Honey Mustard Roast Chicken: A Deliciously Easy Weeknight Dinner

Roast chicken is a classic for a reason. It’s comforting, relatively easy to make, and provides plenty of leftovers for sandwiches, salads, or even another meal. But sometimes, we need to elevate the humble roast chicken with a flavor that’s both familiar and exciting. Enter the honey mustard glaze! This recipe for Honey Mustard Roast Chicken is a winner because it combines the savory goodness of roasted chicken with the sweet and tangy kick of a perfectly balanced honey mustard sauce. It’s the perfect weeknight meal that feels special enough for a weekend dinner party.

## Why This Honey Mustard Roast Chicken Recipe Works

This isn’t just another roast chicken recipe. Here’s why this one stands out:

* **Flavor Explosion:** The honey mustard glaze creates a beautiful caramelized crust that’s bursting with flavor. The sweetness of the honey balances perfectly with the tang of the mustard, making it irresistible.
* **Easy to Make:** Don’t let the impressive flavors fool you. This recipe is surprisingly simple and requires minimal effort. It’s perfect for busy weeknights.
* **Perfectly Cooked Chicken:** We’ll guide you through the steps to ensure your chicken is juicy and tender, not dry and overcooked.
* **Customizable:** Feel free to adapt the recipe to your liking. Add your favorite herbs and spices, or adjust the honey-to-mustard ratio to suit your taste.
* **Crowd-Pleaser:** Everyone loves a good roast chicken, and this honey mustard version is sure to be a hit with family and friends.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start, gather these ingredients:

* **1 whole chicken (3-4 pounds):** Choose a good quality chicken for the best flavor. Look for air-chilled chicken if possible.
* **1/4 cup olive oil:** For rubbing the chicken and helping it to brown.
* **1/4 cup Dijon mustard:** The base of our tangy glaze.
* **2 tablespoons honey:** Adds sweetness and helps with caramelization.
* **1 tablespoon whole grain mustard:** Adds texture and a more complex mustard flavor.
* **1 tablespoon lemon juice:** Brightens the glaze and tenderizes the chicken.
* **1 teaspoon garlic powder:** For savory flavor.
* **1 teaspoon paprika:** Adds color and a smoky flavor.
* **1/2 teaspoon dried thyme:** An aromatic herb that complements the chicken and honey mustard.
* **1/2 teaspoon salt:** To enhance the flavors.
* **1/4 teaspoon black pepper:** For a touch of spice.
* **Optional: Vegetables for roasting:** Such as carrots, potatoes, onions, and celery. These add flavor to the chicken drippings and make a complete meal.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* **Roasting pan:** A roasting pan with a rack is ideal, but you can also use a baking sheet with a wire rack.
* **Mixing bowl:** For preparing the honey mustard glaze.
* **Basting brush:** For applying the glaze to the chicken.
* **Meat thermometer:** Essential for ensuring the chicken is cooked through.
* **Kitchen twine (optional):** For trussing the chicken.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get to the fun part – making the Honey Mustard Roast Chicken! Follow these detailed instructions for perfect results:

**Step 1: Prepare the Chicken**

1. **Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).** Make sure your oven is properly preheated for even cooking.
2. **Remove giblets:** Take the chicken out of the refrigerator and remove any giblets or neck from the cavity. Discard or save for making stock.
3. **Pat the chicken dry:** Use paper towels to thoroughly pat the chicken dry, inside and out. This is crucial for achieving crispy skin. Moisture is the enemy of crispy skin!
4. **Optional: Truss the chicken:** Trussing the chicken helps it cook more evenly and gives it a nicer presentation. To truss, use kitchen twine to tie the legs together and then bring the twine around the body of the chicken, securing the wings close to the body. If you don’t have twine, don’t worry; you can skip this step.

**Step 2: Prepare the Honey Mustard Glaze**

1. **In a mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, whole grain mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.** Make sure all the ingredients are well combined.
2. **Taste and adjust:** Give the glaze a taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking. You may want to add more honey for a sweeter glaze or more mustard for a tangier one.

**Step 3: Glaze the Chicken**

1. **Brush the chicken with the honey mustard glaze.** Use a basting brush to generously coat the entire chicken, including under the skin of the breast (if possible). This will ensure maximum flavor and a beautiful, caramelized crust.
2. **Reserve some glaze:** Set aside about 1/4 of the glaze for basting later.

**Step 4: Roast the Chicken**

1. **Place the chicken in the roasting pan.** If using vegetables, scatter them around the chicken in the pan.
2. **Roast for 1 hour.** After 1 hour, baste the chicken with the reserved honey mustard glaze.
3. **Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).** This will prevent the chicken from burning and ensure it cooks through evenly.
4. **Continue roasting for another 30-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.** Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, making sure not to touch the bone.
5. **Baste occasionally:** During the last 30-45 minutes of cooking, baste the chicken with the pan drippings every 15 minutes to keep it moist and flavorful.

