Honey Dijon is a popular condiment that combines sweet honey with zesty Dijon mustard. Its sweet and tangy flavor profile makes it a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes, including chicken. But is honey Dijon actually good when paired with chicken? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Honey Dijon?
Honey Dijon is made by mixing honey, Dijon mustard, vinegar, and other seasonings together to create a smooth, sweet and tangy sauce or dressing. The honey balances out the sharp bite of the mustard, while the vinegar adds a touch of acidity.
There are many different brands and recipes for honey Dijon dressing or sauce on the market. Some versions contain additional ingredients like olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, spices, or maple syrup. But the core ingredients in any honey Dijon recipe are:
- Honey – Most recipes call for equal parts honey and Dijon mustard. The honey lends sweetness, viscosity, and flavor.
- Dijon mustard – This style of mustard has a robust, spicy flavor compared to yellow mustard. It provides a tangy kick.
- Vinegar – Cider, white wine, champagne, or rice vinegar help provide acidity and brightness.
By combining these main elements, honey Dijon strikes a balance between sweet, savory, and sour flavors. It has a smooth, thick consistency perfect for drizzling over a variety of dishes.
Flavors and Uses of Honey Dijon
The flavor profile of honey Dijon is quite versatile. It provides:
- Sweetness – The honey lends a mild floral sweetness.
- Savoriness – Dijon mustard has an underlying spicy, peppery flavor.
- Acidity – Vinegar gives it a bright tang.
- Thickness – The honey makes it nicely viscous.
This unique blend of flavors allows honey Dijon to complement many ingredients and dishes. Some of the most popular uses for honey Dijon include:
- Salad dressings
- Marinades and sauces for chicken, pork, or fish
- Glazes for vegetables like carrots, green beans, or Brussels sprouts
- Sandwich spreads
- Dips for appetizers
- Vinaigrettes
In summary, honey Dijon can add the perfect touch of sweet and tangy flavor to balance out a multitude of dishes and ingredients. Its versatility and simple ingredient list make it easy to incorporate into many different recipes.
Why Pair Honey Dijon with Chicken?
Chicken is a very popular and versatile protein. Its mild flavor pairs well with an endless array of sauces, seasonings, and ingredients. Honey Dijon is one condiment that can nicely complement chicken in a variety of dishes.
Here are some of the reasons why honey Dijon makes a great pairing with chicken:
- Contrasting flavors – The sweet honey and tangy mustard contrast nicely with the mild, delicate flavor of chicken. This creates more interest.
- Allows chicken flavor to still shine – While adding flavor, honey Dijon isn’t overly strong so it allows the chicken flavor to still come through.
- Moistness – Honey helps chicken stay juicy and moist during cooking.
- Caramelized exterior – When used in a glaze or marinade, the sugars in the honey help chicken develop a beautifully caramelized, crispy exterior.
- Easy to make – Honey Dijon sauce or marinade comes together quickly with just a few ingredients.
In short, honey Dijon adds the perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavor to chicken without overpowering it. It brings out the best in mild chicken meat while keeping it juicy and adding texture.
How to Use Honey Dijon with Chicken
There are many creative ways that honey Dijon can be used to flavor chicken. Here are some of the most popular preparation methods:
Honey Dijon Chicken Marinade
Marinating chicken in a honey Dijon mixture infuses it with flavor while tenderizing the meat. Try whisking together equal parts honey and Dijon with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. Marinate chicken breasts, thighs, or wings for 30 minutes up to overnight.
Honey Dijon Glaze
Brushing honey Dijon glaze over chicken adds a delicious lacquered exterior. Simmer honey, Dijon, butter, and herbs over low heat until smooth. Brush the glaze over baked or grilled chicken during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking.
Honey Dijon Chicken Bake
For an easy baked chicken, coat chicken breasts with a honey Dijon mixture. Top with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, or panko and bake until crisp and caramelized.
Grilled Honey Dijon Chicken
The high heat of the grill helps caramelize honey Dijon chicken beautifully. Grill chicken after marinating or brush grilled chicken with glaze during the last few minutes of cooking.
Honey Dijon Chicken Salad
Cool, crunchy chicken salad is taken to the next level with honey Dijon dressing. Use your favorite chicken salad recipe and top with a drizzle of honey Dijon.
Honey Dijon Chicken Sandwich
Spread or drizzle honey Dijon on chicken sandwiches for extra flavor. It’s delicious on crispy chicken sandwiches or grilled chicken.
Get creative with the many ways you can put honey Dijon to use with chicken. The sweet and tangy flavor it contributes will take any chicken meal from boring to extraordinary.
