Dijon Ginger Chicken: Crispy, Juicy, Flavor-Packed

Some recipes are fancy. Some are fussy. And then there are those golden, go-to recipes that hit that perfect sweet spot of simple yet outrageously delicious. This is one of those.

There’s something downright magical about a good marinade—the way it seeps into the meat, working its flavor-packed magic while you go about your day. And when the marinade is as simple as this one? Well, that’s what we call a win-win.

This Dijon Ginger Chicken is one of those meals that feels fancy but requires almost zero effort. A little Dijon mustard for tang, tamari for that deep, savory umami kick, honey to balance it all out, and a touch of ginger to brighten things up. That’s it! No complicated steps, no hard-to-find ingredients—just a handful of pantry staples coming together to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

The best part? The oven does most of the work. All you have to do is let the chicken hang out in the marinade, toss it in the oven, and baste it every so often. The result? Perfectly golden, crispy-skinned chicken with juicy, flavor-packed meat underneath. If you’re looking for a new weeknight favorite—or a meal prep gem that reheats beautifully—this one’s about to earn a permanent spot in your rotation.

Ingredients:

¼ cup Dijon mustard

¼ cup tamari (or soy sauce, if that’s what you have)

1 tablespoon honey (wildflower honey is lovely, but any honey will work)

½ teaspoon ground ginger

6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

Instructions:

Marinate the Chicken:

Grab a 9x13-inch baking dish—something big enough to let the chicken sit in a single layer. In the dish, whisk together the Dijon mustard, tamari, honey, and ground ginger. It’ll smell amazing already, but resist the urge to taste it just yet (raw chicken is about to go in there!).

Nestle the chicken thighs into the marinade, flipping them around a couple of times to make sure they’re well coated. Finish with the skin side up—this helps it crisp up in the oven later. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and let the flavors meld in the fridge for at least 2 hours, but if you’ve got the time, let it go up to 8 hours. The longer, the better.

Prep for Roasting:

About 30 minutes before you're ready to cook, pull the dish out of the fridge and let the chicken come to room temperature. This little step helps it cook more evenly. Give the chicken another good toss in the marinade to make sure it’s thoroughly coated.

Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 400°F.

Roast to Perfection:

Add ¼ cup of water to the baking dish—this helps prevent the sauce from burning and keeps everything nice and saucy. Swirl it around a bit to combine with the marinade. Then, slide the dish into the oven and roast for about 45–50 minutes.

Every 15 minutes or so, take a spoon and baste the chicken with those glorious juices in the bottom of the pan. This step is totally worth it—it helps deepen the flavor and keeps the chicken beautifully glossy.

Check for Doneness:

After about 45 minutes, check the internal temperature of the thickest part of a thigh with a digital thermometer. You’re looking for at least 160°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, poke the thickest part of a thigh with a knife—if the juices run clear, you’re good to go.

Rest & Serve:

Take the chicken out of the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This helps the juices settle back into the meat, making every bite extra tender and flavorful.

Spoon some of that reduced, flavor-packed sauce over the top before serving, and if you’ve got a side of rice, roasted veggies, or even a simple salad, you’re in for one ridiculously good meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

It’s easy. No complicated steps, no obscure ingredients—just simple, straightforward cooking.

It’s packed with flavor. The combo of Dijon, tamari, honey, and ginger is pure magic.

It’s great for meal prep. Make a batch and enjoy leftovers throughout the week.

It pairs with just about anything. Rice, potatoes, salad, roasted veggies—whatever you’ve got, this chicken will make it better.

If you’re looking for a meal that delivers big on flavor with minimal effort, this one’s for you. Whether you’re making it for a cozy night in, meal prepping for the week, or just need something foolproof in your back pocket, these Dijon Ginger Chicken Thighs will never let you down.

Enjoy! And don’t be surprised if you find yourself making a double batch next time.