**Step 5: Rest and Serve**

1. **Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.** This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chicken. Tent the chicken loosely with foil to keep it warm.
2. **Carve the chicken and serve.** Carve the chicken into serving pieces and serve with the roasted vegetables (if using) and any pan juices. You can also serve it with sides like mashed potatoes, rice, or a salad.

## Tips for the Best Honey Mustard Roast Chicken

* **Use a good quality chicken:** The better the quality of the chicken, the better the flavor will be.
* **Don’t overcook the chicken:** Overcooked chicken is dry and tough. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it’s cooked to the correct temperature.
* **Let the chicken rest:** Resting the chicken allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bird.
* **Use a roasting rack:** A roasting rack allows air to circulate around the chicken, resulting in more even cooking and crispier skin.
* **Add vegetables to the roasting pan:** Roasting vegetables alongside the chicken adds flavor to the chicken drippings and makes a complete meal.
* **Baste frequently:** Basting the chicken with the pan drippings keeps it moist and flavorful.
* **Adjust the honey-to-mustard ratio to your liking:** If you prefer a sweeter glaze, add more honey. If you prefer a tangier glaze, add more mustard.
* **Experiment with herbs and spices:** Feel free to add your favorite herbs and spices to the glaze. Some good options include rosemary, sage, and oregano.
* **For extra crispy skin:** After patting the chicken dry, leave it uncovered in the refrigerator for a few hours (or overnight). This will help to dry out the skin even further, resulting in crispier skin when roasted.
* **Don’t overcrowd the roasting pan:** If you’re roasting vegetables alongside the chicken, make sure there’s enough space for air to circulate. Overcrowding the pan will steam the vegetables instead of roasting them.

## Variations and Substitutions

* **Spice it up:** Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the glaze for a touch of heat.
* **Add some citrus:** Use orange juice or grapefruit juice instead of lemon juice for a different citrus flavor.
* **Use different mustards:** Experiment with different types of mustard, such as spicy brown mustard or horseradish mustard.
* **Make it gluten-free:** Ensure your Dijon mustard is gluten-free.
* **Add some herbs to the cavity:** Stuff the chicken cavity with fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage for added flavor.
* **Use maple syrup instead of honey:** For a different sweetener, try using maple syrup.
* **Add some garlic:** Minced garlic can be added to the glaze or rubbed directly onto the chicken.

## Serving Suggestions

Honey Mustard Roast Chicken is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides. Here are a few suggestions:

* **Mashed potatoes:** A classic pairing for roast chicken.
* **Roasted vegetables:** Roasted carrots, potatoes, onions, and Brussels sprouts are a delicious and healthy side.
* **Rice:** White rice, brown rice, or wild rice are all good options.
* **Salad:** A simple green salad or a more elaborate salad with roasted vegetables and cheese.
* **Bread:** Crusty bread for soaking up the pan juices.
* **Green beans:** Steamed or roasted green beans are a simple and healthy side.
* **Asparagus:** Roasted or grilled asparagus is a delicious and elegant side.

## Storage and Reheating

* **Storage:** Leftover Honey Mustard Roast Chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat the chicken in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but it may not be as moist. To prevent it from drying out during reheating in the oven, add a little chicken broth or water to the bottom of the pan.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

Nutritional information will vary depending on the size of the chicken and the ingredients used. However, here is an approximate breakdown per serving (based on 6 servings):

* Calories: 400-500
* Protein: 40-50g
* Fat: 20-30g
* Carbohydrates: 10-15g

## Honey Mustard Roast Chicken Recipe Card

Here’s a printable recipe card for your convenience:

**Yields:** 6 servings
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 1 hour 30 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1 whole chicken (3-4 pounds)
* 1/4 cup olive oil
* 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
* 2 tablespoons honey
* 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1 teaspoon paprika
* 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* Optional: Vegetables for roasting (carrots, potatoes, onions, celery)

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Remove giblets from chicken and pat dry.
3. Optional: Truss the chicken.
4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, whole grain mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
5. Brush the chicken with the honey mustard glaze, reserving about 1/4 for basting.
6. Place the chicken in a roasting pan with vegetables (if using).
7. Roast for 1 hour.
8. Baste the chicken with the reserved honey mustard glaze.
9. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue roasting for another 30-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh. Baste occasionally with pan drippings.
10. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
11. Carve and serve with roasted vegetables and pan juices.

## Enjoy Your Delicious Honey Mustard Roast Chicken!

This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The combination of sweet and tangy flavors, combined with the perfectly roasted chicken, makes it a dish that everyone will love. Give it a try and let us know what you think in the comments below!