Maple Dijon Chicken Thighs (Printable)

Juicy chicken thighs glazed with a maple-Dijon sauce and roasted alongside baby potatoes and carrots.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (2.5 lbs)
02 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
03 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Maple Dijon Glaze

04 - 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
05 - 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
06 - 2 tbsp olive oil
07 - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves or 1 tsp dried thyme
10 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

→ Vegetables

11 - 14 oz baby potatoes, halved
12 - 9 oz carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
13 - 1 red onion, cut into wedges

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil to facilitate cleanup.
02 - Pat chicken thighs dry and season both sides evenly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, thyme, and smoked paprika until smooth.
04 - Toss halved baby potatoes, carrot pieces, and red onion wedges with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Nestle the seasoned chicken thighs skin-side up among the vegetables. Brush each piece generously with the maple Dijon glaze, reserving about 2 tablespoons for later use.
06 - Roast in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the pan, brush chicken with the reserved glaze, and return to the oven for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin is caramelized.
07 - Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Optionally garnish with extra fresh thyme leaves.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • One pan means one cleanup, which is honestly half the reason I make this on nights when I'm already tired.
  • The chicken stays impossibly juicy while the skin crisps up golden and caramelized in a way that feels like small magic.
  • The glaze tastes sophisticated enough to impress people sitting at your table, but simple enough that you won't feel stressed making it.
02 -
  • Don't skip patting the chicken dry—it's the difference between skin that crisps and skin that steams, and I learned this the hard way with more than one rubbery batch.
  • Real maple syrup is non-negotiable; cheap pancake syrup has added sugar and will burn before caramelizing, leaving a bitter taste instead of that glossy, deep flavor you're after.
  • The vegetables need space on the pan to roast, not steam, so don't overcrowd; they'll finish more evenly and actually brown instead of stewing in their own moisture.
03 -
  • If your glaze starts to look too dark or burnt at the edges during roasting, tent the pan loosely with foil for the last few minutes—you want caramelization, not char.
  • Room-temperature chicken cooks more evenly than cold chicken, so pull it out of the fridge about 15 minutes before you start cooking.
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