Virginia Peach-Ham Glazed Chicken Thighs
Tender chicken thighs coated in a sweet-tart glaze made with fresh peaches and Virginia-style ham, perfect for summer dinners. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs chicken thighs, medium peaches, ham for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 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
- 12 oz chicken thighs
- 2 medium peaches
- 4 oz ham
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Pat 12 oz chicken thighs dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Dice 2 medium peaches into 1/2-inch cubes and mince 2 cloves garlic.
- Step 3: Chop 4 oz ham into small pieces and set aside.
- Step 4: Whisk together 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp dijon mustard, and 1 tbsp olive oil in a bowl.
- Step 5: Sauté 1/2 of the diced peaches and minced garlic in 1 tsp olive oil over medium heat until softened (4 minutes).
- Step 6: Add chopped ham to the pan and cook for 2 minutes until slightly crisp.
- Step 7: Pour honey mixture over chicken thighs in a baking dish, then top with the peach-ham mixture.
- Step 8: Bake for 25 minutes until chicken is golden and juices run clear.
- Step 9: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow glaze to set.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Virginia Peach-Ham Glazed Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 Virginia Peach-Ham 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 Virginia Peach-Ham 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 Virginia Peach-Ham 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 Virginia Peach-Ham Glazed Chicken Thighs?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved the sweet and savory combo. Made it for my wife's birthday and everyone raved.
- ★★★★★
This was a hit at my family dinner! The peach-ham glaze was perfect, and the chicken was so tender.
- ★★★★☆
Great recipe, but the chicken thighs were a bit dry. Maybe I overcooked them.
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