Best Practices for Cooking Honey Dijon Chicken
To end up with delicious honey Dijon chicken every time, keep these tips in mind:
- Use equal parts honey and Dijon for best flavor balance.
- Let chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight.
- Cook chicken to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Broil, grill, or bake chicken with glaze for the last 5-10 minutes only.
- Avoid burning the honey glaze by brushing lightly and watching closely.
- Look for the glaze to become sticky and caramelized, not burnt.
- Use leftover marinade as a sauce, just be sure to boil it before serving.
Properly cooking chicken while getting the best results from honey Dijon comes down to using the right ratio of ingredients, marinating sufficiently, and keeping a close eye while glazing to avoid burning.
Honey Dijon Chicken Recipe
This easy baked chicken breast recipe uses a quick honey Dijon marinade for juicy, flavorful chicken every time:
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper until combined.
- Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish and coat both sides with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes, up to overnight.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Place marinated chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving. Drizzle with pan juices.
The honey Dijon marinade gives the chicken a delicious sweet and tangy flavor. Pair it with roasted potatoes or your favorite vegetables for a complete meal.
Substitutions and Variations
There are many ways to tweak this recipe to suit your tastes:
- Vinegar: Substitute balsamic, white wine, or cider vinegar for brightness.
- Herbs: Use rosemary, oregano, basil, or tarragon instead of thyme.
- Spices: Add paprika, cayenne, or black pepper for a kick.
- Nut butter: Peanut or almond butter makes the marinade richer.
- Fruit: Diced mango, peach, or apricot lend sweetness.
Feel free to customize the honey Dijon marinade to complement the other ingredients you’re using or suit your personal taste.
Should You Use Honey Dijon Mustard Instead?
You may be wondering whether you can shortcut the recipe by using premade honey Dijon mustard instead of mixing Dijon and honey yourself. While using honey Dijon mustard is certainly faster, there are some disadvantages to be aware of:
- Less control over flavor – Storebought has fixed ratios of honey to mustard that may be too sweet or too tangy for your taste.
- Added thickeners – Some brands add starch, flour, or emulsifiers which alter texture and flavor.
- Fewer options to customize – Can’t adjust sweetness, acidity, or spice level.
- Shorter shelf life – Homemade lasts longer in the fridge.
That being said, if convenience is your top priority, a high-quality brand of honey Dijon mustard can still make a tasty marinade. Just be aware that your flavor and consistency may vary compared to homemade.
Complementary Side Dishes
Honey dijon chicken pairs beautifully with a variety of side dish options. Here are some delicious ideas:
Vegetables
- Roasted broccoli or Brussels sprouts
- Glazed carrots
- Sauteed zucchini
- Steamed green beans
Grains
- Quinoa or rice pilaf
- Buttered noodles
- Couscous salad
- Polenta
Potatoes
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Hasselback potatoes
- Roasted new potatoes
- Sweet potato fries
Choose dishes that balance out the flavors of the chicken. For example, go for something sweet like glazed carrots or something starchy like buttery mashed potatoes. The possibilities are endless!
Additional Honey Dijon Chicken Recipe Ideas
If you love honey Dijon chicken, try out some of these tasty recipe ideas too:
Honey Dijon Chicken Wings
Toss chicken wings in honey Dijon sauce and bake until crispy. The tangy glaze gives baked wings a flavor boost.
Honey Dijon Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs hold up especially well to the honey Dijon marinade. Broil, grill, or pan sear for tender, juicy meat.
Honey Dijon Chicken Pizza
Top pizza with shredded rotisserie chicken, onions, bacon, and drizzles of honey Dijon for a flavorful pizza night.
Honey Dijon Chicken Quesadillas
Shredded chicken, cheese, and diced onions sandwiched in a tortilla get even better with some added honey Dijon mustard.
Honey Dijon Chicken Pasta Salad
Boost pasta salad with honey Dijon dressed chicken, veggies, and cheese chunks for a filling, on-the-go meal.
However you choose to prepare it, add a dollop or drizzle of honey Dijon to chicken for an easy weeknight dinner idea.
Conclusion
Honey Dijon makes an excellent pairing with chicken. Its sweet and tangy flavor provides the perfect contrast to mild chicken. By using it in marinades, glazes, and dressings, honey Dijon can infuse chicken with delicious flavor while keeping it juicy. Follow best practices like properly marinating and avoiding burning or overcooking the glaze. Then get creative with the many dishes you can make, like baked chicken, sandwiches, salads, and more. Drizzle on this sweet mustard and honey combo to take chicken dinners from dull to delicious.