Honey Mustard Chicken with Roasted Asparagus and Cheese

Honey Mustard Chicken with Roasted Asparagus and Cheese

This recipe combines sweet and savory honey mustard chicken with tender roasted asparagus, finished with a delicious cheesy topping for a complete, satisfying meal.

Honey Mustard Chicken with Roasted Asparagus and Cheese

Yields: 4 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25-30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Honey Mustard Chicken:

· 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
· ¼ cup Dijon mustard
· ¼ cup honey
· 2 tablespoons olive oil
· 2 cloves garlic, minced
· 1 tablespoon lemon juice
· 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
· ½ teaspoon salt
· ¼ teaspoon black pepper
· 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried thyme)

For the Roasted Asparagus:

· 1 lb fresh asparagus, tough ends trimmed
· 1 tablespoon olive oil
· ¼ teaspoon salt
· ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
· 1 lemon, sliced (for roasting)

For the Cheese Topping:

· 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
· ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
· 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Make Honey Mustard Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and thyme until well combined.
3. Prepare Chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If breasts are very thick, pound them to an even ½-inch thickness for even cooking. Place chicken on one side of the prepared baking sheet.
4. Prepare Asparagus: Place trimmed asparagus on the other side of the baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Arrange lemon slices around the asparagus.
5. Coat Chicken: Brush or spoon about ⅔ of the honey mustard sauce evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts, reserving the remaining sauce for serving.
6. Roast: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until chicken is almost cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
7. Add Cheese: Remove baking sheet from oven. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the chicken breasts.
8. Finish Baking: Return to oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly, and chicken is fully cooked.
9. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve immediately with roasted asparagus and reserved honey mustard sauce for drizzling.

Alternative Cooking Methods

Skillet Method:

· Cook chicken in an oven-safe skillet on stovetop until browned
· Add asparagus to skillet, brush with sauce
· Transfer to 400°F (200°C) oven for 15 minutes
· Add cheese last 5 minutes of baking

Grill Option:

· Grill chicken over medium heat for 6-8 minutes per side
· Grill asparagus in a grill basket alongside chicken
· Add cheese during last 2 minutes of grilling

Customization Ideas

Cheese Variations:

· Provolone: Use sliced provolone instead of shredded cheese
· Goat Cheese: Crumble goat cheese over chicken before serving
· Gruyère: Excellent melting cheese for sophisticated flavor

Vegetable Substitutions:

· Broccoli florets instead of asparagus
· Green beans or Brussels sprouts
· Bell peppers and zucchini slices

Sauce Twists:

· Add 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard for texture
· Mix in 1 teaspoon Sriracha for spicy honey mustard
· Add 1 tablespoon orange juice for citrus note

Serving Suggestions

Complete Meal Ideas:

· Serve with quinoa or rice pilaf
· Pair with roasted baby potatoes
· Accompany with crusty bread to soak up sauce
· Serve over a bed of mixed greens

Wine Pairings:

· Chardonnay (buttery notes complement the sauce)
· Pinot Noir (light enough not to overpower)
· Sauvignon Blanc (acidity cuts through the richness)

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

· Calories: ~450
· Protein: 45g
· Carbohydrates: 25g
· Fat: 18g
· Fiber: 3g

Tips for Success

Perfect Chicken:

· Pound chicken to even thickness for consistent cooking
· Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet
· Use meat thermometer – 165°F internal temperature

Crisp-Tender Asparagus:

· Trim tough ends by snapping naturally
· Dry asparagus thoroughly before oiling
· Don’t overcook – should be bright green with slight crunch

Sauce Excellence:

· Warm honey slightly if it’s crystallized
· Taste sauce and adjust sweetness/tang to preference
· Reserve some sauce for serving – heating can change flavor

Make-Ahead Instructions

Prep in Advance:

· Make honey mustard sauce up to 3 days ahead
· Trim asparagus and store wrapped in damp paper towels
· Pound chicken and refrigerate separately

Storage:

· Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days
· Reheat in oven at 350°F (175°C) for best texture
· Freeze without asparagus for up to 1 month

This elegant yet easy dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests. The combination of sweet honey mustard, tender chicken, roasted asparagus, and melted cheese creates a restaurant-quality meal that’s simple enough for any home cook to master!