Description

This Maple Glazed Chicken Thighs recipe features tender, juicy bone-in chicken thighs seared to a crispy golden skin and then baked with a sweet and savory maple syrup glaze. The combination of maple syrup, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic, and thyme creates a rich and flavorful glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. Perfect for an easy yet impressive weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor and achieve crispy skin.
Sear Chicken: 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 becomes golden brown and crispy. Flip the thighs and cook another 3-4 minutes to brown the other side.
Make the Maple Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and thyme until well combined to create a flavorful glaze.
Add Glaze and Bake: Pour the maple glaze over the seared chicken thighs directly in the skillet. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Baste the Chicken: Halfway through baking, use a spoon to baste the chicken with the glaze from the skillet to intensify the 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 remaining glaze alongside your favorite sides like roasted vegetables or rice.

Notes

Using bone-in, skin-on thighs ensures juiciness and crispy skin.
Patting chicken dry before seasoning helps achieve crispiness.
If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer chicken and glaze to a baking dish before baking.
Adjust thyme quantity based on fresh or dried herb potency.
Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer for perfectly cooked chicken.
Leftover glaze can be boiled briefly to thicken and used as a sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: maple glazed chicken, baked chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs, maple syrup chicken, easy chicken dinner, oven baked chicken, sweet and savory chicken