Looking for a delicious and easy dish that’s perfect for any occasion? Look no further than this Baked Honey Mustard Chicken and Apples recipe! The combination of sweet and savory flavors makes this dish a crowd-pleaser that you’ll want to make again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Great flavors: The tangy Dijon mustard and sweet honey paired with the tender chicken and apples create a mouth-watering combination.
- Quick prep time: With just a few simple ingredients, you can have this dish ready to bake in no time.
- Perfect for meal prep: This dish reheats beautifully, making it a great option for meal prepping lunches or dinners for the week.
Ingredient Notes:
- Dijon mustard: Adds a tangy flavor to the dish.
- Apple cider vinegar: Provides a subtle acidity that balances the sweetness of the honey.
- Honey: Sweetens the dish and helps to caramelize the chicken.
- Olive oil: Used for cooking the chicken and apples.
- Sea salt: Enhances the flavors of the dish.
- Chicken thighs and/or chicken breasts: Use bone-in, skin-on for extra flavor and moisture.
- Shallots: Add a mild onion flavor.
- Apples: Use Honey Crisp, Pink Lady, or Gala for their sweetness.
- Leeks: Provide a mild onion flavor.
- Apple cider or juice: Adds sweetness and depth to the sauce.
- Chicken stock: Adds richness to the sauce.
- Calvados apple brandy or white wine: Optional for extra flavor.
- Creme fraiche, sour cream, or dairy-free yogurt: Optional for a creamy finish.
Step-By-Step Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a bowl, mix together the Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, and a pinch of salt.
- Rub the chicken with the mustard mixture and let it marinate for 15-20 minutes.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Brown the chicken on both sides, then transfer to a baking dish.
- In the same skillet, sauté the shallots, apples, and leeks until softened.
- Add apple cider or juice, chicken stock, and calvados or wine to the skillet.
- Pour the mixture over the chicken in the baking dish.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve with a dollop of creme fraiche, sour cream, or yogurt if desired.
Helpful Tips:
- For a crispier skin, broil the chicken for the last few minutes of baking.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Feel free to swap the apples for pears for a different flavor profile.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Use a mix of chicken thighs and breasts for a variety of textures.
- Add a splash of apple cider vinegar to the sauce before serving for an extra kick of acidity.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve this Baked Honey Mustard Chicken and Apples with a side of roasted vegetables or a simple green salad. Pair it with a glass of crisp white wine for a complete meal.

Storage and Reheating Tips:
To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through to maintain the best flavor and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use boneless, skinless chicken for this recipe?
- While bone-in, skin-on chicken will yield the best flavor and texture, you can use boneless, skinless chicken if preferred. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Can I make this dish ahead of time?
- Yes, you can prepare the dish up to the baking step ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Can I freeze this dish?
- This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze any leftovers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Conclusion:
Give this Baked Honey Mustard Chicken and Apples recipe a try and experience the delicious flavors for yourself! Don’t forget to share your feedback and enjoy this versatile dish for any occasion. Happy cooking!
Print
Baked Honey Mustard Chicken and Apples
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Total Time: 1 hr
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Baked Honey Mustard Chicken and Apples recipe combines the tangy flavors of Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar with the sweetness of honey and apples, creating a delicious and comforting dish.
Ingredients
Marinade:
-
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey
- Olive oil
- Sea salt
Chicken and Apples:
- 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and/or chicken breasts
- 2 shallots, quartered
- 2 medium semi-sweet apples, cored and sliced
- 2 leeks, white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup apple cider or juice
- 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 1/4 cup calvados apple brandy or white wine
- 1/4 cup creme fraiche, sour cream, or dairy-free yogurt (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: Mix Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, olive oil, and sea salt. Marinate chicken in the mixture for at least 30 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange chicken, shallots, apples, and leeks in a baking dish. Pour apple cider, chicken stock, and calvados over the chicken. Bake for about 45-50 minutes.
- Finish: Optional step to stir in creme fraiche, sour cream, or yogurt to the sauce. Serve the chicken with the apple mixture on top.
Notes
- You can substitute the chicken stock with vegetable stock for a vegetarian version.
- For a dairy-free option, skip the creme fraiche or sour cream.
- Make sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it’s fully cooked before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approximately 400 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg