There’s something so comforting about a one-pan meal that fills your kitchen with warm, inviting aromas and saves you from piles of dishes later. This Maple Glazed Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe is exactly that—sweet, savory, and perfectly easy to whip up on a busy night when you want something tasty without fuss.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Maple Glazed Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Maple Glazed Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Maple Glazed Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made this Maple Glazed Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe countless times when life gets hectic but I still want something wholesome and delicious. The maple glaze adds this beautiful balance of sweet and umami that makes the chicken shine without much effort.
- One-pan convenience: Everything cooks together, so cleanup is a breeze—no scrubbing multiple pots or pans.
- Perfect flavor combo: The maple syrup, soy sauce, and ginger build a glaze that’s both sweet and slightly spicy.
- Colorful and nutritious: Roasting butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, and red onion alongside chicken makes the meal vibrant and well-rounded.
- Flexible and forgiving: It’s easy to swap veggies or add your favorite herbs to customize this dish your way.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Everything about this Maple Glazed Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe is about layering flavors and textures that complement each other wonderfully. Here’s why these ingredients come together so well:
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs: They stay juicy and tender when roasted, perfect for soaking up that maple glaze.
- Butternut squash: Adds a subtle sweetness and creamy texture once roasted, pairing beautifully with the savory chicken.
- Brussels sprouts: Roasting brings out their natural sweetness and gives just the right amount of crispness.
- Red onion: Adds a mild pungency and color contrast that brightens the dish visually and flavor-wise.
- Olive oil: Helps everything roast evenly and adds a rich, fruity note without overpowering.
- Maple syrup: The star of the glaze, offering natural sweetness that caramelizes beautifully on chicken.
- Soy sauce (or tamari): Provides umami depth that balances the sweetness and adds complexity.
- Sesame oil: Just a hint lends a subtle nuttiness and aroma that lifts the whole glaze.
- Fresh ginger: Adds zing and a touch of warmth, cutting through sweetness perfectly.
- Red pepper flakes: Give a little kick—but you can adjust according to your heat preference.
- Fresh thyme: A fragrant herb that works fabulously with roasted chicken and veggies for added earthiness.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love about this Maple Glazed Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe is how adaptable it is. I usually stick to the basics, but sometimes I toss in extra veggies or swap sweet potatoes for butternut squash.
- Variation: Try swapping Brussels sprouts for green beans or asparagus when in season—I find it changes the texture and color beautifully.
- Spice level: If you like a bit more heat, I often bump up the red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne.
- Gluten-free option: Tamari works perfectly in place of soy sauce without compromising flavor.
- Herb swaps: Rosemary is a great substitute for thyme if you prefer a more piney aroma.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Maple Glazed Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Veggies and Chicken
First, preheat your oven to 425°F. While it’s warming up, toss your cubed butternut squash, halved Brussels sprouts, and sliced red onion in a large bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper. This helps the veggies get that gorgeous roasted caramelization. Spread them out evenly on a large sheet pan, then nestle the chicken thighs right on top—season those with salt and pepper too. This layering means the chicken juices mingle with the veggies as they roast, flavor magic!
Step 2: Mix Up That Maple Glaze
While the oven finishes preheating, whisk together your soy sauce, pure maple syrup, sesame oil, grated ginger, red pepper flakes, and fresh thyme in a small bowl. The mixture is sweet, tangy, and carries a nice punch from the ginger and red pepper. Brush this glaze generously over each chicken thigh, saving a little to baste later.
Step 3: Roast and Glaze Again
Pop the sheet pan into the oven and let everything roast for about 25 to 30 minutes. Keep an eye on the veggies—they should be tender and slightly caramelized, and the chicken juices run clear when poked. If you like your veggies crispy, I highly recommend flipping on the broiler for the last 2–3 minutes; it gives such a nice finish. Once out of the oven, brush the remaining glaze over the chicken and veggies so every bite shines with that irresistible maple flavor.
