There’s something about the sweet tang of maple combined with the zesty punch of Dijon that just sings in this Maple Dijon Chicken with Roasted Vegetables Recipe. It’s a dish that balances cozy comfort with bright, fresh flavors—perfect for when you want a satisfying meal without any fuss.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m always on the lookout for meals that feel special but don’t require hours in the kitchen. This Maple Dijon Chicken with Roasted Vegetables Recipe is one of those gems. It’s bursting with flavor, easy to prep, and the best part? Everything cooks together in one pan, so there’s less cleanup and more time to relax.
- One-Pan Wonder: You roast the chicken and veggies together, which means fewer dishes and evenly infused flavors.
- Sweet Meets Tangy: The blend of maple syrup and two types of Dijon mustard creates a perfectly balanced glaze that’s irresistible.
- Comfort in Every Bite: The roasted sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts soak up the sauce beautifully, making each forkful hearty and satisfying.
- Weeknight Friendly: Ready in about an hour with minimal hands-on time—perfect when you want a homemade meal without stress.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a role in building layers of flavor and texture. The combination of boneless, skinless chicken thighs and hearty vegetables, all coated with that vibrant maple Dijon glaze, creates a balanced and deeply satisfying dish. When shopping, picking fresh veggies and quality mustard will make a noticeable difference.
- Chicken Thighs: Juicy and flavorful, they stay moist during roasting—perfect for soaking up the maple mustard glaze.
- Canola (or avocado/grapeseed) Oil: Neutral oils that handle high heat well without overpowering the other flavors.
- Paprika: Adds subtle warmth and beautiful color to the chicken.
- Dijon Mustard (both smooth and whole grain): The twin mustards layer tang and texture into the sauce for complexity.
- Pure Maple Syrup: For natural sweetness and a lovely caramelization as it roasts.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds sharpness and brightens the glaze.
- Coarse Kosher Sea Salt: Enhances all the flavors—don’t skimp here!
- Sweet Potatoes: Their sweetness is a perfect match for the tangy glaze and they roast up tender and creamy.
- Brussels Sprouts: Roasted to tender-crisp perfection, they bring slight bitterness that balances the sweeter notes.
- Salt and Ground Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning the vegetables and balancing flavor throughout.
Make It Your Way
While I love this recipe as it is, one of my favorite things about it is how easy it is to tweak based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences. Feel free to swap in your favorite veggies or adjust the seasoning to suit your taste buds.
- Variation: I once swapped Brussels sprouts for green beans and tossed in some sliced red onion—equally delicious and brought a slightly sweeter vegetable note.
- Dietary Mod: For a lighter version, you can use chicken breasts but watch the cooking time to keep them juicy.
- Spice It Up: Adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce gives a subtle heat that I adore on chilly nights.
- Seasonal Swap: In fall, I sometimes add diced butternut squash or parsnips with the sweet potatoes for extra color and sweetness.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Maple Dijon Chicken with Roasted Vegetables Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Sear the Chicken
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). Then, drizzle some oil in a large cast iron skillet or Dutch oven and spread it evenly. Lay the chicken thighs in a single layer and sprinkle with paprika for a gentle smoky note. This step helps to start developing that golden color and flavor before baking. It’s tempting to skip this, but trust me—it makes a difference!
Step 2: Whisk Together the Maple Dijon Glaze
In a medium bowl, whisk the smooth Dijon, whole-grain Dijon, pure maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and kosher salt together until silky. This combo is magic—it balances sweetness, tang, and just enough saltiness. Spoon about a third of this gorgeous sauce over the chicken, coating each piece. Reserve the rest for later layers of flavor.
Step 3: Roast and Add the Sweet Potatoes
Place the skillet in the hot oven and bake the chicken for 10 minutes. Then take it out and spoon half of the remaining sauce evenly over the chicken. Scatter the seasoned sweet potatoes around the chicken—this is where the taste party really kicks in. The sweet potatoes soak up the sauce as they roast alongside the chicken. Return the skillet to the oven for another 10 minutes.
Step 4: Finish with Brussels Sprouts
After that, pull the skillet from the oven one more time, spoon the remaining sauce over everything, and toss in the Brussels sprouts. Spread them out so they roast evenly. Back in the oven it goes for about 20 minutes, until the veggies are tender and lightly caramelized and the chicken is perfectly cooked through.
Remove from the oven and serve immediately while the sauce is still glossy and the aromas are irresistible.
Top Tip
From my many runs with this recipe, I’ve learned a few tricks that make it even better. These little tweaks ensure your Maple Dijon Chicken with Roasted Vegetables turns out perfectly every time and helps you avoid common pitfalls.
