Maple-Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Thyme

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs marinated in a sweet maple and garlic mixture, grilled to perfection with fresh thyme notes. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs pure maple syrup, minced garlic cloves, fresh thyme leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup pure maple syrup, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Add 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs to the marinade, tossing to coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for deeper flavor.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 375°F). Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off.
  4. Step 4: Place chicken thighs skin-side down on the grill and cook for 6-7 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp. Flip and grill for another 6-7 minutes, basting with reserved marinade during the last 5 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Step 5: Remove from the grill and rest for 5 minutes before serving to let juices redistribute.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Maple-Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Thyme take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Grilled Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Thyme?

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 pure maple syrup from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Thyme?

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 Grilled Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Thyme 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 Grilled Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Thyme?

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.

Related recipes