Honey Mustard Chicken with Orzo and Asparagus

Orzo and asparagus make a perfect bed of pasta to put honey mustard chicken on top of for an easy and filling dinner.

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When I was younger, I never liked the taste of honey mustard. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned I really like it! I don’t know if I’d ever have it just to dip my chicken strips in like my sister always does but a honey mustard chicken marinade makes a delicious meal for busy weeknights. 

I first used something similar with my Copycat Alice Springs Chicken recipe. After that, I tried it in a few others. This time, I used it for some chicken that I cooked with orzo and asparagus.

Orzo pasta is some of my favorite. It’s very versatile. Because of the size, you can use it in place of pasta or in a similar way to rice.

What Type of Mustard is Best for Honey Mustard Marinade?

The best type of mustard for a honey mustard marinade depends on the flavor profile you’re aiming for.

Dijon Mustard

Dijon mustard is a classic choice, offering a smooth, tangy, and slightly sharp flavor that creates a balanced and sophisticated marinade. It pairs beautifully with chicken, pork, and fish, making it a versatile option for a wide range of dishes.

Yellow Mustard

For a milder and more approachable option, yellow mustard is an excellent choice. It has a mild tanginess with a hint of sweetness, perfect for simpler marinades or kid-friendly recipes. Yellow mustard works particularly well for grilled chicken or casual meals.

Whole Grain Mustard

If you’re looking to add texture and visual appeal to your marinade, whole-grain mustard is a great option. Its coarse texture and mild, earthy tang complement hearty meats like pork tenderloin or sausages. It also adds a rustic flair to your dish.

Spicy Brown Mustard

For a bolder flavor with a bit of a kick, spicy brown mustard is ideal. Its robust and slightly spicy profile works wonderfully with red meats or hearty proteins. It’s a great choice for beef marinades or to elevate grilled vegetables.

Ground Mustard

Ground mustard has an intense aroma with a sharp, hot, and slightly bitter taste. Similar to horseradish, ground mustard can awaken your senses and make your sinuses tingle. When added to sauces, dressings, rubs, and marinades, it adds depth and complexity to the flavors.

Serving Suggestions & Tips

• As with all chicken recipes, make sure your chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165F on a meat thermometer or instant-read thermometer. 
• Add other seasonings, as desired, such as garlic powder, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, sriracha sauce, mustard seed, extra salt, diced red onion, and other fresh herbs. 
• If you prefer dark meat, you can replace the boneless skinless chicken breasts with other chicken pieces including chicken thighs or legs. 
• Replace the asparagus with other green vegetables like green beans or Brussels sprouts.

Honey Mustard Chicken with Orzo Step by Step

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb orzo
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 lb chicken breast
• 1 tbsp ground mustard
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 lb asparagus (trimmed)
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
• 1/2 tbsp parsley

Preparation

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add orzo and cook, stirring frequently, until toasted.

Add 3 cups of chicken broth and bring to a boil. Cook about 8-10 minutes, until softened.

Meanwhile, sprinkle chicken with mustard, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, flipping at least once, until golden brown and cooked through then remove the cooked chicken from the pan.

Add the remaining 1 tbsp oil and asparagus to the skillet. Sprinkle with the remaining salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 3 minutes.

Add the orzo to the asparagus and stir. Add the remaining 1 cup of chicken broth, honey, crushed red pepper, and parsley to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes.

Serve the orzo and asparagus topped with chicken and garnish with fresh parsley.

Honey mustard Chicken and Orzo Leftovers

Storage: Let the leftovers come to room temperature then store the leftover orzo mixture separate from the honey mustard chicken. Place in individual containers or a divided airtight container in the refrigerator. 

Reheating: To reheat, add about 1 tbsp of chicken broth or water to each 1/2 cup of orzo pasta and heat in a saucepan until warm. Reheat the chicken in the oven or in a skillet.

Recipe

Honey Mustard Chicken with Orzo

Orzo and asparagus make a perfect bed of pasta to put honey mustard chicken on top of for an easy and filling dinner.

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Course:

Main Dish

Cuisine:

American

Keyword:

asparagus

|

chicken

|

honey mustard

|

orzo

Dietary Needs:

Dairy-Free

|

Egg-Free

|

Gluten-Free

|

Nut-Free

Meat:

Chicken/Turkey

Cooking Method:

One-Pan Meals

Servings: 4

5 from 10 votes

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb orzo
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 lb chicken breast
• 1 tbsp ground mustard
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 lb asparagus (trimmed)
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
• 1/2 tbsp parsley

Recommended Equipment

• Saucepan – Medium
• Skillet

Instructions

• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat
• Add orzo and cook, stirring frequently, until toasted
• Add 3 cups of chicken broth and bring to a boil
• Cook about 8-10 minutes, until softened
• Meanwhile, sprinkle chicken with mustard, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper
• Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat
• Add the chicken and cook, flipping at least once, until cooked through and remove from the pan
• Add the remaining 1 tbsp oil and asparagus to the skillet
• Sprinkle with the remaining salt and pepper
• Cook, stirring frequently, for about 3 minutes
• Add the orzo to the asparagus and stir
• Add the remaining 1 cup of chicken broth, honey, crushed red pepper, and parsley to the skillet
• Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes
• Serve the orzo and asparagus topped with chicken and garnish with parsley

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Nutrition Facts

Honey Mustard Chicken with Orzo

Amount Per Serving (1 g)

Calories 742 Calories from Fat 171

% Daily Value*

Fat 19g29%

Saturated Fat 3g15%

Cholesterol 73mg24%

Sodium 1440mg60%

Potassium 1090mg31%

Carbohydrates 99g33%

Fiber 6g24%

Sugar 14g16%

Protein 42g84%

Vitamin A 968IU19%

Vitamin C 25mg30%

Calcium 71mg7%

Iron 5mg28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

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