There’s something irresistibly cozy about the way sweet maple syrup and tangy Dijon mustard come together in this dish. The Maple Dijon Chicken with Roasted Vegetables Recipe creates a delightful balance of flavors and colors that turns a simple dinner into an occasion, without making you work too hard in the kitchen.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Maple Dijon Chicken with Roasted Vegetables Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Maple Dijon Chicken with Roasted Vegetables Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Maple Dijon Chicken with Roasted Vegetables Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve tried loads of chicken and veggie combos, but this one always brings me back because it’s easy, flavorful, and feels a little special. Plus, the roasting intensifies everything - from the sweetness of the potatoes to the caramelized edges of the Brussels sprouts.
- Simple Yet Sophisticated: The maple and Dijon combo adds layers of flavor with minimal effort, making dinner feel gourmet.
- All-in-One Roasting: Cooking chicken and veggies together saves time and cleanup, perfect for busy evenings.
- Flexible Ingredients: You can swap veggies or adjust seasonings to suit your family’s taste or what’s in your fridge.
- Comfort Food with a Twist: It combines familiar favorites like sweet potatoes and chicken with a fresh flavor punch that’s never boring.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe uses straightforward ingredients with bold, complementary flavors. The sweetness of the pure maple syrup brightens the tanginess from two types of Dijon mustard, while the apple cider vinegar adds that needed zing. Tossed with hearty chicken thighs and robust roasted veggies, everything just clicks.
- Canola (or avocado/grapeseed) oil: A neutral oil with high smoke point perfect for roasting without burning flavors.
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs: Juicier and more forgiving than breasts – they stay tender after roasting.
- Paprika: Adds a subtle smokiness and beautiful color to the chicken.
- Dijon mustard (both smooth and whole grain): Offers a balanced sharpness with texture, elevating the sauce complexity.
- Pure maple syrup: Brings natural sweetness to counterbalance the mustard’s tang.
- Apple cider vinegar: Brightens and lifts the sauce so it’s not too sweet.
- Coarse kosher sea salt: Essential for seasoning and accentuating other flavors.
- Diced sweet potatoes: Roasted until caramelized and tender, the sweetness pairs perfectly with the chicken.
- Halved Brussels sprouts: Their slight bitterness and crisp edges create great contrast.
- Salt and ground black pepper: To season veggies, bringing out their natural flavors.
Make It Your Way
While I love the classic mix of sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts here, there’s plenty of room to experiment with this recipe. Feel free to swap veggies, try different types of mustard, or tweak the sweetness level to suit your taste buds.
- Variation: Sometimes, I swap Brussels sprouts for green beans or roasted carrots, especially when they’re in season and fresh at the market. It gives the dish a slightly different texture that’s just as delightful.
- Dietary tweaks: For a lower-carb meal, I’ve used cauliflower florets instead of sweet potatoes – still roasts beautifully with the chicken and sauce.
- Spice it up: A pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika in the sauce amps up the warmth and depth if you like a little heat.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Maple Dijon Chicken with Roasted Vegetables Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Season the Chicken
First, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). I like using a cast iron skillet here—it gives the chicken a lovely sear right in the oven. Drizzle 2 teaspoons of oil on the skillet’s bottom, then add the chicken thighs. Sprinkle the paprika over each piece for that subtle smoky backdrop and give them a gentle rub so every bite is flavorful.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Sauce
Next, whisk the Dijon mustards, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and kosher salt together in a medium bowl. The combo of smooth and whole grain mustards is a game changer, giving the sauce a wonderful texture. Spoon about one-third of this sauce over your chicken, making sure every piece gets a nice glaze.
Step 3: Start Roasting the Chicken
Slide your skillet into the oven and bake the chicken for 10 minutes. This initial roasting lets the chicken start cooking and helps that sauce set nicely on the meat.
Step 4: Add Sweet Potatoes and More Sauce
After 10 minutes, carefully pull out the skillet and spoon half of the remaining sauce over the chicken. Tuck the diced sweet potatoes around the chicken pieces so they can soak up those lovely flavors. Return the skillet to the oven for another 10 minutes.
Step 5: Add Brussels Sprouts and Finish Roasting
Time for the last layer: remove the skillet, spoon the rest of the sauce on top, and scatter the halved Brussels sprouts around the pan. Give the sprouts a quick sprinkle of salt and pepper. Pop it back in the oven for 20 more minutes, or until both the veggies are tender and the chicken is cooked through. You want those edges to crisp up beautifully.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once everything’s golden and tender, take the skillet out and dive right in. I like serving this dish straight from the pan – it keeps things cozy and inviting at the dinner table.
Top Tip
From my many attempts, I’ve learned a few tricks to make this Maple Dijon Chicken with Roasted Vegetables recipe turn out perfectly every time, especially if you’re juggling a busy weeknight schedule.
- Use a heavy skillet: Cast iron or a Dutch oven holds heat evenly, giving your chicken a gorgeous sear and ensuring veggies roast rather than steam.
