If there’s one weeknight wonder that I keep coming back to, it’s Honey Mustard Chicken Foil Packets. These savory, slightly sweet bundles are absolute magic: juicy chicken, hearty potatoes, and fresh green beans, all nestled together with a luscious honey mustard sauce. The best part? It all cooks together with practically zero mess and minimal prep, delivering a bright, flavorful meal that feels like a feast with hardly any effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients, you have everything you need for an irresistible meal. Each component adds something essential—from tenderness to tang—creating the harmony that makes Honey Mustard Chicken Foil Packets such a hit.
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless breasts ensure the chicken stays juicy without any extra trimming required.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a creamy sharpness that forms the backbone of the honey mustard sauce.
- Honey: Brings irresistible sweetness and helps caramelize the chicken just enough.
- Whole grain mustard: Those mustard seeds give every bite a bit of pop and extra tang.
- Olive oil: Keeps everything moist and rounds out the sauce with rich flavor.
- Garlic powder: An easy way to add gentle, savory depth without chopping fresh garlic.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the packet and helps bring out the natural taste of the veggies.
- Black pepper: Provides the essential touch of warmth and subtle heat.
- Baby potatoes: These bite-sized spuds cook through quickly and soak up the tasty juices.
- Green beans: Give freshness and crunch to balance the creamy sauce and tender chicken.
- Fresh parsley (optional): A sprinkle at the end adds color and a hint of herby brightness.
How to Make Honey Mustard Chicken Foil Packets
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. This high temperature is key for getting those potatoes fork-tender and chicken perfectly cooked all at the same time. While the oven heats up, grab four large pieces of heavy-duty foil—if you’re planning to grill instead, prepping this part stays exactly the same.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Sauce
In a small bowl, combine Dijon mustard, honey, whole grain mustard, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. This blend brings together creamy, tangy, and sweet notes that infuse the chicken and veggies with every ounce of flavor. Give the sauce a taste (just a tiny spoonful!) and adjust the seasoning if you like—some extra honey for sweetness or Dijon for that extra kick.
Step 3: Arrange the Veggies and Chicken
Place the baby potatoes—halved or quartered, depending on their size—right in the center of each foil sheet. Lay a chicken breast over the potatoes on each, so the juices will keep everything moist as it cooks. Brush each chicken breast generously with your honey mustard sauce, making sure to get every nook and cranny coated. Arrange those crisp green beans around the chicken; the ends of the green beans will steam up perfectly inside the foil.
Step 4: Add the Flavor and Fold
Pour any remaining honey mustard sauce directly over the veggies and chicken. This ensures that not a drop of that glorious mixture goes to waste. Now it’s time to fold: bring the two long sides of the foil up and over everything, then roll and crimp the edges tightly to seal in all the steam (and flavor). Repeat for each packet. You want a tight but not overly packed packet, so the heat circulates nicely.
Step 5: Bake (or Grill!) and Finish
Set your foil packets on a baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. If grilling, cook over medium heat for about 20 to 25 minutes, covered. When the time is up, carefully open one packet—taking care to avoid the hot steam—to check if your chicken is cooked through and potatoes are tender. Once finished, open the packets, garnish with fresh parsley if you’d like, and enjoy that mouthwatering aroma.
How to Serve Honey Mustard Chicken Foil Packets
Garnishes
Fresh parsley is an easy and beautiful finish for these packets, but you can also branch out: a sprinkle of chopped chives or a few lemon zest curls bring lively color and a pop of freshness to the dish. Don’t skip this step—the right garnish can brighten up your plate and your palate.
Side Dishes
The beauty of Honey Mustard Chicken Foil Packets is that you’ve already got a balanced meal in each serving, but if you want to round things out, a crisp garden salad or a scoop of wild rice makes the perfect accompaniment. For a heartier dinner, offer some crusty bread to soak up the extra sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the foil packets directly on plates for a rustic, hands-on experience that always gets “oohs” at the table. If you want something more elegant, gently slide the chicken and veggies onto platters and drizzle with the packet juices. For picnics or casual dinners, hand out unopened packets and let everyone unwrap their own—it’s like opening a flavor-filled gift!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have extra Honey Mustard Chicken Foil Packets, you’re in luck—they keep beautifully. Let the packets cool slightly, then transfer the contents to airtight containers. Pop them into the refrigerator, where they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days without losing that signature tenderness and sauciness.
Freezing
You can freeze fully cooked packets or just the assembled, uncooked packets for easy meals later. If freezing cooked portions, let them cool fully and wrap tightly in foil before sealing in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. To freeze uncooked, assemble everything as directed and freeze flat; just defrost before baking or grilling.
Reheating
To reheat leftover Honey Mustard Chicken Foil Packets, place them (either in the original foil or a covered baking dish) in a 350°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until heated through. For a quick lunch, you can also use the microwave—just be sure to remove the foil first! A splash of chicken broth or water before reheating helps everything stay perfectly juicy.
FAQs
Can I substitute chicken thighs for breasts?
Absolutely—boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great swap and offer even more juiciness. Just make sure to trim any excess fat and check for doneness, as they may cook just a bit faster or slower depending on their size.
Is it possible to add other vegetables?
Definitely! Carrots, broccoli florets, sliced bell peppers, or zucchini all work well in Honey Mustard Chicken Foil Packets—just slice them thinly so everything cooks evenly.
What’s the best way to tell if the chicken is cooked?
The easiest method is to use a meat thermometer: the chicken should reach 165°F at its thickest part. If you don’t have one, slice into the center to check that the juices run clear and there’s no pink remaining.
How can I make the sauce extra creamy?
For a creamier finish, whisk in a tablespoon of Greek yogurt or mayonnaise with the mustard and honey mixture. This makes the sauce even richer, but still balances perfectly with the veggies.
Can I prep Honey Mustard Chicken Foil Packets in advance?
Yes! You can assemble all the packets up to 1 day ahead and keep them in the fridge, or marinate the chicken in the sauce for even more flavor. Just pop them in the oven (or on the grill) when you’re ready to cook.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a dish that is as comforting as it is effortless, Honey Mustard Chicken Foil Packets deserve a spot on your menu this week. With bold flavors and hardly any cleanup, it’s a win for both flavor lovers and busy cooks alike. Give them a try—you’ll be amazed at just how easy perfection can taste!
Print
Honey Mustard Chicken Foil Packets Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking (or Grilling)
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Honey Mustard Chicken Foil Packets are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Juicy chicken breasts are coated in a flavorful honey mustard sauce and baked with baby potatoes and green beans for a complete and satisfying dish.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Veggies:
- 1 pound baby potatoes (halved or quartered)
- 2 cups green beans (trimmed)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, whole grain mustard, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble the packets: Lay out 4 large sheets of heavy-duty foil. Divide the baby potatoes among the foil sheets, place a chicken breast on top, brush with the honey mustard sauce, add green beans, and drizzle with any remaining sauce.
- Bake: Fold the foil to seal the packets, place them on a baking sheet, and bake for 25–30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and potatoes are tender.
- Serve: Carefully open the packets, garnish with parsley, and enjoy hot.
Notes
- You can also grill the packets over medium heat for 20–25 minutes instead of baking.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the honey mustard sauce for 1 hour before cooking.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *