I have never gotten so many compliments before, let alone for a piece of chicken. David suggested calling this chicken, “So Good it Can’t Be Described, Explosion on Your Taste Buds Chicken.” Exactly. I have never encountered a dish that is so basic and simple to put together yet creates such a big pay off. This chicken, quite simply, is one of the most savory things I’ve ever eaten. If you are the busiest person on the planet and don’t have much cooking experience, but you have to prepare a meal to woo the love of your life, cook this chicken!
To make this chicken, which you should absolutely do immediately, preheat your oven to 450º F. Then, mix together 1/2 cup of dijon mustard, 1/4 cup of maple syrup, and 1 tablespoon of rice/rice wine vinegar.
Put 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs into a foil-lined or disposable oven-proof, 8×8 inch baking dish. Six thighs came in my package, which made enough to serve 3 people. Then, salt and pepper the thighs. Pour your maple mustard mixture over them, turning the thighs in the mixture so they are fully coated.
Put the chicken thighs into the oven, and let them bake for 40 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 165ºF. Baste the tops of the chicken with the sauce half way through. I find that a meat thermometer is essential in cooking because it allows me to check for doneness without cutting into the meat and losing its precious juices. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Plate the chicken, whisk the sauce that remains in the baking dish, and then spoon the extra sauce over the top. Sprinkle over some fresh rosemary. If there is ever a time to use fresh herbs, THIS IS IT! The flavors are just so good together. Enjoy the savory goodness of this meal!
I adapted this recipe from “The I <3 Trader Joe’s Cookbook” by Cherie Mercer Twohy. Thanks, Jenna!
Shopping list:
- Chicken thighs- 1 package
- Dijon mustard- 1/2 cup
- Maple syrup- 1/4 cup
- Rice/rice wine vinegar- 1 tablespoon
- Fresh rosemary
- Salt and pepper
Did u cover them with foil while baking them?
Won’t get brown if you cover it.
This looks great! What is rice/rice wine vinegar? White rice and rice wine vinegar?
Rice vinegar or rice wine vinegar found in the grocery aisle.
rice vinegar or rice wine vinegar
Can you use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Can you use chicken breasts or fillets instead of thighs?
Can you use breasts? I can only eat breasts.
Is that your idea of foreplay?… You shouldn’t be so rough with a woman!
Breasts don’t work as well due to the lack of fat, but I have a work around. Add some olive/veg oil to sub for the fat, pound the chicken thinner first, and reduce the cook cook time to 35. It came pretty close to thighs with this method, but there’s really no substitute for real fat.
Hi! I made this chicken tonight after looking in Pinterest for easy chicken thigh recipes. Wow! Awesome. Thank you when I was scrolling around I found a post on another website that looked really similar, and when I read it, it sounded like the author really plagiarized from your post here (even quoting your husband’s cute name for the recipe without citation). I didn’t quite know what to do so I thought I would leave it here and let you decide if a friendly reminder on blog posting etiquette was in order. And hey, maybe she already asked for permission and just forgot to cite! Anyhow, thanks again, it really was delicious.
http://rachelschultz.com/2012/07/11/worlds-best-chicken/
Thanks for the feedback and for the heads up!
Its from trader joe’s cookbook! Not plagiarized.
When I click on my Pinterest button to put it on my board for recipes, it copies the whole original post, under my name. I’ve had that before, citing a five year-old child. Since I have neither husband or young child (am a great-grandma!) I’m sure some of my friends might be rather startled.
I had no intention of plagiarizing the family reactions to the original poster’s meal, and could not figure out how to put it on my Pinterest board without the original remarks.
Hi there! This looks delicious and I’m in the process of making it now.. but have to ask if it’s plain or seasoned rice vinegar? Thanks for your help I hope someone sees this soon but otherwise I’ll just try the red wine rice vinegar! (I have all three and have never used them! lol!) R
Plain rice vinegar.
Thank you!!
What sides would pair well with this dish, flavor wise? Starch and veggies. Thanks
I would suggest white rice as a starch and broccoli as your veggie with this dish. Green beans would also pair nicely, if you don’t care for broccoli.
I made this dish today and my boys loved it!! They are picky eaters and they couldn’t get enough! Thank-you for sharing the recipe!
I made this tonight everyone loved it thank you for sharing your great recipe!!
Sounds easy & FAB! Can’t wait to make this tonight! Mmmmm
Would you be able to marinate chicken breasts in the mixture, then bake?
I never found an answer to Michelle’s question about marinating the chicken in it first.
