you tried this Creamy Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Crispy Pancetta or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.

Thank you! Elena