One-Pan Honey Mustard Chicken and Vegetables: Your Ultimate Easy Weeknight Dinner
Discover the ultimate solution for a delicious, healthy, and effortless weeknight meal with this One-Pan Honey Mustard Chicken and Vegetables recipe. This isn’t just another dinner idea; it’s a culinary game-changer that seamlessly blends convenience with incredible flavor. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook seeking a quick fix or a beginner looking to impress with minimal fuss, this recipe is designed to become a staple in your household. It features tender chicken breasts and a colorful medley of vegetables, all bathed in a vibrant, savory-sweet honey mustard sauce, cooked to perfection in a single pan. The result? A wholesome, satisfying meal that requires minimal prep time and, perhaps best of all, makes cleanup an absolute breeze.
The secret to this dish’s irresistible taste lies in its dynamic honey mustard sauce. Crafted from a robust mustard base, it’s perfectly balanced with the natural sweetness of honey, a hint of aromatic paprika for both color and depth, and just the right touch of salt and pepper. This combination creates a rich, tangy, and slightly sweet glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the chicken and infuses the vegetables with incredible flavor. For those mindful of their dietary goals, such as following Weight Watchers, this recipe offers flexibility. By simply swapping the honey for a sweetener like Stevia, you can significantly reduce the points while retaining all the fantastic taste. As originally written, this delightful recipe is an impressive 3 Weight Watchers points per serving, making it an excellent choice for a health-conscious lifestyle without compromising on satisfaction.
Why You’ll Love This One-Pan Honey Mustard Chicken and Vegetables
This one-pan wonder isn’t just a recipe; it’s a lifestyle upgrade. Here’s why this Honey Mustard Chicken and Vegetables dish deserves a permanent spot in your cooking repertoire:
- Effortlessly Quick and Easy: In today’s fast-paced world, time is a precious commodity. This recipe is the epitome of efficiency. You literally toss all your ingredients into a single pan, give them a quick sauté, add broth, and let the magic happen. The beauty of this dish is its sheer practicality—no juggling multiple pots and pans, no worrying about separate side dishes. It’s a comprehensive, self-contained meal that delivers maximum flavor with minimum effort, perfect for busy weeknights when you want a homemade dinner without the fuss.
- Wholesome, Healthy, and Fully Customizable: Beyond its ease, this dish shines in its nutritional value. Packed with lean protein from the chicken and a medley of fresh, colorful vegetables, it’s a meal you can feel great about serving your family. Want to make it even lighter or adapt it to specific dietary needs? It’s incredibly versatile! Easily swap out potatoes for more non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, or extra carrots and bell peppers to create a low-carb, Weight Watchers-friendly option that’s still bursting with amazing taste and texture.
- Incredibly Budget-Friendly with Accessible Ingredients: You won’t find any exotic or hard-to-source items on this ingredient list. Every component—from chicken breasts to common vegetables and pantry staples for the sauce—is readily available at any grocery store. This makes the recipe not only simple to prepare but also highly economical, proving that delicious, healthy meals don’t have to break the bank. It’s a smart choice for mindful meal planning without sacrificing quality or flavor.
- Perfect for Meal Prep and Batch Cooking: If you’re a fan of meal prepping, this one-pan honey mustard chicken and vegetables is your new best friend. It reheats beautifully, making it ideal for packing lunches for the week or having ready-to-eat dinners. The flavors meld even further after a day or two, ensuring a delightful meal every time.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with vegetables (approximately 450 g)
3 WW Points Per Serving. This recipe is a fantastic low-point option for Weight Watchers members. You can view the recipe on the WW Apphere. (WW login required.)
Key Ingredients for Your Honey Mustard Chicken
Crafting this flavorful dish starts with a selection of simple, fresh ingredients. The beauty of this recipe lies in how a few basic components come together to create a deeply satisfying meal. Here’s what you’ll need to prepare both the luscious honey mustard sauce and the hearty chicken and vegetable base.
For the sauce, each ingredient plays a crucial role in building the signature sweet and tangy profile:
- 3 tablespoons mustard (45 g) – A good quality, strong mustard is essential for the tangy base.
- 1 tablespoon honey (21 g) – Provides the classic sweetness and helps in caramelization.
- 1 teaspoon salt (5 g) – Enhances all the flavors.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (1 g) – Adds a subtle warmth and spice.
- 1 teaspoon paprika (2 g) – Contributes a beautiful color and mild, smoky undertone.
For the main dish, a combination of lean protein and garden-fresh vegetables creates a balanced and satisfying meal. Feel free to adjust the vegetable quantities based on your preferences or what’s in season.
