Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Smoky Maple Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Juicy chicken thighs pan-seared to golden perfection and finished with a smoky maple glaze that balances sweet and savory flavors. This American-inspired game-day recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, smoked paprika, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 350 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 pieces (about 1.5 lbs) bone-in chicken thighs
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp pure maple syrup
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp garlic powder

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Instructions

Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in chicken thighs and season both sides evenly with 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add the chicken thighs skin-side down. Sear for 6-7 minutes without moving until the skin is deep golden and crisp.
Step 3: Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the thighs are cooked through.
Step 4: Remove the chicken to a plate and lower heat to medium. Add 3 tbsp pure maple syrup, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder to the pan, stirring for 1-2 minutes until the glaze thickens and becomes shiny.
Step 5: Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon the glaze over each piece, cooking for another minute to coat well before serving.