This Maple Glazed Chicken is a quick and easy dish that’s perfect for a flavorful and satisfying weeknight dinner! Imagine tender, juicy chicken breasts coated in a sweet and savory maple glaze with a hint of lemon and ginger. This recipe is ready in just 15 minutes, making it a fantastic option when you’re short on time but still crave a delicious and healthy meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe comes together in a flash with minimal ingredients and simple steps.
- Flavorful and Aromatic: The combination of maple syrup, lemon juice, garlic, and ginger creates a delicious and aromatic glaze that complements the chicken perfectly.
- One-Pan Wonder: Minimal cleanup! Everything cooks together in one skillet, saving you time and effort.
- Versatile: Serve this Maple Glazed Chicken with your favorite sides, such as rice, mashed potatoes, or vegetables. It’s also great for meal prepping or adding to salads and wraps.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless, they provide a lean and healthy protein source.
- Salt and pepper: Season the chicken to perfection.
- Olive oil: Used to cook the chicken and make the glaze.
- Maple syrup: Adds sweetness and creates a delicious glaze.
- Lemon juice: Adds brightness and acidity to the glaze. You can substitute with apple cider vinegar if you prefer.
- Cornstarch: Used to thicken the glaze.
- Garlic: Minced and adds a fragrant and savory punch to the glaze.
- Ground ginger: Adds a warm and slightly spicy flavor to the glaze.
- Water: Thins the glaze to the desired consistency.
Note: For exact measurements, see the recipe card below!
How to Make Maple Glazed Chicken
Step 1: Prepare and Cook the Chicken
Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create thinner cutlets, about 1 inch thick. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for about 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Maple Glaze
Add the remaining olive oil, maple syrup, lemon juice, cornstarch, minced garlic, ground ginger, and water to the skillet. Whisk until the cornstarch is dissolved and the ingredients are well combined. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 3: Finish and Serve
Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the maple glaze. Remove from the heat and serve immediately with your favorite sides.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Use high-quality chicken: For the best flavor and texture, use high-quality chicken breasts.
- Don’t overcook the chicken: Overcooked chicken will be dry. Cook it just until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
- Adjust the sweetness: Adjust the amount of maple syrup to your liking, depending on how sweet you want the glaze.
- Double the sauce: If you’d like extra sauce to drizzle over vegetables, potatoes, or to use as a salad dressing, double the sauce ingredients.
- Make ahead: You can cook the chicken ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, simply reheat the chicken and make the glaze.
How to Serve
This Maple Glazed Chicken is delicious with a variety of sides:
- Rice: Steamed white or brown rice is a classic pairing for this dish.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes complement the sweet and savory flavors of the chicken beautifully.
- Vegetables: Steamed or roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, or asparagus, are a healthy and colorful addition to the meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
This Maple Glazed Chicken is best enjoyed fresh, but you can also prepare components ahead of time or store leftovers for later.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover chicken and glaze in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through.
FAQs
1. Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes, you can! Chicken thighs are more flavorful and forgiving than chicken breasts, so they’re a great option for this recipe.
2. Can I make this recipe without the lemon juice?
Yes, you can! The lemon juice adds brightness and acidity, but you can omit it or substitute it with apple cider vinegar.
3. Can I add other seasonings to the glaze?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with your favorite seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs.
4. Can I make this recipe in the oven?
Yes, you can! Simply bake the seasoned chicken breasts in a preheated oven at 400°F for about 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through. Then, toss with the prepared glaze and broil for a few minutes to thicken the glaze and caramelize the honey.
This Maple Glazed Chicken Recipe is a simple, flavorful, and versatile way to enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal. With its easy preparation, quick cooking time, and customizable flavors, it’s a recipe you’ll want to make again and again!
PrintMaple Glazed Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-sear, Stovetop
Description
This Maple Glazed Chicken is a quick and easy dish that’s perfect for a weeknight meal! Tender chicken breasts are pan-seared and coated in a sweet and savory maple glaze with a hint of lemon and ginger. It’s a simple yet satisfying recipe that’s ready in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 large breasts), sliced in half lengthwise
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C). Remove chicken and set aside.
- Make Maple Glaze: In the same skillet, combine remaining olive oil, maple syrup, lemon juice, cornstarch, garlic, ginger, and water. Whisk until cornstarch is dissolved and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Glaze and Serve: Return chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the glaze. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute lemon juice with apple cider vinegar for a different flavor profile.
- Double the sauce ingredients if you want extra for drizzling or as a salad dressing.
- Serve with your favorite sides, such as rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast half with sauce
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
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