Top Tip
From my experience, the secret to this dish is in the glaze and proper roasting time. I’ve learned a few tweaks that can really take it over the edge:
- Apply glaze twice: Brushing the maple sauce both before and after roasting keeps the chicken moist and flavorful.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Spacing the chicken and veggies helps them roast evenly with nice caramelization instead of steaming.
- Broil at the end: Using the broiler for a couple of minutes crisps up the veggies beautifully and deepens the maple glaze’s color.
- Use fresh ginger: It really cuts through the sweetness and adds brightness that dried ginger just can’t match.
How to Serve Maple Glazed Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley or additional thyme on top for color and freshness. A few toasted sesame seeds can add a lovely nutty crunch if you want to get a little fancy. Lemon wedges on the side brighten it up perfectly too.
Side Dishes
This entire meal comes together on one sheet pan, but if you want to add more, steamed brown rice or quinoa pairs beautifully to soak up that maple-soy glaze. A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances the sweetness nicely, too.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I arrange the chicken and veggies on a rustic wooden board, garnish with fresh herbs and lemon slices, and serve family-style. It looks stunning and encourages everyone to dig in and savor the flavors together.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The maple glaze mellows a bit, but the flavors develop nicely. Just pop it in the fridge as soon as it cools to keep everything fresh.
Freezing
Freezing works pretty well for this dish. I separate portions into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to two months. When thawed, the veggies can get a little softer, so I recommend reheating gently.
Reheating
I usually reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes to keep the chicken juicy and veggies from getting mushy. A little blast under the broiler at the end helps restore some crispness to the veggies.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can swap in boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but keep in mind they tend to cook faster and can dry out quicker. Watch the cooking time closely and consider marinating to keep them juicy.
It definitely can be. Use tamari instead of soy sauce to keep it gluten-free without sacrificing flavor.
Absolutely! This recipe is super flexible. Try adding carrots, sweet potatoes, or snap peas. Just cut veggies to similar sizes to ensure even cooking.
Maple syrup is really key to that signature flavor and glaze here, but if you need a substitute, honey or agave nectar can work in a pinch. Keep in mind the flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, the Maple Glazed Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe has become one of my go-to weeknight meals because it’s just so easy and satisfying. It hits that perfect sweet-savory note and makes your kitchen smell like a dream. I’m pretty sure once you try it, you’ll be reaching for this combo again and again, especially when you want a comforting dinner that’s as practical as it is delicious.
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Maple Glazed Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A flavorful and easy-to-make sheet pan meal featuring juicy maple-glazed chicken thighs roasted alongside tender butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, and red onion. Perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner with a sweet and savory sauce.
Ingredients
Chicken and Vegetables
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 cups butternut squash, cubed
- 2 cups Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved lengthwise
- ½ large red onion, sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce or tamari if gluten-free
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons grated ginger
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to get it ready for roasting the chicken and vegetables.
- Prepare Vegetables: Toss the butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, and sliced red onion on a large sheet pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil until well coated.
- Arrange Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs on top of the veggies on the sheet pan, then season the chicken and vegetables generously with salt and pepper.
- Make Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, pure maple syrup, sesame oil, grated ginger, red pepper flakes, and fresh thyme until fully combined.
- Apply Sauce: Brush the maple-soy sauce generously over each chicken thigh, reserving some sauce for later use.
- Bake: Roast the chicken and vegetables in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the chicken juices run clear and the vegetables are tender.
- Optional Broil: For crispier vegetables, turn on the broiler for a few minutes carefully watching them so they do not burn.
- Finish and Serve: Brush the reserved sauce over the cooked chicken and vegetables before serving. Enjoy your meal warm.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs if preferred but adjust cooking time accordingly to avoid drying out.
- Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Ensure even chopping of vegetables for uniform cooking.
- Watch carefully if broiling as it can quickly burn the vegetables.
- Fresh thyme can be replaced with dried thyme, use about ⅓ teaspoon dried.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
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