Maple-Glazed Chicken with Wild Rice
Tender chicken thighs glazed in a sweet maple syrup and soy sauce, served over a bed of nutty wild rice. This canadian-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs chicken thighs, maple syrup, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup wild rice
- 1 tbsp butter
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 1.5 lbs chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Sear the chicken thighs for 5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 cup diced onion, sautéing for 2 minutes until softened.
- Step 4: Add 3 tbsp maple syrup, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 cup chicken broth to the skillet, stirring to combine.
- Step 5: Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Simmer for 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Step 6: Meanwhile, cook 1 cup wild rice according to package directions (usually 40 minutes in 2 cups water).
- Step 7: Once the rice is cooked, serve the chicken and sauce over the wild rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Glazed Chicken with Wild 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-Glazed Chicken with Wild 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 chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Glazed Chicken with Wild 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-Glazed Chicken with Wild 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-Glazed Chicken with Wild Rice?
Canadian 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My kids begged for seconds! Maple glaze is a game-changer for chicken dinners.
- ★★★★★
Impressed my in-laws with this recipe—simple yet elegant for a Canadian dinner party.
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a cozy dinner. The wild rice soaked up the glaze beautifully without getting mushy.