Maple Glazed Chicken Thighs
Maple Glazed Chicken Thighs are tender and flavorful with a perfect blend of sweet maple syrup and savory soy sauce, making them a great dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 8 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Glaze
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Let the chicken sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
Making the Glaze
- In a small saucepan, combine the maple syrup, soy sauce, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and fresh thyme.
- Whisk together and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, letting it bubble for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
Cooking the Chicken
- Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Carefully place the chicken thighs in the skillet, skin-side down, and sear for 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden brown.
- Flip the thighs and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Brush the chicken with the maple glaze.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Halfway through, brush with more reserved glaze.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
- Drizzle with remaining glaze before serving.
Notes
For variations, add red pepper flakes to the glaze for heat, or substitute chicken breasts for a lighter option. Ensure chicken is dry for crispy skin.