- Don’t crowd the pan: Give your veggies a bit of space so they crisp up instead of getting soggy. If your pan feels packed, roast veggies separately.
- Layer sauces thoughtfully: Spreading the sauce in thirds throughout cooking ensures the chicken stays moist and flavors develop gradually.
- Let it rest briefly: After baking, let your chicken rest 5 minutes before serving. It helps juice redistribute so the meat stays tender.
How to Serve Maple Dijon Chicken with Roasted Vegetables Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle some fresh thyme or chopped parsley over the top right before serving — it adds a fresh pop and pretty green color that brightens up the plate. Sometimes a little lemon zest or a light drizzle of extra maple syrup helps lift the flavors even more.
Side Dishes
This dish stands well on its own, but if you want to round it out, I love serving it alongside a crisp green salad or some crusty bread to sop up any extra sauce. For a heartier meal, some garlic mashed potatoes or a wild rice pilaf work beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For special dinners, I’ve plated the chicken sliced over a bed of mashed cauliflower or quinoa, with veggies artfully arranged around. Serving the whole skillet at the table is perfect for casual gatherings—everyone can help themselves, which makes it feel warm and communal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making it a great meal to enjoy the next day. Just keep any sauce on the side if the veggies were especially soft, to avoid sogginess.
Freezing
I've frozen cooked chicken thighs from this recipe successfully—just pack them with some roasted veggies, and thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Maple Dijon sauce holds up well, but I suggest adding a fresh squeeze of lemon or a pinch of fresh herbs when reheating to brighten it back up.
Reheating
To keep leftovers tasting fresh, I reheat gently in a skillet or oven at 350°F until warmed through—this helps maintain the crispness of the veggies and avoid drying out the chicken. Microwaving works for convenience, but I prefer the oven method when I have a few extra minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can swap chicken breasts if preferred, but be mindful they cook faster and can dry out more easily. To keep them juicy, consider pounding them to an even thickness and reducing the roasting time slightly.
Great substitutes include green beans, broccoli florets, or asparagus. Choose vegetables that roast well and hold their shape, ensuring a nice texture contrast with the chicken and sweet potatoes.
To prep ahead, cook the chicken and veggies as instructed, then cool completely before portioning into containers. Keep the sauce separate to drizzle just before eating to maintain freshness. Reheat thoroughly when ready to enjoy.
Absolutely! All ingredients are naturally gluten-free as long as you choose gluten-free Dijon mustard (some brands may contain additives). Always check your labels to be sure.
Final Thoughts
This Maple Dijon Chicken with Roasted Vegetables recipe is one I keep coming back to because it strikes that perfect balance of flavorful, comforting, and easy. Whenever I’m short on time but want something that feels homemade and special, this recipe shines. I hope you give it a try soon—it’s a warm hug on a plate that’s just waiting to brighten your weeknight dinner.
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Maple Dijon Chicken with Roasted Vegetables Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Maple Dijon Chicken and Vegetables is a delicious and easy-to-make dish featuring tender chicken thighs glazed with a sweet and tangy maple Dijon sauce, roasted alongside vibrant sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts for a wholesome and elegant meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 teaspoon canola (avocado or grapeseed) oil
- 1 ½ lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup whole grain Dijon mustard
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon coarse kosher sea salt
Vegetables
- 2 cups diced sweet potatoes (¾-inch cubes)
- 2 cups halved Brussels sprouts
- 2 teaspoon canola (avocado or grapeseed) oil
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Skillet: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Spread 2 teaspoon of oil evenly on the bottom of a large cast iron skillet or Dutch oven.
- Season Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in the skillet and season evenly with ½ teaspoon paprika.
- Make Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, whole grain Dijon mustard, pure maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and ½ teaspoon coarse kosher sea salt until smooth.
- Coat Chicken with Sauce: Spoon one-third of the prepared maple Dijon sauce over the chicken thighs, ensuring they are well coated.
- First Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake the chicken for 10 minutes.
- Add Sweet Potatoes and Sauce: Remove the skillet from the oven and spoon half of the remaining sauce over the chicken. Add the diced sweet potatoes around the chicken in the skillet.
- Second Bake: Return the skillet to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
- Add Brussels Sprouts and Finish Baking: Remove the skillet again, spoon the remaining sauce over the chicken and vegetables, then add the halved Brussels sprouts. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Final Bake: Return the skillet to the oven and bake for 20 minutes more, or until the sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts are fork-tender and the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately for a warm, flavorful meal.
Notes
- This dish balances sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, making it elegant yet simple for weeknight dinners.
- If preferred, substitute canola oil with avocado or grapeseed oil for a different flavor profile.
- Ensure vegetables are cut uniformly to guarantee even cooking.
- Use a large cast iron skillet or Dutch oven to retain heat and cook evenly.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispness of vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 472 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 864 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.05 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 162 mg
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