Description
Baked honey mustard chicken and apples blend sweet and tangy flavors that dance across your dinner plate. Tender chicken breasts roasted with crisp apple slices make weeknight meals delightfully simple and totally delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and/or chicken breasts
- 2 medium semi-sweet apples
- 2 shallots
- 2 leeks
Seasoning Ingredients:
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey
- Olive oil
- Sea salt
Liquid Ingredients:
- ¼ cup apple cider or juice
- ¼ cup chicken stock
- ¼ cup calvados apple brandy or white wine
- ¼ cup creme fraiche, sour cream, or dairy-free yogurt
Instructions
- Whisk ¼ cup Dijon mustard, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons honey, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and a pinch of sea salt into a smooth marinade. Coat your chicken pieces completely in this mixture and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Select a large baking dish that will hold your chicken pieces comfortably without overcrowding.
- Quarter 2 shallots and slice 2 medium semi-sweet apples into ½-inch thick wedges. Thinly slice 2 leeks, using only white and light green parts.
- Arrange marinated chicken pieces skin-side up in the baking dish. Scatter shallots, apple slices, and leeks around the chicken.
- Pour ¼ cup apple cider, ¼ cup chicken stock, and ¼ cup calvados evenly over the entire dish. The liquid will help keep your chicken moist during baking.
- Roast at 375°F for 45-50 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and skin turns golden brown and crispy.
- Optional: Stir ¼ cup creme fraiche into the pan juices just before serving to create a creamy, tangy sauce that complements the roasted chicken and apples.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for maximum flavor by letting it sit in the mixture for up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
- Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape during baking and provide a nice contrast to the sweet honey mustard.
- Check chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F, preventing overcooking while guaranteeing food safety.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular Dijon mustard for a certified gluten-free mustard and verify all other ingredients are gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 to 8
- Calories: 340 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg