Amazing 20-Minute Honey Mustard Chicken Bites

Name: Amazing 20-Minute Honey Mustard Chicken Bites
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes; 1 tablespoon olive oil; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; ¼ teaspoon garlic powder; 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

By anna Boncoeur On December 22, 2025

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If you’re anything like me, you need dinner on the table fast, but you absolutely refuse to sacrifice flavor! That’s why I’m thrilled to share these Honey Mustard Chicken Bites with you today. Seriously, these things come together in about 20 minutes, which is faster than most takeout menus!

I’m Anna, and as a lifelong food lover, my goal is always to make everyday cooking easier and bring a little more joy to your kitchen routine. I focus on sharing simple, flavorful chicken recipes that busy cooks like you can rely on. Forget complicated steps; these Honey Mustard Chicken Bites prove that sweet, tangy, and savory perfection doesn’t need hours in the kitchen.

Table Of content

Essential Components for Perfect Honey Mustard Chicken Bites

You know, the difference between a good chicken dinner and a *wow* chicken dinner often comes down to ingredient quality and knowing why you’re using what you’re using. These Honey Mustard Chicken Bites rely on a few simple components, but treating them right makes all the difference in texture and that amazing glaze.

We aren’t doing anything fancy here, but precision matters. We need that chicken to sear beautifully, and the sauce needs that perfect balance of sweet, sharp, and savory. Let’s look at what you need to pull this off!

Gathering Your Chicken and Seasonings

For the best texture in these Honey Mustard Chicken Bites, you absolutely must start with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Cut them into uniform 1-inch cubes. Consistency is key here so they all cook at the same speed, right? Don’t skip patting them completely dry with paper towels—moisture is the enemy of a good sear!

The seasoning blend is super basic but crucial: just salt, pepper, and garlic powder. We use about half a teaspoon of salt, but honestly, you should always feel free to adjust that up or down to your taste. This simple coating gives the chicken a savory base before it even hits that sweet glaze.

Crafting the Tangy Honey Mustard Glaze

This sauce is where the magic happens, trust me! We need two types of mustard for depth. Dijon gives you that sharp, classic mustard punch, while the whole-grain variety adds texture and a slightly earthier note. Don’t try to substitute both with just one kind, or you lose that complexity!

Then we balance the sweetness of the honey with a little bit of acid—I love using apple cider vinegar because it’s bright, but lemon juice works just as well in a pinch. Finally, we add a tiny bit of olive oil and minced fresh garlic right into the pan once the chicken is out. That fresh garlic sizzled briefly in the pan before we add the liquids really wakes up the whole glaze.

Equipment Needed for Making Honey Mustard Chicken Bites

You don’t need a ton of fancy gear for these quick bites! You’ll want a good large skillet—cast iron is great if you have one, but any non-stick will do the job. Tongs are essential for turning the chicken evenly. And please, please use an instant-read thermometer. It takes the guesswork out of making sure your chicken is perfectly cooked and safe!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Quick Honey Mustard Chicken Bites

Okay, let’s get cooking! Since these Honey Mustard Chicken Bites are designed for speed, efficiency is everything. We are going to use the same pan for searing and saucing, which means incredible flavor concentration. Follow these steps closely, and you’ll have dinner ready in under 20 minutes, guaranteed.

Preparing and Searing the Chicken

First things first: grab those cubed chicken pieces and make sure they are bone dry. I mean it—blot them really well with paper towels. Now, toss them gently in a bowl with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder until everything is lightly coated. This light seasoning is just the base layer.

Next, get your large skillet over medium-high heat and add that first tablespoon of olive oil. You want the oil shimmering a bit before the chicken goes in. Place the chicken cubes into the hot pan, but here’s a crucial tip: don’t overcrowd the pan! If you pile them up, they will steam instead of sear. Cook them in batches if you need to. Let them sit undisturbed for about 3 or 4 minutes to get that nice golden-brown crust. Flip them over and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. You are looking for them to be golden on all sides and, most importantly, reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Use that thermometer!

Once they hit that safe temperature, immediately scoop the cooked chicken out onto a clean plate and set it aside. Don’t wipe out the pan; those browned bits are flavor gold!

Developing the Flavorful Honey Mustard Sauce

With the heat still on medium, quickly whisk together all the sauce ingredients right there in that hot skillet: the Dijon, the honey, the whole-grain mustard, the apple cider vinegar, the second tablespoon of olive oil, and that minced garlic. Scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan as you whisk—that’s called deglazing, and it builds so much flavor!

Let this mixture bubble gently for about 1 to 2 minutes. You’ll notice it starts to get a little thicker, almost glossy, as the sauce reduces slightly. It won’t be thick like gravy, but it should coat the back of your spoon just a bit. Keep the heat steady so it doesn’t burn, but you want it simmering.

Finishing and Glazing Your Honey Mustard Chicken Bites

Now for the grand finale! Return all those perfectly cooked chicken pieces back into the skillet with the simmering sauce. Turn the heat down just a touch if the sauce seems too frantic.