- 4 chicken breasts (about 1.5 lb or 680 g total) – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for quick cooking and lean protein.
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (5 ml) – For searing the chicken and sautéing vegetables.
- 1 red onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup or 150 g) – Adds a sweet and pungent aromatic base.
- 1 cup green beans, halved (150 g) – For a touch of freshness and crunch.
- 4 medium carrots, cut into chunks (about 1 cup or 260 g) – Adds natural sweetness and vibrant color.
- 150 g small potatoes, halved – For a hearty, comforting element that soaks up the sauce.
- 1 cup chicken broth (240 ml) – Creates the simmering liquid and helps meld flavors.
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary – Infuses the dish with an earthy, aromatic essence.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Mastering Your One-Pan Dish
Follow these simple steps to create a truly spectacular One-Pan Honey Mustard Chicken and Vegetables that’s full of flavor and easy to execute. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this comes together!
- Prepare the Honey Mustard Dressing: In a small, clean bowl, combine the mustard, honey, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Use a whisk or a fork to stir these ingredients together thoroughly until they are well mixed and form a smooth, vibrant dressing. Set this delicious sauce aside; it’s the heart of your dish!
- Season the Chicken: Take your chicken breasts and generously rub them all over with the prepared honey mustard dressing. Ensure each piece is thoroughly coated, as this will allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat. If you have extra time, letting the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes (or even overnight in the refrigerator) will significantly amplify the flavor profile. While the chicken soaks up the delicious sauce, use this time to meticulously prep all your vegetables.
- Cook the Chicken to Golden Perfection: Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan or oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering and hot, carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts into the pan. Cook for approximately 5-6 minutes on each side. The goal is to achieve a beautiful golden-brown sear and slight caramelization from the honey in the sauce, which adds incredible depth of flavor. Once browned, push the chicken breasts to one side of the pan, making space for the vegetables.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pan, taking advantage of the residual chicken drippings and seasoned oil, add your chopped red onion, green beans, carrots, and potatoes. Sauté these vegetables for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This initial sauté helps to soften them slightly and allows them to absorb some of the chicken’s flavors before simmering.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Carefully pour the chicken broth over the sautéed vegetables, ensuring it reaches the bottom of the pan to prevent scorching. Nestle the sprigs of fresh rosemary among the chicken and vegetables. Bring the entire mixture to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid, and let it cook undisturbed for about 25 minutes. This simmering period is crucial for ensuring the potatoes become tender, the carrots are soft, and the chicken is fully cooked through and incredibly juicy.
- Serve Your Masterpiece: Once cooked, remove the rosemary sprigs. Serve the perfectly cooked chicken breasts with a generous portion of the tender, flavor-infused sautéed vegetables. This dish is wonderfully complete and satisfying on its own, making it a perfect stand-alone meal. However, if you desire, you can also complement it with a light, crisp green salad for added freshness or some crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the delectable pan sauce.
Customizing Your Honey Mustard Chicken: Variations & Substitutions
One of the most appealing aspects of this One-Pan Honey Mustard Chicken and Vegetables recipe is its remarkable versatility. It’s incredibly easy to adapt to your personal tastes, dietary needs, or whatever ingredients you have on hand. Here are some fantastic variations and substitutions you might want to explore:
- Elevate with Dijon Mustard: While regular mustard works beautifully, if you can get your hands on a good quality Dijon mustard, your chicken will reach new heights of flavor. Dijon brings a more sophisticated, pungent, and richly complex taste that can truly elevate the entire dish. It’s a simple swap that makes a noticeable difference.
- No Potatoes? No Problem! (and Low-Carb Options): For a lighter, Weight Watchers-friendly, or low-carb version, feel free to omit the potatoes entirely. Instead, load up on more non-starchy vegetables! Excellent additions include florets of broccoli, cauliflower, sliced bell peppers (any color), asparagus spears, or even zucchini. These alternatives will keep the dish filling and nutritious while significantly reducing the carbohydrate count.
- Honey Alternatives for Sweetness: If you’re out of honey or actively working to cut down on sugar and Weight Watchers points, a natural or artificial sweetener can be a great substitute. Stevia, Splenda, or even a sugar-free maple syrup can work. The strong, bold flavor of the mustard in the dressing ensures that you won’t miss the honey too much, as the overall taste profile remains robust and delicious.
