Maple-Dijon Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Rice

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs glazed with a sweet-tangy maple-dijon sauce, served over fragrant rice with fresh herbs. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, maple syrup for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Sear chicken thighs skin-side down for 5-6 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook 3 minutes more.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken and set aside. Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1/2 cup chicken broth, scraping up browned bits.
  5. Step 5: Return chicken to skillet, nestling into sauce. Simmer covered for 20 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F.
  6. Step 6: While chicken cooks, rinse rice and cook in 1 cup water until tender (about 15 minutes). Fluff with fork and stir in 1 tbsp fresh thyme.
  7. Step 7: Slice chicken, drizzle with pan sauce, and serve over rice sprinkled with 2 tbsp chopped parsley.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Maple-Dijon Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Rice take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Maple-Dijon Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Rice?

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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Dijon Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Rice?

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 Maple-Dijon Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Rice 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 Maple-Dijon Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Rice?

American chicken 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.

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