Go Back
–+ servings
Maple dijon chicken thighs with crispy golden skin in white ceramic skillet

Chicken Thighs with Dijon Mustard and Maple Syrup

40aprons.com/maple-dijon-chicken-thighs/
These maple dijon chicken thighs have crispy golden skin, fall-off-the-bone meat, and a glossy maple-dijon sauce that begs to be spooned over everything on your plate. This is ready fast and perfect for weeknight dinners or casual fall entertaining!
Prep 15 minutes
Cook 25 minutes
Total 40 minutes
Recipe Makes (Approximate): 4

Equipment

  • Large oven-safe skillet 10 to 12-inch, cast iron works beautifully
  • medium mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • garlic press or knife for mincing
  • instant read thermometer
  • Tongs or spatula

Ingredients

For the Maple-Dijon Sauce

  • ⅓ cup Dijon mustard
  • ⅓ cup real maple syrup (do not use pancake syrup)
  • 3 garlic cloves (pressed or minced)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup chicken broth
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 shallot (chopped)

For the Chicken

  • 1 tablespoon high-heat oil (such as avocado or vegetable oil)
  • 8 bone-in (skin-on chicken thighs (or 6 if larger))
  • Sea salt for seasoning
  • Freshly ground black pepper for seasoning
  • 3 3-inch sprigs fresh rosemary

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Adjust oven racks so skillet will sit in center of oven.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup Dijon mustard, ⅓ cup maple syrup, 3 pressed or minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup chicken broth, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and 1 chopped shallot. Set aside.
  • Pat chicken thighs completely dry on all sides with paper towels. Liberally season chicken with sea salt and black pepper on both sides.
  • Heat large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. When pan is very hot, add 1 tablespoon oil and swirl pan to distribute oil evenly across pan surface. Continue heating pan until oil is hot and shimmery.
  • When oil is hot, place chicken thighs in skillet skin-side down. Sear chicken thighs 7 to 8 minutes or until skin is golden brown and releases easily from pan. If skin sticks to pan, continue searing until skin releases easily.
  • Flip chicken thighs over. Pour maple-dijon mixture into pan around chicken, avoiding pouring directly onto crispy chicken skin. Nestle 3 fresh rosemary sprigs around chicken. Place skillet in preheated oven.
  • Roast chicken thighs 15 to 17 minutes, or until internal temperature of chicken reaches 175° to 180°F. Note: Skillet will be very hot. Always use potholder when moving skillet or checking chicken temperature.
  • Once temperature is reached, carefully remove skillet from oven using potholder. Transfer chicken thighs to serving plate and set aside.
  • If desired, place skillet with sauce on burner and reduce over medium heat 3 to 5 minutes until desired consistency is reached.
  • After 5 minutes rest time for chicken thighs, serve over mashed potatoes, cauliflower mash, risotto, couscous, pasta, or rice. Spoon plenty of sauce over chicken and sides.

Recipe Notes

About the Maple Syrup: Use real, pure maple syrup for this recipe. Pancake syrup or maple-flavored syrup will not provide the same depth of flavor and can make the sauce overly sweet.
Temperature Check: The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 175° to 180°F for optimal tenderness. While 165°F is the USDA safe minimum, dark meat benefits from higher temperatures (up to 185-190°F) as the connective tissue breaks down into gelatin, making the meat more tender and juicy.
Crispy Skin Secret: Completely drying the chicken with paper towels before seasoning is essential for crispy skin. Don't skip this step!
Skillet Size: A 10 to 12-inch oven-safe skillet works best. The chicken thighs should fit comfortably without too much overlap.
Storage and Reheating: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a covered skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of chicken broth, or in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.

Nutrition Information (Approximate)

Calories: 701calProtein: 71gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 234mgSodium: 764mgPotassium: 1291mgTotal Carbs: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 17gNet Carbs: 20gVitamin A: 37IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 115mgIron: 3mg
Recipe By: Cheryl Malik
https://40aprons.com/maple-dijon-chicken-thighs/