- Vary Your Protein: While chicken breasts are classic, this honey mustard sauce is incredibly versatile. You could easily substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier cut, or even try pork tenderloin slices or sturdy white fish like cod or halibut for a different protein option. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Add a Spicy Kick: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to your honey mustard sauce. This will introduce a subtle warmth that complements the sweet and savory notes beautifully.
Pro Tips for the Perfect One-Pan Honey Mustard Chicken
Achieving the best possible results with this recipe is easy with a few insider tips. These tricks will help ensure your honey mustard chicken is always juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked:
- Marinate for Maximum Flavor: While the recipe allows for quick seasoning, if your schedule permits, letting the chicken marinate in the honey mustard sauce for an extended period truly works wonders. Overnight in the refrigerator is ideal, as it allows the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat, resulting in exceptionally tender and more flavorful chicken. Even 30-60 minutes will make a difference if overnight isn’t an option.
- My Secret Glaze Trick for an Extra-Glossy Finish: Want to make your chicken look and taste even more amazing? Here’s a little secret I use to create an extra glossy, rich sauce. Just before you turn off the heat in the final minutes of cooking, whisk together ⅓ cup of additional chicken broth with a teaspoon of mustard and a teaspoon of cornstarch in a small bowl. Pour this mixture over the chicken and vegetables in the pan, stir gently, and cook for just a few more minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything with a beautiful, shiny glaze. It’s a simple step that elevates the presentation and adds a wonderful silkiness to the sauce.
- Smart Vegetable Selection and Preparation: The key to evenly cooked vegetables in a one-pan dish is consistency. Choose vegetables that cook at similar rates, or adjust their size accordingly. If you’re using tougher root vegetables like carrots or potatoes, ensure you cut them into relatively smaller, uniform pieces (like chunks or halves, as specified) so they become tender by the time the chicken is fully cooked. Faster-cooking vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini can be added a bit later, around the last 10-15 minutes of simmering.
- Don’t Rush the Sear: When searing your chicken, resist the urge to move it around too much. Let it cook undisturbed on each side for the recommended 5-6 minutes. This allows a beautiful, flavorful crust (the Maillard reaction) to form, locking in the juices and adding a wonderful caramelized taste that is essential to the dish’s overall appeal.
- Creative Serving Suggestions: While this dish is a complete meal on its own, you can enhance the dining experience with simple additions. Beyond a light salad or crusty bread, consider serving it over a bed of fluffy couscous, quinoa, or brown rice to soak up the delicious sauce. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives before serving adds a pop of color and freshness.
- Storage and Reheating: Leftovers of this Honey Mustard Chicken and Vegetables are fantastic! Store any cooled portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply warm in the microwave or gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat until heated through. Add a splash of extra chicken broth if the sauce seems too thick.
One Pan Honey Mustard Chicken and Vegetables
Ingredients
For the sauce:
- 3 tablespoons mustard, 45 g
- 1 tablespoon honey, 21 g
- 1 teaspoon salt, 5 g
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 g
- 1 teaspoon paprika, 2 g
For the dish:
- 4 chicken breasts, about 1.5 lb or 680 g total
- 1 teaspoon olive oil, 5 ml
- 1 red onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup or 150 g)
- 1 cup green beans, halved (150 g)
- 4 medium carrots, cut into chunks (about 1 cup or 260 g)
- 150 g small potatoes, halved
- 1 cup chicken broth, 240 ml
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
Instructions
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Prepare the Honey Mustard Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the mustard, honey, salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir until well mixed. Set aside.
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Season the Chicken: Rub the chicken breasts thoroughly with the prepared honey mustard dressing. Let them marinate while you prep the vegetables.
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Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, place the chicken breasts in the pan and cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side, until they are browned and slightly caramelized from the honey. Push the chicken to one side of the pan.
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Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pan, add the chopped red onion, green beans, carrots, and potatoes. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften, mixing occasionally.
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Add Broth and Simmer: Pour the chicken broth over the vegetables, ensuring it reaches the bottom of the pan. Add the sprigs of rosemary. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and let it cook for 25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
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Serve: Serve the chicken breasts with a generous portion of the sautéed vegetables. The dish is delicious on its own, but you can also pair it with a light salad or some crusty bread if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
In conclusion, this One-Pan Honey Mustard Chicken and Vegetables recipe is a true testament to the fact that healthy, flavorful eating doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. It’s a complete meal that caters to diverse tastes and dietary needs, while also being kind to your wallet. Whether you’re aiming for a quick weeknight dinner, planning your meals for the week, or simply seeking a delicious and wholesome dish, this recipe delivers on all fronts. Give it a try tonight and discover your new favorite way to enjoy chicken and vegetables!