These creamy mustard mayo baked chicken thighs and drumsticks are an easy, flavorful recipe made with simple ingredients for a juicy, golden result. They are perfect for a Sunday family dinner.
What are creamy mustard mayo baked chicken thighs and drumsticks?
These creamy mustard mayo baked chicken thighs and drumsticks are an oven baked dish made with a creamy, well seasoned marinade. The mixture coats the chicken, helping it stay tender and flavorful while the outside turns golden.
Jump to:
Why you will love this recipe
- It is easy and packed with flavor.
- It uses simple, budget friendly ingredients.
- The chicken stays juicy inside and golden outside.
- It comes out of the oven with a built in side dish.
- It works well for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
Ingredients and substitutions
The ingredients for these creamy mustard mayo baked chicken thighs and drumsticks create a simple and very flavorful combination. Mayonnaise and mustard make a creamy marinade that helps protect the chicken while it bakes, while the seasonings boost the flavor. The potatoes complete the meal and soak up some of the sauce, turning tender inside and golden outside. Here are the main ingredients and a few possible substitutions.
- Chicken thighs and drumsticks: they are ideal for this recipe because they stay juicy even after a longer bake time. Boneless thighs also work if you prefer.
- Mayonnaise: forms the creamy base of the marinade and helps keep the chicken moist while baking.
- Mustard: adds bold flavor and a little tang, balancing the richness of the mayonnaise. Dijon mustard works well too.
- Garlic: deepens the flavor and makes the dish more aromatic. Minced garlic or garlic paste work well.
- Lemon: adds freshness and helps season the chicken. Meyer lemon or regular lemon both work.
- Potatoes: complete the recipe and absorb some of the seasoning in the oven. Yukon Gold or red potatoes work well.
- Ground turmeric: adds color and a light earthy flavor.
- Thyme: adds an herbal aroma and pairs very well with roasted chicken. Rosemary is also a good option.
- Olive oil: helps finish the dish and encourages even browning.
- Saltt and black pepper: adjust the final flavor and balance all the ingredients.
Easy substitutions
You can adapt this recipe based on what you have at home. Plain Greek yogurt can replace the mayonnaise for a different version. Carrots, onions, or zucchini can replace or complement the potatoes. For a milder flavor, reduce the mustard or choose a gentler yellow mustard.
See the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the exact amounts.
How to prepare the chicken
Choose fresh chicken thighs and drumsticks with firm skin and no excess liquid. Pat them dry before seasoning so the marinade sticks better and the flavor is more intense.
How to make it
For full details and exact amounts, check the complete recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Season the chicken: place the chicken in a baking dish and add the lemon juice, garlic, salt, and turmeric. Mix gently to spread the seasonings.
- Add the creamy ingredients: then add the mustard, mayonnaise, and black pepper. Mix well until all the chicken is coated.
- Prepare to bake: cover with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 1 hour, until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Add the potatoes: remove from the oven, turn the chicken pieces, and add the cooked potatoes cut into large chunks.
- Finish and brown: drizzle with olive oil and return to the oven, uncovered, until nicely browned.
- Serve hot: remove from the oven and serve while hot, enjoying the juicy texture and bold flavor.
Tip: let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to keep the juices in the meat and make the flavor even better.
Variations
These creamy mustard mayo baked chicken thighs and drumsticks allow simple variations that change the final flavor without making the recipe harder. Adjust the seasonings and sides to your taste or to what you have at home.
- With fresh herbs: replace thyme with rosemary or fresh parsley for a different aroma.
- With a cheesy crust: add grated Parmesan during the final minutes of baking to form a golden crust.
- With extra vegetables: add carrots, onions, or zucchini along with the potatoes to make the dish even more complete.
- Spicier: add hot paprika or red pepper flakes to the marinade for a bolder flavor.
Tools and equipment
To prepare these creamy mustard mayo baked chicken thighs and drumsticks more easily, it is worth gathering a few simple tools. They help with the marinade and even baking.
- Large mixing bowl: useful for mixing the chicken with the seasonings if you prefer to do that outside the baking dish.
- Spoon or spatula: helps spread the marinade evenly over the chicken.
- Glass baking dish or roasting pan: ideal for baking the chicken evenly.
- Aluminum foil: important during the first part of baking to help keep the meat moist.
- Oven: should be fully preheated for the best result.
Glass baking dishes heat more slowly, but they hold heat longer. Metal roasting pans usually give faster, deeper browning.
In my shop, you will find kitchen tools and home essentials I use and recommend.
Storage
Store the creamy mustard mayo baked chicken thighs and drumsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can freeze them for up to 2 months, preferably in portions. To reheat, cover with aluminum foil and warm in the oven so the chicken does not dry out.
Tips
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning: this helps the marinade stick better and gives the chicken more flavor.
- Use parboiled potatoes: this keeps them tender inside without needing too much extra oven time.
- Keep the foil on at first: this helps the chicken cook more evenly and hold on to moisture.
- Finish with olive oil: drizzling before browning helps the surface look more golden and appetizing.
- Let it rest before serving: a few minutes of rest help keep the juices in the meat.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, but it can turn out drier. Reduce the baking time if using chicken breast.
No. It helps keep the chicken moist and gives the marinade its creamy texture.
Yes, but the flavor will be milder and less bold.
More recipes
Looking for more recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe
Creamy Mustard Mayo Baked Chicken Thighs and Drumsticks
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Spoon or spatula
- Glass baking dish or roasting pan
- Aluminum foil
- Oven
Ingredients
- 2.25 lb bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks
- 5 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 4 garlic cloves grated
- 1 lemon juiced, preferably Meyer lemon or regular lemon
- 3 medium potatoes cooked and cut into large pieces
- Ground turmeric to taste
- Thyme to taste
- Olive oil to taste
- Saltt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season the chicken directly in a glass baking dish or roasting pan with the lemon juice, grated garlic, salt, and turmeric. Mix well so the seasonings coat all the pieces.
- Add the mayonnaise, mustard, thyme, and black pepper. Mix again, coating the thighs and drumsticks well in the creamy marinade so the chicken bakes up flavorful and juicy.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to hold in moisture during the first stage of baking.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 1 hour, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven, remove the foil, and turn the chicken pieces so they brown more evenly.
- Add the cooked potatoes, cut into large pieces, around the chicken so they can soak up some of the pan sauce.
- Drizzle everything with a little olive oil and return to the oven, uncovered, until the chicken is deeply golden and the potatoes are lightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps keep the juices in the meat and makes the finished dish even more flavorful.
Comments
No Comments