Description
A small-batch sheet pan dinner designed for one or two people, featuring crispy, golden chicken thighs coated in a sticky-sweet maple and Dijon glaze with minimal prep and cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 12–14 oz)
- 2 tablespoons real maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Generous crack of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
- Optional: 2 small red potatoes, halved
- Optional: 1/2 cup Brussels sprouts, halved
- Optional: 1/2 cup butternut squash cubes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a small sheet pan (10×13 or 9×13) with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin. Place skin-side up on the prepared pan.
- Season both sides of the chicken generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, olive oil, and thyme until combined.
- Brush the glaze generously over the chicken thighs. If adding vegetables, toss them with a little olive oil and salt and arrange them around the chicken.
- Roast for 25-30 minutes. Halfway through (around 15 minutes), flip the chicken and brush on more glaze.
- Chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and skin is crispy. If needed, broil for 1-2 minutes to crisp skin further, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Patting the chicken dry is crucial for crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the pan. If adding vegetables, cut them into small, uniform pieces so they cook evenly with the chicken. The glaze contains sugar, so watch closely if broiling to prevent burning. Pan juices can be scraped up with water or broth to create a sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 10
- Fat: 24
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
Keywords: small batch dinner, sheet pan chicken, maple dijon chicken, weeknight dinner, easy chicken recipe, fall recipes, gluten-free dinner, dairy-free dinner