- Use a Heavy Skillet: Cast iron or a sturdy Dutch oven holds heat beautifully and helps everything roast evenly without burning.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Give the vegetables room to roast so they crisp up instead of steaming.
- Check Your Oven Temperature: Even a slight variance can change cooking times—an oven thermometer is a small investment that pays off.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the chicken settle for a few minutes after roasting to keep it juicy and let the juices redistribute.
How to Serve Maple Dijon Chicken with Roasted Vegetables Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the finished dish—its bright, herbal note lifts all the rich flavors. Sometimes, I’ll add a squeeze of lemon juice or a few cracks of fresh black pepper just before serving for an extra punch of freshness.
Side Dishes
This dish holds up beautifully on its own, but I like pairing it with a simple green salad or some crusty bread to soak up any extra sauce. On special occasions, garlic mashed potatoes are a fantastic side that complements the maple Dijon glaze perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy dinner party, I’ve served this dish right in the skillet on the table alongside a warm loaf of bread and a rustic wooden board piled with cheese and olives—it creates a relaxed, family-style atmosphere that guests really appreciate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate them. The flavors deepen overnight, making the next-day meal just as delicious. The veggies might soften a bit more, but the dish reheats nicely.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this dish a couple of times and found it best to freeze the chicken and veggies separately if possible. When reheating after freezing, it’s easier to warm the components gently without drying anything out.
Reheating
To warm leftovers, I like to use the oven at a low temperature around 300°F (150°C). This gentle heat keeps the chicken tender and avoids overcooking the vegetables. A quick drizzle of olive oil before reheating helps restore that roasted finish.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts, but be mindful that they cook faster and can dry out more easily. Check for doneness earlier, around 20-25 minutes total, and consider marinating them a bit longer for extra tenderness.
Sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts are excellent choices as they complement the glaze well. You can also use other sturdy vegetables that roast evenly, such as carrots, parsnips, or green beans, depending on season and preference.
The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the vegetables are tender when pierced with a fork. The sauce should be bubbly and slightly caramelized.
Absolutely! You can prepare the chicken and glaze ahead, then refrigerate until ready to roast. Just add vegetables when you’re ready to bake for best texture, or roast everything together if making all at once.
Final Thoughts
This Maple Dijon Chicken with Roasted Vegetables Recipe holds a special place in my weeknight lineup. It’s a reminder that cooking well doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Sharing it with friends and family often sparks compliments and requests for seconds, which has me making it again and again. So, give it a try—you’ll have a tasty, wholesome dinner on the table that feels like a little celebration every time.
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Maple Dijon Chicken with Roasted Vegetables Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Maple Dijon Chicken and Vegetables recipe combines tender boneless chicken thighs with a flavorful maple and Dijon mustard glaze, roasted alongside sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts. It's a simple yet elegant one-pan dish perfect for busy weeknights, delivering a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors with minimal prep and clean-up.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 teaspoon canola oil (or 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 teaspoon canola oil (or avocado or grapeseed oil)
- 2 cups diced sweet potatoes (¾-inch cubes)
- 2 cups halved Brussels sprouts
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for roasting the chicken and vegetables.
- Prepare Chicken: Spread 2 teaspoons of your chosen oil on the bottom of a large cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. Add the chicken thighs and season evenly with paprika.
- Make Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, whole grain Dijon mustard, pure maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and coarse kosher sea salt until smooth. Spoon one-third of this sauce over the chicken thighs.
- Start Baking: Place the skillet with the chicken in the oven and bake for 10 minutes to begin cooking and infusing the flavors.
- Add Vegetables and Sauce: Remove the skillet from the oven and spoon half of the remaining sauce over the chicken. Add the diced sweet potatoes to the skillet, tossing slightly so they coat in the sauce. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
- Finish Vegetables and Sauce: Remove the skillet again and spoon the remaining sauce over the chicken. Add the halved Brussels sprouts, season with salt and pepper to taste, and return the skillet to the oven. Continue baking for 20 minutes or until the sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts are fork-tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and serve immediately while hot and flavorful.
Notes
- This dish works best with a heavy-bottomed cast iron skillet or Dutch oven for even heat distribution during roasting.
- Feel free to substitute sweet potatoes with regular potatoes or butternut squash for variation.
- To make the recipe easier, prepare the sauce ahead and marinate the chicken for up to 30 minutes before cooking.
- Use fresh Brussels sprouts for the best texture; halve them evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
- This recipe pairs well with a simple green salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.
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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