Quick Honey Mustard Chicken Bites

If you ask me, honey mustard chicken bites are a total game-changer.

These little nuggets of goodness combine two of everyone’s favorite flavors into one perfect appetizer or main dish. Tender chunks of chicken get coated in a smooth honey mustard sauce that’s just the right balance of sweet and tangy.

I love how quickly they come together – just cut up some chicken breast, mix up the sauce, and let everything get nice and golden in the pan. The outside gets slightly crispy while the inside stays juicy and tender.

It’s the kind of dish that disappears fast at parties, and my kids always ask for seconds when I make it for dinner.

What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the go-to choice for this recipe, though you could also use chicken tenders if you want to save some prep time. Fresh chicken works best, but if you’re using frozen chicken breasts, make sure they’re completely thawed and patted dry before cutting them into bite-sized pieces. Look for chicken breasts that are roughly the same size and thickness – this helps ensure even cooking time and prevents some pieces from drying out while others are still cooking. If your chicken breasts are particularly thick, you might want to slice them horizontally first before cutting them into bites to help them cook more evenly.

Options for Substitutions

This easy chicken recipe can be adapted with several simple swaps if you’re missing ingredients:

• Honey: You can swap honey with maple syrup or agave nectar. Brown sugar mixed with a tiny splash of water works too, though you might need to adjust the amount to taste.
• Dijon mustard: Regular yellow mustard works in a pinch, though the flavor will be different. Whole grain mustard is another good option, or even stone-ground mustard.
• Apple cider vinegar: White wine vinegar or regular white vinegar can replace apple cider vinegar. If using regular vinegar, you might want to add a tiny bit more honey to balance the sharper taste.
• Chicken breasts: Chicken thighs work great here and actually stay a bit more juicy. You can also use turkey breast cut into similar-sized pieces.
• Thyme: Fresh thyme works well (use 3/4 teaspoon), or try rosemary, herbs de Provence, or Italian seasoning instead.
• Olive oil: Any neutral cooking oil like vegetable oil, canola oil, or avocado oil will work just fine here.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when cooking chicken bites is getting that perfect golden-brown exterior while keeping the inside juicy – cutting your chicken pieces too small or too large can throw off the cooking time and lead to uneven results, so aim for consistent 1-inch cubes.

A common mistake is overcrowding the pan, which causes the chicken to steam instead of sear; work in batches if needed and leave enough space between pieces to get that nice caramelization from the honey mustard sauce.

Temperature control is crucial – cooking on too high heat will burn the honey in the sauce before the chicken is done, while too low heat won’t achieve that desired caramelization, so maintain a medium-high heat and keep an eye on the color.

For the juiciest results, let the chicken rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking, and remove the pieces from the pan just before they’re completely done, as they’ll continue cooking from residual heat.

What to Serve With Honey Mustard Chicken Bites?

These sweet and tangy chicken bites are super flexible when it comes to side dishes! For a quick weeknight dinner, I like to serve them over a bed of fluffy rice or quinoa to soak up all that tasty honey mustard sauce. A simple side salad with mixed greens and a light vinaigrette adds freshness, or you could go with some roasted vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts for extra nutrition. If you’re serving these as an appetizer or party snack, put out some toothpicks and pair them with a veggie platter and extra honey mustard sauce for dipping.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These honey mustard chicken bites stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. They’re perfect for meal prep and make great leftovers for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.

Freeze: If you want to make a bigger batch, these chicken bites freeze really well! Just let them cool completely, then pop them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. I like to portion them out before freezing so I can grab just what I need.

Reheat: To warm up your chicken bites, microwave them in 30-second intervals until heated through, or warm them in a skillet over medium-low heat for about 3-4 minutes. If they’re frozen, thaw them overnight in the fridge first. Add a splash of water when reheating to keep them moist.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	15-20 minutes
Total Time	25-35 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 600-700
• Protein: 80-90 g
• Fat: 20-25 g
• Carbohydrates: 20-30 g

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 to 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon thyme, dried
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Step 1: Prepare the Honey Mustard Glaze

In a small bowl, stir together the honey, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar until well combined.

Set this mixture aside, as it will be used to glaze the chicken later on.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

Cut the chicken into 1/2- to 3/4-inch cubes.

Place the chicken cubes in a bowl and sprinkle them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme.

Toss the chicken to ensure it is evenly coated with the seasonings.

Step 3: Heat the Skillet

Place a 10-inch cast iron skillet over high heat.

Test the heat by holding your hand about 6 inches above the pan.

When you can feel the heat, add the olive oil and swirl it around the pan to coat the surface.

Add one piece of chicken to the pan; it should start to sizzle and hiss.

If it doesn’t, wait another minute or two for the pan to heat up properly before proceeding.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken

Once the pan is hot enough, add the chicken cubes in a single layer.

Let them cook without stirring for 3-4 minutes, or until they are browned on the first side.

Flip the chicken pieces and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, ensuring even browning.

Step 5: Glaze and Finish Cooking

Pour the prepared honey mustard mixture over the chicken in the skillet.

Toss the chicken to coat it evenly with the glaze.

Allow the mixture to reduce, cooking for approximately 5 more minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and glazed beautifully.

Step 6: Serve

Once the chicken is fully cooked and glazed, remove it from the heat and serve immediately.

Enjoy your flavorful and succulent honey mustard glazed chicken!