Use your tongs to toss everything together gently but thoroughly. We want every single one of these Honey Mustard Chicken Bites coated beautifully in that sweet and tangy glaze. Let them cook together for just 1 to 2 more minutes. This final toss lets the chicken absorb the sauce and makes the glaze stick perfectly, giving you that gorgeous, shiny finish. Transfer them immediately to a serving dish and sprinkle that fresh chopped parsley right over the top for color and freshness. These are best eaten right away!

Tips for Achieving Amazing Honey Mustard Chicken Bites Every Time

I’ve made this recipe so many times I could do it in my sleep, and I’ve learned a few tricks to make sure your Honey Mustard Chicken Bites are always restaurant-quality. The biggest mistake I see people make is rushing the searing step. You really need that medium-high heat and space in the pan!

If you cram too many chicken cubes in at once, the temperature drops instantly, and they release all their moisture. Instead of getting that lovely golden crust, you end up with pale, soggy chicken that tastes boiled. Trust me, it’s worth cooking in two smaller batches if your pan isn’t huge. That sear locks in the juices!

Another tip for perfect Honey Mustard Chicken Bites is the quality of your honey. If your honey is very thick or crystallized, warm it up slightly in the microwave for just 10 seconds before measuring. This ensures it mixes smoothly into the sauce without clumping. Also, don’t skip the fresh parsley garnish at the end! It might seem optional, but that little bit of fresh green cuts through the richness of the honey and mustard beautifully.

Serving Suggestions for Your Honey Mustard Chicken Bites

These Honey Mustard Chicken Bites are so versatile, which is why they are such a lifesaver for busy weeknights! While they are fantastic eaten straight off the fork—seriously, they disappear fast—they really shine when paired with something to soak up that extra glaze.

For a super quick, healthy dinner, serve them over fluffy white rice or brown rice. Quinoa is another great, protein-packed option if you want something heartier. If you are keeping things low-carb, try tossing these glazed bites with some roasted broccoli or green beans. The slight char on the vegetables contrasts perfectly with the sweet, tangy chicken. A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette also works beautifully to round out the meal. Enjoy making your plate!

Storing and Refreshing Leftover Honey Mustard Chicken Bites

I always hope there are leftovers because these Honey Mustard Chicken Bites are genuinely good the next day, but you have to store and reheat them correctly. The biggest danger is drying them out or making the glaze sticky and weird. The key is gentle reheating, not blasting them!

For best results, let the bites cool completely before putting them into an airtight container. They’ll last a few days in the fridge, but if you’re planning ahead, they freeze like a dream. Just make sure that container is sealed tight so they don’t pick up any funny smells from the fridge.

When it’s time to eat them again, skip the microwave if you can manage it! The stovetop or oven keeps the texture much better. Here’s a quick guide for how long to keep them and how to bring them back to life.

Storage Guidelines Table

Storage Location	Maximum Time	Best Reheating Method
Refrigerator	3 to 4 days	Skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water
Freezer	Up to 2 months	Thaw in the fridge, then reheat in the oven at 350°F

Frequently Asked Questions About Honey Mustard Chicken Bites

I get so many messages asking about variations and little tweaks for these quick Honey Mustard Chicken Bites! Since I want everyone to have success, here are answers to the most common questions I hear about adapting the recipe.

Can I bake these instead of pan-searing?

Yes, you absolutely can bake them, though the texture will be different—less crusty, more uniform. If you want to bake your Honey Mustard Chicken Bites, toss the seasoned chicken with just a tiny bit of oil and arrange it on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 15 to 18 minutes, until they hit 165°F. Then, toss them in the prepared sauce on the stovetop just for a minute to glaze them up!

What is the best type of mustard to use?

The combination is what really matters here! Dijon mustard brings the sharp, vinegary punch that cuts through the sweetness of the honey. The whole-grain mustard is my personal favorite addition because those little seeds give you a fantastic texture pop in every bite. If you only have smooth Dijon, use a little extra, but try to find a jar of whole-grain mustard—it’s worth it for the best Honey Mustard Chicken Bites!

How can I make this dish spicier?

If you like a little heat with your sweet and tangy, it’s really easy to ramp up the spice level in these Honey Mustard Chicken Bites. I usually add about half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper right in with the salt and pepper when seasoning the raw chicken. You could also whisk a teaspoon of your favorite hot sauce into the glaze mixture when you are simmering it. Start small; you can always add more heat!

Nutritional Information Disclaimer

I always aim to give you the best, most helpful information, but please remember that the nutritional data provided for these Honey Mustard Chicken Bites is just an estimate. Because brands of mustard, honey, and even the fat content in your chicken breasts vary so much, your final dish might look a little different on the nutrition label. I always recommend using fresh, whole ingredients for the best results!

Share Your Experience Making Honey Mustard Chicken Bites

I really hope these quick Honey Mustard Chicken Bites make your weeknights a little tastier and a lot less stressful! I’d absolutely love to hear how they turned out for you. Did you manage to get that perfect golden sear? Please leave a star rating below or drop a comment telling me what you served them with. Seeing your success in the kitchen is what keeps me sharing these simple recipes!