Grilled Mustard Chicken
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It's not too early to say that this grilled mustard chicken recipe will be on repeat in your house. It's as easy as it gets for a weeknight meal and you will gush over the tender grilled chicken doused in a walnut mustard cream sauce.
Also, add this one-pan honey mustard chicken and potatoes to your meal plan!
Why are mustard and chicken the perfect pair? Mustard may not be the first thing you think of to pair with chicken, however, the mustard helps tenderize the chicken and adds an insane amount of flavor. So if you have a jar of dijon mustard sitting in your fridge, this is your sign to start using it for grilled chicken!
Why you'll love this grilled mustard chicken
- The chicken is delightfully tender and packed with flavor.
- It's extremely simple to make and there's a good chance this will be a new take on chicken for your family.
- It's drizzled with a 5-minute, dairy-free mustard cream sauce. Yum!
- It's time to take the cover off your BBQ. Hello, tasty grill marks!
- Serve it with a side of sautƩed green beans for a complete meal!
Ingredients to make grilled mustard chicken
Let's break this down your grocery list into two parts: what you'll need for the mustard grilled chicken and then what you'll need to pick up for the walnut cream sauce.
For the grilled chicken:
- Bone-in chicken thighs: you'll need about 2 lb to make 4 servings. You can use another cut of chicken, however, bone-in chicken thighs are seriously tender and moist.
- Sea salt and black pepper: for seasoning the meat.Dijon mustard: This type of mustard is a great choice since it has a rich, slightly spicy flavor (more so than yellow mustard) and a creamy consistency. You'll need 2 tablespoons.
- Thyme: Use fresh, minced thymeĀ to sprinkle over the chicken thighs once cooked. Thyme is a wonderful complement to chicken and will stick nicely to the mustard you've coated the chicken with.
For the mustard walnut cream sauce:
- Toasted walnuts: You'll need Ā½ cup which you will toast in your oven. Toasting the walnuts provides a warm, earthy flavor for the sauce.
- Water: Add Ā½ cup to the sauce in the blender to help break down all the ingredients and create a sauce-like consistency.
- Dijon mustard: more mustard, please! Add 1 Ā½ tablespoons of dijon mustard to the sauce, so that the tangy taste carries into the sauce.
- Garlic clove: Use a small garlic clove for a little zing.
- Balsamic vinegar: Adding just a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar will give some serious depth to the sauce. Even though it is technically vinegar, it will provide some semi-sweet tartness to the sauce.
- Salt and pepper:Ā To taste.
A moment for the dairy-free walnut cream sauce
Yes, this grilled mustard chicken is good on its own, but it's a whole new experience with the walnut cream sauce!
Calling this a cream sauce is a little misleading as you won't find any dairy in this recipe. But, it's a very creamy sauce from a texture perspective, so let's keep the name.
The ācream' comes from blending walnuts. They're high-fat nuts which means they will turn creamy when you blend them into a sauce. If you're familiar with cashew-based sauces, then you'll recognize what's going on here. If this is your first nut-based cream sauce, be prepared to be amazed!
Because you'll be blending walnuts until smooth, you will need a high-powered blender to achieve this, otherwise, the sauce will be a bit gritty.
What to serve with mustard grilled chicken
The beauty of this grilled mustard chicken is that it is so quick and simple to make, but also that it can be served with whatever your family is craving or enjoying. Here are some ideas to get started:
- Veggies: This grilled chicken would go nicely with some green beans (as pictured) or a Greek salad.
- Starch: Slide the grilled chicken up next to some baked shoestring fries, garlic butter rice, or sour cream and chive mashed potatoes.
- Pasta salad: Nothing says summer like a pasta salad and bbq. Try our ramen noodle salad, Greek pasta salad, or our pasta salad with Italian dressing.
Recipe FAQs
Can I bake this chicken instead of grilling it?
Yes, you can bake the chicken instead of grilling it. No matter how you cook the chicken, make sure the juices run clear and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. A meat thermometer will help you know if the chicken is cooked through.
Can I use another cut of chicken instead of chicken thighs?
You can make this recipe with other cuts of chicken. Boneless thighs take about 10-12 minutes to cook. Chicken breasts take about 15-18 minutes.
Can I use a different type of mustard?
You can use regular mustard or honey mustard for this recipe, however, it will change how the chicken tastes overall. Yellow mustard will add more tang and honey mustard will add more sweetness.
How to store leftover chicken?
You can store leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container or baking dish with a lid for 3-4 days in your fridge.
Grilled Mustard Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Walnut Mustard Sauce
- Ā½ cup toasted walnuts (see notes)
- Ā½ cup water
- 1 Ā½ tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 small garlic clove
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Grilled Mustard Chicken
- 2 lb bone-in chicken thighs (see notes)
- Ā½ teaspoon EACH: sea salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon thyme (minced )
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to medium heat. Place the walnut mustard sauce ingredients in a blender and blend on high until everything is smooth and creamy. Season to taste with salt and pepper.Ā½ cup toasted walnuts, Ā½ cup water, 1 Ā½ tablespoons dijon mustard, 1 small garlic clove, 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar, Salt and pepper
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper and then rub the mustard over the chicken.2 lb bone-in chicken thighs, Ā½ teaspoon EACH: sea salt and black pepper, 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- Place the chicken on the bbq and grill them for 20-25 minutes, flipping one time. They are cooked when their juices run clear and they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Sprinkle the thyme over the chicken and serve with the walnut mustard sauce on the side.1 tablespoon thyme
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our BBQ recipes!
