Description
These Sticky Chicken Thighs boast a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors, combining maple syrup, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard into a luscious glaze. Oven-roasted to achieve crispy skin and tender meat, this easy recipe is ideal for a flavorful weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 8 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and spray it generously with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly using paper towels. Season both sides evenly with kosher salt and black pepper. Arrange the thighs on the prepared baking sheet with the skin side facing up. Bake them for 35 minutes.
- Make the sauce base: While the chicken is baking, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Whisk and thicken the sauce: Stir in the maple syrup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and cornstarch into the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, which should take about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside one-third of the sauce for serving later.
- Flip and baste the chicken: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and carefully flip each chicken thigh over. Brush the exposed, undersides of the thighs generously with the maple glaze sauce.
- Flip and baste again: Flip the chicken back to skin side up, and brush the tops with the remaining maple sauce generously to coat.
- Roast to finish: Return the baking sheet to the oven and continue roasting the chicken for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). For an extra crispy skin, broil the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Rest and serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Serve the thighs warm with the reserved maple sauce spooned over or on the side.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken is patted dry to help achieve crispy skin during roasting.
- You can substitute tamari or coconut aminos for soy sauce to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- The sauce can be prepared ahead and stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Broiling at the end is optional but enhances the crispiness of the chicken skin.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Sticky Chicken Thighs, Maple Glazed Chicken, Oven Roasted Chicken, Sweet and Savory Chicken, Easy Chicken Dinner
