My Go-To Weeknight Dinner
Let’s talk about easy chicken dinner ideas. We all need them. This honey mustard chicken recipe is my favorite. It feels fancy but is so simple. You can have it on the table in about 30 minutes. That’s why I call it one of my best weeknight dinner recipes.
I love how the whole meal comes together. The chicken sizzles in the skillet. The asparagus roasts in the oven. Your kitchen will smell amazing. It makes a busy night feel special. What is your family’s favorite quick and easy chicken dish?
The Magic of a Simple Glaze
The star here is the honey mustard glaze. Just three things mixed in a bowl. Honey, mustard, and a little water. It bubbles up into a sticky, sweet sauce. It coats every piece of chicken perfectly.
*Fun fact: mustard helps balance the sweetness of honey. This matters because it keeps the sauce from being too sugary. It makes the flavor just right. My grandson once tried to drink the extra sauce. I still laugh at that!
Don’t Forget the Green Spears!
Now, for the roasted asparagus recipe. Do not skip this step. Toss those green spears with oil and garlic powder. The high heat makes them tender and a little crispy. They become sweet all on their own.
Roasting vegetables changes everything. This matters because it makes eating your greens a joy, not a chore. It brings out their natural sugar. Do you prefer your veggies roasted or steamed? I am a roasting fan for life.
Building Your Perfect Bowl
Here is the fun part. We build honey mustard chicken bowls. Start with fluffy jasmine rice. It soaks up that delicious sauce. Then pile on the saucy chicken and roasted asparagus. Finish with a sprinkle of green onions for a fresh bite.
This is a complete meal in a bowl. It is also perfect for meal prep chicken bowls. Make a big batch on Sunday. Then you have lunch ready for days. Do you like to meal prep for your week?
Why This Meal Wins
This meal is more than just food. It is one of those 30 minute meals that brings everyone to the table. The colors are pretty. The flavors make you smile. It feels like you tried hard, but the work was easy.
That is the real secret. Good food does not have to be hard. This matters because cooking should be fun, not stressful. A simple, tasty dinner can turn a regular weeknight into something lovely. Give it a try this week.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Asparagus spears | 1 pound | woody ends trimmed off |
| Olive oil | 2 tablespoons | divided |
| Kosher salt and pepper | to taste | |
| Garlic powder | to taste | |
| Boneless, skinless chicken breasts | 1 ½ pounds | cut into chunks |
| Honey | ⅓ cup | |
| Dijon mustard | 1 tablespoon | |
| Water | 1/4 cup | |
| Garlic cloves | 4 | minced |
| Green onions | 3 | thinly sliced |
| Jasmine rice | for serving |
Instructions
Step 1: First, get your oven hot. I set mine to 425 degrees. Line a pan for your asparagus. This is a perfect start for weeknight dinner recipes. It makes clean-up so simple later. Doesn’t that smell amazing when it heats up?
Step 2: Toss your asparagus with oil and seasonings. Use your hands, it’s fun! Roast it until it’s bright green. (Snap one spear to test doneness, it should be tender-crisp). This roasted asparagus recipe is a family favorite. What’s your favorite veggie to roast? Share below!
Step 3: Now for the easy chicken dinner. Pat your chicken chunks very dry. This helps them get a nice golden sear. Heat oil in a big skillet. I still laugh at the sizzle sound it makes.
Step 4: Brown the chicken on all sides. Don’t crowd the pan. This is key for 30 minute meals. While it cooks, whisk the honey mustard glaze. It’s just honey, mustard, water, and garlic.
Step 5: Pour your glaze over the chicken. Let it bubble and get sticky. Toss it often so every piece is coated. Top it with those fresh green onions. Your quick and easy chicken is ready!
Creative Twists
Swap in salmon. Use this same honey mustard glaze on a fish fillet. It’s so good.
Make it a salad. Skip the rice. Serve the chicken on a big bed of greens.
Add some fruit. Toss in a handful of apricots while the sauce simmers. Sweet and tangy!
Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving & Pairing Ideas
For perfect honey mustard chicken bowls, start with fluffy jasmine rice. It soaks up the extra glaze beautifully. This honey mustard chicken recipe is great for meal prep chicken bowls, too. Just keep everything separate until you’re ready to eat. A squeeze of fresh lemon over the asparagus adds a bright finish. Which would you choose tonight?
Making It Last: Fridge, Freezer, and Reheating Tips
Let’s talk about keeping your honey mustard chicken bowls tasty for later. This honey mustard chicken recipe is a perfect weeknight dinner. But you can make it a future easy chicken dinner too. Cool everything completely before storing. Keep the chicken, sauce, and asparagus separate in airtight containers.
