Easy Dijon Chicken Thighs Recipe

Published June 3, 2020 •by Olivia
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Dijon Chicken Thighs are marinated and baked to get crispy, yet juicy meat. This recipe is the perfect chicken recipe for the busy weeknights! It only requires 4 ingredients. It only takes 5 minutes to prepare and it serves 4-5 people. 

If you are looking for easy, hands-off meals like this one, please check out these other chicken thighs recipe: Chicken and Bell Peppers Skillet, Spicy Chicken with Cauliflower Rice, Easy Baked Chicken with Brussels Sprouts and Spicy Chicken with Sauteed Cabbage and Zucchini Bowls.

baked chicken thighs in a cast iron skillet

This baked chicken recipe has just two steps and uses bone-in thighs with the skin on.

Keeping the bone in while cooking creates extra tender meat. Plus, the crispy skin keeps the chicken moist while adding texture.

The honey and mustard in the marinade create a balance of spicy and sweet, while the acid from the orange juice helps the flavors penetrate the meat.

How to make dijon chicken thighs

Just marinate the chicken and bake – it’s that simple! Serve alongside roasted veggies, mashed cauliflower, mashed butternut squash or perfectly fluffy rice.

INGREDIENTS

You only need 4 ingredients (I’m not counting salt and pepper of course) to make the base of this very tasty sauce for the chicken to bake in.

  • Chicken thighs – bone-in and skin-on
  • Dijon mustard – see recipe notes for a homemade substitute
  • Honey
  • Orange juice – either fresh squeezed or bottled
  • Salt and pepper


It’s an ultra-easy way to make a unique sauce with ingredients you probably have on hand anyway. Ah, I can’t forget to say that although I made this recipe with chicken thighs, this orange dijon sauce can be used for any chicken parts you have in your fridge like chicken breast or legs.

Differences between Dijon mustard and regular mustard

Both have that noticeable sharp bite, but the overall flavors and ingredients are very different.

Yellow mustard is made with powdered white and yellow mustard seeds, water or vinegar, and some seasonings.

Dijon mustard, however, uses ground black or brown mustard seeds and swaps the vinegar for white wine. This gives it a more intense and slightly spicier flavor.

side by side: before and after of seasoned chicken thighs with dijon marinade

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Marinate: Season the thighs with salt and pepper, then mix together the other ingredients and pour over the top. Cover and let sit for 15 minutes or in the refrigerator overnight.
  2. Bake: Place the chicken in an oven-safe skillet and discard the marinade. Baked until the skin is crispy and the meat is cooked all the way through.

cast iron skillet with dijon chicken thighs on a wooden cutting board

Can I use boneless skinless chicken breasts instead?

Yes, you can! Chicken thighs are less expensive than breasts, which makes them a great option for budget-friendly meals.

However, they are also fattier because they’re dark meat. So you can easily replace them with chicken breasts, which are also lower in calories.

Reduce the baking time to 15-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the breasts, or until cooked all the way through.

The high heat will still make the outside crispy, even without the skin on, and lock the moisture inside for perfect, juicy chicken.
close up of baked chicken thighs in a skillet

Recipe notes

  • Baking in a pan – Prevent the chicken from sticking either by using a seasoned cast iron skillet or by adding some oil to the pan before the chicken. Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point like canola or avocado oil.
  • Trim the meat – It’s a good idea to remove the fat from the underside of the thighs before marinating. Hold the fat away from the meat and cut in a scraping motion with a small, sharp knife.
  • Dijon mustard substitute – Mix together 2 tablespoons each dry mustard and mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons each water and white wine vinegar, and a pinch of sugar.
  • Storing and reheating – Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in an oven at 300 degrees F until warmed through.
  • Freezing – Store the cooked chicken in ziploc freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
MORE CHICKEN THIGH RECIPES

Orange Dijon Chicken Thighs

Yield: 5 people
Prep Time:
5 mins
Cook Time:
40 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
This Orange Dijon Chicken Thighs recipe is the perfect chicken recipe for the busy weeknights! It only requires 4 ingredients. It only takes 5 minutes to prepare and it serves 4-5 people. 
Print Recipe
3.72 from 7 votes

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Sauce

Chicken

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425º F.

  2. In a small bowl, mix together the mustard, honey, and orange juice.

  3. Place the chicken thighs in a medium bowl and season them with salt and pepper.

  4. Pour the orange-mustard mixture over the chicken thighs. Wrap the chicken bowl with a silicone wrap (I like to use this reusable silicone strech lids) or a plastic wrap. Marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes*.

  5. Place the chicken thighs into a cast iron skillet* and cover the skillet with aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the aluminum foil and bake for more 20 minutes or until it gets the internal temperature of 165˚F.

  6. Serve the chicken thighs with rice or roasted veggies.

Recipe Notes

* You can marinate the chicken in the fridge overnight if you prefer.
* My cast iron skillet is pre-seasoned, so I didn't need to add oil in there before adding the chicken. If your skillet is not a cast iron skillet, please add a little bit of oil before adding the chicken.
 
Course: dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked chicken thighs, chicken thighs
All text and images © Olivia Ribas / Primavera Kitchen.

Nutrition Information

Amount per serving (1/5) — Calories: 230, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 70mg, Sodium: 596mg, Potassium: 297mg, Carbohydrates: 8g, Sugar: 7g, Protein: 17g

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EASY BAKED DIJON CHICKEN THIGHS