Pin this Sweet and savory maple glazed chicken with roasted sweet potatoes, caramelized to perfection in one pan for the ultimate cozy fall dinner.
Ingredients
- Main Ingredients: 6 bone in skin on chicken thighs, 3 large sweet potatoes peeled and cubed into 1 inch pieces, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt divided, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Maple Glaze: ⅓ cup pure maple syrup (Grade A dark amber recommended), 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons butter melted, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (plus extra for garnish), ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Garnish: ¼ cup chopped pecans, Flaky sea salt for finishing
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- Step 2:
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides with ½ teaspoon salt and all the black pepper.
- Step 3:
- In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato cubes with olive oil, remaining ½ teaspoon salt, and garlic powder. Spread evenly on one side of the prepared baking sheet.
- Step 4:
- Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs on the other side of the baking sheet, leaving space between pieces for even roasting.
- Step 5:
- In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, melted butter, minced garlic, thyme leaves, and cinnamon to make the glaze.
- Step 6:
- Brush half of the maple glaze evenly over the chicken thighs and sweet potatoes using a pastry brush.
- Step 7:
- Roast in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Step 8:
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and brush the chicken and sweet potatoes with the remaining maple glaze.
- Step 9:
- Return to the oven and roast for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the chicken is golden and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C), and the sweet potatoes are tender and caramelized.
- Step 10:
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Step 11:
- Sprinkle with chopped pecans, extra fresh thyme leaves, and flaky sea salt before serving.
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Pin this Recipe FAQs
- → What type of chicken works best?
Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs provide the most flavor and juicy texture, but boneless thighs or breasts can be substituted with adjusted cooking times.
- → How do I ensure the sweet potatoes roast evenly?
Cut sweet potatoes into uniform 1-inch cubes and toss them in olive oil with salt and garlic powder for even roasting and caramelization.
- → Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Yes, simply replace melted butter in the glaze with additional olive oil to make it dairy-free without sacrificing flavor.
- → Is it important to brush the glaze twice?
Brushing the glaze before and midway through roasting builds layers of sweet and savory flavor, maximizing caramelization on both chicken and potatoes.
- → What side dishes pair well with this main?
A crisp white wine like Chardonnay or a light cider complements the sweet and savory flavors beautifully for a complete meal.
- → Can I broil the dish at the end?
Yes, broiling for 2–3 minutes at the end adds extra color but should be watched carefully to prevent burning.