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Savory Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Thighs

honey mustard grilled chicken thighs - featured image

A quick and easy recipe for crispy skin grilled chicken thighs with a sweet and tangy honey mustard marinade, perfect for flavorful weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1/4 cup (85 g) honey
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon (2 g) smoked paprika
  • Salt to taste (kosher salt recommended)
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. This should take about 5 minutes.
  2. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels to help with crispiness. Add them to the bowl and coat well with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally up to 2 hours. If short on time, 20 minutes still works.
  3. Preheat the grill or grill pan to medium heat, around 375°F (190°C). If using a grill pan, lightly oil it to prevent sticking.
  4. Place chicken thighs skin-side down on the grill. Grill for 7-9 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy. Avoid moving them to let the skin develop a crackling texture.
  5. Flip the chicken and grill the other side for 6-8 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  6. Optional: Brush on extra marinade during the last few minutes, watching closely to avoid burning the sugars.
  7. Remove chicken from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to keep juices locked in.

Notes

Pat the chicken skin dry before marinating to ensure crispiness. Use medium heat to avoid burning the sugars in the marinade. Let the chicken rest after cooking to keep it juicy. For extra crispy skin, finish with a quick sear skin-side down on a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes. Marinate no longer than 2 hours to prevent skin breakdown.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey mustard chicken, grilled chicken thighs, crispy chicken skin, quick chicken recipe, easy dinner, weeknight meal, savory chicken