They will last three days in the fridge. For the freezer, the chicken and sauce freeze beautifully for two months. I remember my first time freezing a sauce. I was so worried it would be a mess. It reheated perfectly, like a little gift to my future self.
To reheat, thaw frozen items in the fridge overnight. Warm the chicken and sauce gently in a pan with a splash of water. This keeps the honey mustard glaze from getting too sticky. Reheat the asparagus in the oven or toaster oven to keep it crisp. Batch cooking like this matters. It turns a 30 minute meal into a 30-second meal on a busy night.
Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Kitchen Hiccups
We all run into little problems while cooking. Here are three easy fixes. First, if your sauce is too thin, let it simmer a bit longer. A good simmer helps the honey mustard glaze thicken and cling to the chicken. This matters because a glossy sauce makes every bite delicious.
Second, soggy asparagus is no fun. Make sure your oven is fully hot before roasting. I once put them in a warm oven. They steamed instead of roasting! Crowding the pan also causes sogginess. Give those spears some space.
Third, dry chicken is disappointing. Always pat your chicken dry before seasoning. This helps it get a nice sear, sealing in the juices. Cooking it just until done keeps it tender. This builds your cooking confidence. You learn to trust your eyes and your timer.
Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Questions, Answered
What is the best mustard for glazing chicken?
Dijon mustard is the best choice for this honey mustard chicken recipe. It has a smooth, sharp flavor that isn’t too bitter. It mixes perfectly with the honey to create a balanced, tasty glaze. Yellow mustard can be a bit too sharp and vinegary for this sauce. Dijon helps make a rich, golden coating that everyone will love on their easy chicken dinner.
Can I use frozen asparagus for roasting?
You can use frozen asparagus, but thaw it first. Pat the spears very dry with paper towels. This is key for a good roasted asparagus recipe. If you roast them while frozen, they will release too much water. They will steam and become soggy instead of getting those nice, crispy tips. For the best texture, fresh asparagus is my top pick for this jasmine rice bowl.
How do I prevent the mustard glaze from burning?
Keep the heat at a steady medium after adding the honey mustard glaze. Let it bubble gently. Stir or toss the chicken often. This constant movement keeps the sugars in the honey from sticking and burning. If the sauce thickens too fast, add another tablespoon of water. This simple trick protects your sauce for perfect meal prep chicken bowls every time.
What sides go well with mustard chicken and asparagus?
This dish is wonderful over fluffy jasmine rice. The rice soaks up the extra honey mustard glaze. For a fun fact, jasmine rice gets its name from its sweet, floral smell! You could also serve it with couscous, quinoa, or mashed potatoes. A simple green salad or some crusty bread on the side rounds out this quick and easy chicken meal beautifully.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! This is a fantastic make-ahead meal for your weeknight dinner recipes list. Cook everything as directed. Let it cool completely. Store the chicken, sauce, and asparagus separately in the fridge for up to three days. When ready, reheat gently. This makes assembling your honey mustard chicken bowls a breeze. It turns cooking from a chore into a simple, satisfying task.
What temperature should the chicken be cooked to?
Cook your chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the safe temperature for poultry. I recommend using a simple meat thermometer. It takes the guesswork out of cooking. Insert it into the thickest piece of chicken. Once it reads 165°, your chicken is done. This ensures your chicken is both safe to eat and wonderfully juicy, not dry.
Which tip will you try first?
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope this recipe brings a warm, tasty meal to your table. It has all my favorite things. It is simple, flavorful, and made for sharing. Cooking should be a joy, not a stress. These quick and easy chicken dishes are meant to help with that.
I love hearing your stories and seeing your creations. Your kitchen adventures make my day. So please, tell me all about it.
Have you tried this recipe? Let me know how it went in the comments below!
Happy cooking!
—Grace Hollander.
Mustard Glazed Chicken with Roasted Asparagus
Description
A quick and flavorful weeknight meal featuring honey mustard glazed chicken served with roasted asparagus and jasmine rice.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the asparagus on the sheet. Toss with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Season all over with salt and pepper and garlic powder. Place in the oven to roast for 10 to 15 minutes (or even shorter, if you are using very thin asparagus).
- Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a large cast iron skillet. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. Season all over with the salt, pepper and garlic powder.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and brown on all sides, cooking for 3 to 4 minutes before flipping and cooking for 3 to 4 minutes more.
- Whisk together the honey, mustard, water and garlic.
- Once the chicken is browned, pour the honey mixture into the pan. Toss well. Let it bubble and simmer, toss the chicken often, cooking for 3 to 4 minutes – until the sauce has thickened and coats all the chicken. Top with the sliced green onions.
- Serve the chicken over rice with the asparagus.
Notes
- For crispier asparagus, place it in a single layer on the baking sheet. Adjust the honey-mustard sauce to taste by adding more mustard for tang or more honey for sweetness.