Description
Maple-Dijon Chicken Thighs offer a comforting and flavorful dinner option with a perfect balance of sweet maple syrup and tangy Dijon mustard. This easy-to-make recipe features juicy, tender chicken thighs coated in a finger-licking glaze, ideal for weeknight meals or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (plus extra for cooking)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh herbs (thyme or rosemary), optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine maple syrup, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, soy sauce, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth and well blended to create the flavorful glaze.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken thighs in a shallow dish or resealable bag, pour marinade over them, and ensure each piece is well coated. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor.
- Preheat and Prepare the Pan: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking and help crisp the chicken skin.
- Sear the Chicken Thighs: Remove chicken from the marinade (reserve marinade) and place thighs skin-side down in hot skillet. Sear 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy. Flip and cook an additional 3 minutes on the other side.
- Bake to Finish Cooking: Pour reserved marinade over the seared chicken and transfer skillet to a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Bake 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce is thick and sticky.
- Rest and Serve: Let chicken rest a few minutes after baking to allow juices to redistribute. Spoon extra sauce over the top before serving, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Use skin-on thighs for juicy meat and crispy skin.
- Don’t skip searing; it locks in flavor and creates a crust.
- Reserve and pour marinade over chicken before baking to retain moisture.
- Taste and adjust sweetness by modifying maple syrup or mustard amounts.
- Rest chicken after baking to keep it tender and juicy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Searing and Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 95mg