Johnson's Maple-Glazed Chicken Thighs
Crispy-skinned chicken thighs with a sweet-tangy maple-rosemary glaze, honoring the most common surname in the U.S. This american-inspired grilling ready in about 40 minutes pairs chicken thighs, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp rosemary
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 lemon
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 2 lbs chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until skin is deeply golden and crispy.
- Step 3: Flip chicken and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 3 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tsp chopped rosemary. Simmer for 1 minute until slightly thickened.
- Step 5: Return chicken to skillet, skin-side up, and spoon glaze over top. Transfer skillet to a preheated 400°F oven and bake for 20 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally. Squeeze juice from 1 lemon over the top before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Johnson's Maple-Glazed Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Johnson's Maple-Glazed Chicken Thighs?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Johnson's Maple-Glazed Chicken Thighs?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Johnson's Maple-Glazed Chicken Thighs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Johnson's Maple-Glazed Chicken Thighs?
American grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
