Maple Glazed Oven-Baked Thighs

This maple glazed chicken thigh recipe transforms ordinary chicken into something extraordinary with its perfect balance of sweet and savory. The combination of pure maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and fresh herbs creates a glaze that caramelizes beautifully while roasting, infusing the chicken with incredible flavor while keeping it juicy inside.

I discovered this recipe on a chilly autumn evening when I wanted comfort food without spending hours in the kitchen. Now it's our go to Sunday dinner that even my pickiest eater requests regularly.

Ingredients

• Bone in chicken thighs: Provide more flavor than boneless and help prevent the meat from drying out
• Brussels sprouts: Caramelize beautifully in the oven and their slight bitterness balances the sweet glaze
• Butternut squash: Adds natural sweetness and a beautiful color contrast to the dish
• Pecans: Contribute a buttery crunch when added near the end of cooking
• Pure maple syrup: Forms the base of our glaze real maple only no pancake syrup
• Dijon mustard: Balances the sweetness with tangy depth
• Coconut sugar: Adds complex caramel notes use brown sugar if unavailable
• Apple cider vinegar: Brightens all the flavors with necessary acidity
• Fresh herbs (rosemary and thyme): Essential for authentic homemade flavor
• Olive oil: Helps carry flavors and ensures proper browning

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat Your Oven:

Start by setting your oven to 425°F. This higher temperature is crucial for developing beautiful caramelization on both the chicken and vegetables while ensuring the chicken skin crisps properly. Allow at least 10 minutes for proper preheating.

Create The Magic Glaze:

Whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, coconut sugar, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, crushed garlic, chopped herbs, salt and pepper until you have a smooth emulsion. This step is where all the flavor magic happens. The whisking should take about 1 minute until everything is well incorporated.

Coat The Vegetables:

Place your halved Brussels sprouts and cubed butternut squash in a large ziplock bag and pour in ¼ cup of the prepared glaze. Seal the bag and gently massage until every piece is evenly coated. This method ensures more consistent coverage than tossing in a bowl.

Arrange Your Sheet Pan:

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the coated vegetables in a single layer. Leave spaces between the vegetables where youll place the chicken thighs. This arrangement allows air to circulate properly for even cooking.

Prepare The Chicken:

Place the chicken thighs in the cleared spaces and brush ¼ cup of the glaze generously over each piece, ensuring complete coverage. Save the remaining 2 3 tablespoons for the final glaze application later.

Initial Baking:

Bake the sheet pan for 30 minutes. During this time, the chicken will begin to cook through and the vegetables will start to caramelize and soften. The natural sugars in the maple syrup will gradually caramelize creating complex flavors.

Add Pecans And Final Glaze:

Remove the pan from the oven and scatter pecans across the vegetables. Brush the remaining glaze over the chicken thighs to refresh the flavors and prepare for the final crisping stage.

Broil For Perfect Finish:

Switch your oven to high broil and return the pan for 5 6 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. This final step creates the signature crispy exterior on the chicken while toasting the pecans to perfection.

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My absolute favorite part of this recipe is how the maple glaze transforms in the oven, creating a sticky, almost candy like coating on the chicken that my family fights over. I always make extra glaze now just to avoid dinner table arguments!

Make Ahead Options

You can prepare this entire dish up to the baking point a day ahead. Simply arrange everything on the sheet pan, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to allow it to come to room temperature for more even cooking. This makes it perfect for entertaining when you want to minimize last minute preparation.

Ingredient Substitutions

If Brussels sprouts aren't your favorite, broccoli florets work beautifully and cook in about the same time. For butternut squash, sweet potatoes make an excellent substitute with similar cooking times and complementary flavor. When fresh herbs aren't available, use one third the amount of dried herbs but add them directly to the glaze to allow them time to rehydrate and release their flavors.

Serving Suggestions

This complete meal needs little accompaniment, but a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a fresh contrast to the rich flavors. For a heartier meal, serve alongside wild rice which pairs wonderfully with the maple glaze. Leftovers can be transformed into an amazing salad by chopping the chicken and vegetables and serving over mixed greens with a simple vinaigrette.

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This will quickly become a family favorite perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use boneless chicken thighs instead?

Yes, you can substitute boneless chicken thighs, but you'll need to reduce the cooking time to about 20-25 minutes total since they cook faster than bone-in thighs. Check that they reach 165°F internal temperature.

→ What can I substitute for Brussels sprouts?

Green beans, broccoli florets, or halved baby potatoes work well as substitutes for Brussels sprouts in this dish. Just ensure whatever vegetable you choose has a similar cooking time to butternut squash.

→ Can I make the maple Dijon glaze ahead of time?

Absolutely! The glaze can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just whisk it again before using.

→ Is there a substitute for coconut sugar?

Brown sugar or honey make excellent substitutes for coconut sugar in this recipe. Use the same amount as called for in the original recipe.

→ Why are my chicken thighs not crisping up?

For maximum crispiness, ensure your oven is fully preheated to 425°F, pat the chicken skin dry before applying the glaze, and don't skip the final broiling step which creates that delicious crispy finish.

→ Can this dish be prepared as a meal prep?

Yes! You can roast everything and portion it into containers for up to 4 days of meal prep. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes or until heated through for best results.