Maple Glazed Chicken Thighs Recipe
This Maple Glazed Chicken Thighs recipe features tender, juicy bone-in chicken thighs with a crispy skin, coated in a sweet and savory maple glaze. Perfectly seared and oven-baked to caramelized perfection, this dish offers an easy yet impressive meal ideal for any occasion.
- Author: lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Maple Glaze
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure crispy skin. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp. Flip the thighs and cook an additional 3-4 minutes on the other side.
- Make the Maple Glaze: While the chicken is searing, whisk together the maple syrup, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and thyme in a small bowl until well combined.
- Bake the Chicken: Pour the maple glaze evenly over the seared chicken thighs in the skillet. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Halfway through baking, baste the chicken with the glaze from the skillet to enhance flavor and moisture.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Serve the chicken thighs drizzled with the remaining glaze, alongside your choice of roasted vegetables or rice.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry is key to achieving crispy skin.
- Use an oven-safe skillet for seamless transfer from stovetop to oven.
- Feel free to substitute fresh thyme for dried thyme as preferred.
- Basting halfway through baking keeps the chicken moist and flavorful.
- Internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) ensures food safety and juiciness.
Keywords: maple glazed chicken, baked chicken thighs, sweet and savory chicken, dinner recipe, easy chicken recipe