Save Tender chicken thighs and sweet potatoes are roasted together in a luscious maple glaze, creating a comforting, sweet-savory meal perfect for any night of the week.
I first made this Maple Glazed Chicken & Sweet Potato Bake for a busy weeknight and was amazed at how easily it came together, with the sweet and savory flavors delighting everyone at the table.
Ingredients
- Chicken: 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetables: 2 large sweet potatoes (peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes), 1 red onion (cut into wedges), 2 cups baby spinach (optional for serving)
- Maple Glaze: 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Prepare Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prep Vegetables:
- In a large bowl toss sweet potatoes and red onion with half the olive oil half the salt and half the pepper. Spread evenly in a large baking dish or rimmed sheet pan.
- Season Chicken:
- Pat chicken thighs dry rub with remaining olive oil salt and pepper. Nestle them among the sweet potatoes.
- Make Maple Glaze:
- In a small bowl whisk together maple syrup Dijon mustard apple cider vinegar garlic smoked paprika and thyme.
- Brush and Bake:
- Brush half the maple glaze over the chicken and vegetables. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Glaze Again:
- Brush with remaining glaze. Continue baking for another 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through (165°F/74°C internal temperature) and sweet potatoes are tender.
- Add Spinach:
- Optionally scatter baby spinach over the hot bake and let wilt before serving.
- Serve:
- Serve hot spooning pan juices over each portion.
Save This dish quickly became a family favorite and now it often appears on our Sunday night dinner table capturing that cozy homestyle feeling.
Required Tools
Large baking dish or sheet pan mixing bowls whisk basting brush chefs knife and cutting board help the preparation go smoothly every time.
Allergen Information
The dish includes Dijon mustard and is suitable for gluten-free diets when all ingredients are checked for allergens.
Nutritional Information
Each serving provides about 445 calories 19 g total fat 40 g carbohydrates and 29 g protein making it a balanced meal.
Save This bake is a comforting crowd-pleaser that tastes even better the next day. Spoon extra glaze over the chicken for a truly irresistible finish.
Kitchen Guide
- → What cut of chicken works best for this dish?
Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs provide juicy meat and crisp skin after roasting, enhancing flavor and texture.
- → Can I use boneless chicken instead?
Yes, boneless skinless thighs can be used but reduce baking time by about 10 minutes to avoid drying out.
- → What gives the dish its sweet-savory balance?
The maple syrup adds sweetness, balanced by tangy apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and smoked paprika for depth.
- → Is it necessary to add baby spinach?
Baby spinach is optional and adds a fresh, slightly bitter contrast when wilted on top just before serving.
- → How can I add crunch to the dish?
Add chopped pecans or walnuts in the last 10 minutes of roasting to introduce a crunchy texture.