When you need a delicious and healthy dinner on the table fast, this BBQ Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Breast recipe is about to become your new best friend. It’s packed with flavor, incredibly simple to prepare, and perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without a lot of fuss.
This recipe takes tender chicken breasts and coats them in a sweet and tangy marinade that caramelizes beautifully on the grill. It’s a family-friendly meal that even the pickiest eaters will enjoy, making it a fantastic addition to your regular dinner rotation.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
BBQ Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Breast
- Total Time: 37-45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This BBQ Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Breast recipe is a quick, flavorful, and healthy dinner option perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts are coated in a sweet and tangy marinade and grilled to perfection, making it a family-friendly meal that’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the boneless, skinless chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If very thick, pound them lightly to an even 1-inch thickness.
2. Whisk the Marinade: In a medium bowl, combine the BBQ sauce, honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
3. Marinate the Chicken: Place the patted-dry chicken breasts into the bowl with the marinade, or put them in a large zip-top bag. Ensure each piece of chicken is fully coated. Marinate at room temperature for at least 15-20 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
4. Preheat the Grill: While the chicken is marinating, preheat your outdoor grill to medium-high heat (about 400-425 F). Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
5. Grill the Chicken: Carefully place the marinated chicken breasts on the hot, oiled grill grates. Discard any remaining marinade. Grill for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F when measured with an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.
6. Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the grill and transfer it to a clean cutting board or plate. Tent it loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Slice and serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley or chives if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: grilling
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
Keywords: chicken, bbq, honey mustard, grilled, quick, easy, healthy, weeknight, dinner, poultry
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a true winner for so many reasons. First and foremost, it’s incredibly quick, making it ideal for those evenings when you’re short on time but still want to serve a homemade meal. The prep work is minimal, and the grilling time is efficient, meaning you can go from kitchen to table in under 30 minutes. It’s also wonderfully healthy, focusing on lean protein and fresh flavors, which aligns perfectly with a balanced diet. This dish is designed for busy parents, individuals looking for simple meal prep options, or anyone who appreciates a flavorful, fuss-free dinner. It shines as a weeknight main course, but it’s also fantastic for a casual backyard barbecue or a quick lunch reheat.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this BBQ Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Breast is straightforward. Most items are likely already in your pantry, ensuring a stress-free cooking experience.
INGREDIENTS:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total)
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste (optional, after grilling)
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (for garnish, optional)
For the BBQ sauce, feel free to use any brand you prefer, whether it’s a smoky, sweet, or slightly spicy variety. The key is to choose one you genuinely enjoy, as it forms the base of our marinade. If you don’t have Dijon mustard, a good quality yellow mustard can work in a pinch, though Dijon offers a more complex flavor. Olive oil is recommended for its flavor and grilling properties, but any neutral cooking oil like vegetable or canola oil will also work.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for your busiest days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Marinating Time: 15-20 minutes (or longer if preferred, but 15 is enough for flavor)
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 37-45 minutes (including minimum marinating time)
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Making this BBQ Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Breast is incredibly simple. Follow these steps for perfectly cooked, flavorful chicken every time.
- Prepare the Chicken: Start by patting the boneless, skinless chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps the marinade adhere better and promotes a nicer sear. If your chicken breasts are very thick, you can pound them lightly to an even 1-inch thickness to ensure even cooking.
- Whisk the Marinade: In a medium bowl, combine the BBQ sauce, honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Whisk everything together thoroughly until the marinade is smooth and well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the patted-dry chicken breasts into the bowl with the marinade, or put them in a large zip-top bag. Ensure each piece of chicken is fully coated with the marinade. Let it marinate at room temperature for at least 15-20 minutes. If you have more time, you can refrigerate it for up to 4 hours, but for a quick dinner, 15 minutes is sufficient.
- Preheat the Grill: While the chicken is marinating, preheat your outdoor grill to medium-high heat (about 400-425°F). Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. You’ll know the grill is ready when you can hold your hand about 5 inches above the grates for only 3-4 seconds.
- Grill the Chicken: Carefully place the marinated chicken breasts on the hot, oiled grill grates. Discard any remaining marinade that was in contact with raw chicken. Grill for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F when measured with an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken. You should see nice grill marks and a slightly caramelized exterior.
- Rest and Serve: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill and transfer it to a clean cutting board or plate. Tent it loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and moist chicken. Slice and serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley or chives if desired.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This BBQ Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides, making it easy to fit into any family meal. For a simple side, consider a quick green salad with a light vinaigrette or some steamed green beans. Roasted potatoes or a fluffy rice pilaf are also excellent choices that soak up the delicious sauce.
To make it even more kid-friendly, you can slice the cooked chicken into strips and serve it with extra BBQ honey mustard sauce for dipping. It also works wonderfully as a topping for a fresh summer salad, adding a protein boost and a burst of flavor. For a more substantial meal, consider serving it alongside corn on the cob or a classic potato salad. You can also shred any leftover chicken and use it in wraps, sandwiches, or even on top of a homemade pizza.
If you want to vary the flavor, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika to the marinade for an extra layer of smoky depth, or a tiny dash of cayenne pepper if you like a little heat. A squeeze of fresh lime juice after grilling can also brighten up the flavors beautifully.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for can help you achieve perfect results every time.
One frequent mistake is overcooking the chicken. Chicken breasts are lean and can dry out quickly. Always use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove the chicken from the grill as soon as it reaches this temperature, as it will continue to cook slightly while resting.
Another common issue is chicken sticking to the grill. This usually happens if the grill grates aren’t clean or sufficiently oiled, or if the grill isn’t hot enough. Make sure your grill is preheated to the correct temperature and that the grates are brushed clean and then lightly oiled before placing the chicken down. Don’t try to flip the chicken too soon; let it develop a good sear, and it will release more easily.
Finally, not resting the chicken is a mistake that leads to drier meat. The resting period is crucial for allowing the juices that have been pushed to the center of the meat during cooking to redistribute throughout the entire breast. Skipping this step means those delicious juices will run out onto your cutting board instead of staying in your chicken. Always tent and rest for at least 5-10 minutes.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This BBQ Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Breast is excellent for meal prep and stores well, making your weeknights even easier.
To store leftovers, allow the cooked chicken to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate promptly for up to 3-4 days. For best results, store whole chicken breasts or larger slices rather than shredding them, as this helps retain moisture.
If you want to make it ahead, you can prepare the marinade up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. You can also marinate the chicken for a longer period (up to 4 hours in the fridge) if you have time, which can deepen the flavor.
When reheating, avoid drying out the chicken. For best texture, slice the chicken and gently warm it in a skillet over medium-low heat with a tablespoon of water or chicken broth, covered, until just heated through. You can also microwave it briefly, but be careful not to overheat. Reheating whole breasts in the oven at a low temperature (around 300°F) covered with foil can also work well to maintain moisture.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great alternative. They are generally more forgiving and tend to stay juicier. The cooking time will be slightly longer, typically 8-10 minutes per side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 175°F.
What if I don’t have a grill? Can I bake or pan-fry it?
Yes, you can! To bake, preheat your oven to 400°
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