There’s no reason why not. You could always make it up the night before and throw it in the oven when you get home from work.
oh I’m confused. This recipe shows up a lot on Pinterest with two versions…one with 1/4 cup mustard to 1/2 cup maple syrup and the other opposite with 1/2 cup mustard to 1/4 syrup. What to do now that I’ve mixed the first version? What would happen with equal ratios?
I’ve used equal ratios before when I haven’t had the right amount of one or the other on hand, still delicious! You shouldn’t notice too much of a difference in my opinion. Even when I have enough, I usually eyeball it anyway (I make this a lot, it’s so good)
I make this recipe ALL THE TIME. My father and fiancee always ask when we are going to have “anna’s special chicken”… I had to break it to them that this is not my own recipe! Sometimes I add a little basil (i grow ungodly amounts of it) and a little garlic (because, well.. I love garlic) but usually I just make it as-is! Thank you!
Can u grill this instead of baking it
I’m not professional, but I’m gonna say yes! I’ve made this recipe a zillion times and have grilled it on the BBQ several times. Still delicious, and when the maple syrup mixture carmelizes on the grill its crazy good!
I do and love it! Ether way it is great!
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Delish and even by hubby who doesn’t like maple syrup but loves this
Do you use real maple syrup or will the Log Cabin syrup serve the purpose here? TIA!
log cabin is not maple syrup – it’s high fructose corn syrup…two totally different things…
I’m not familiar with the flavors of dijon mustard and rice vinegar. Overall, what does the chicken taste like? Spicy? Sweet? It looks delicious.
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Holy shiznit this is some good chicken. Hubby went back for seconds. He rarely goes back for seconds when I cook so thank you for this recipe. I didn’t have any maple syrup so I used brown sugar equivalent and used bone in with skin thighs. I will definitely be making this again.
Hi.I have a couple of questions:
1. Can apple cider vinegar be used instead of rice wine?
2. Can chicken breast be used in place of thighs, if so, what is the cook time?
Thanks!
Gina
Just follow the recipe
Red wine vinegar works too
My chickens in the oven-20 minutes more to go and it smells
Fantastic!! I’ve got rice and green beans to go with.
Thanks so much for this great EASY recipe!!!
I made this dish…..absolutely scrumptious!! Tx so much for sharing this with us. My husband happily moaned & groaned thru the meal in ecstacy. This definitely a keeper. He’s already asking me to make again real soon. By the way, I followed the recipe exactly. You don’t need to tweak this one; delicious as is. This recipe website has MANY outstanding recipes. Again, tx so much.
I mean no disrespect as I’m know many love this dish, and I appreciate all the recipes people share and I’ve enjoyed! However, my husband and I do not really care for mustard, but I tried this recipe anyway since I kept seeing it pop up and there were several comments I read said that the dish doesn’t taste like mustard…. and that is absolutely not true. So if you do not like mustard, do not make this dish!
Oh my God people !!! This is not rocket science, it is only food and only a recipe. One of the main ingredients is mustard, therefore, if you don’t like mustard, don’t make this dish. Do not know how the blogger has patience for so many stupid questions and comments …..
How long should chicken be in the oven?? And also i will be using chicken breast with bone! Hope it’s ok!
I made this tonight for my wife and daughter. My 7-year old helped me with the marinade and did a great job flipping the thighs and “slathering” the sauce all around. Paired it with small red potatoes sprinkled with rosemary and margarine. Added some corn and it was a hit! Chicken fell apart.
I just made this recipe and didn’t have maple syrup. So I used pancake syrup and brownsugar. I also added some hoisen sauce. OMG, this recipe was amazing. I think next time I will add a tad bit of heat to the dish. I paired it with scalloped potato and stuffing and my husband was very very pleaaed. Although I used bone in thigh which I had to cook a tad bit longer but it was still yummy. I want to try the original dish next time. Thanks so much.
I make this pretty often. It’s become a staple recipe in our house. I use chicken breasts most of the time, and it seems to work just fine. I usually double the recipe and have chicken left over for chopping and eating with salads for the rest for the week. It tastes great on a spinach salad, with strawberries or dried cranberries.
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Has anyone tried it with bone-in chicken thighs.
Yes, I usually make it with bone-in thighs. Moist and delicious!
Made this tonight. It was good. My husband took a bite and said “I am pleased”. I was so happy. I might add more maple syrup for though! I love it. Great recipe!
Then name of this recipe– “man-pleasing chicken” is disgusting. Women don’t solely work to please the men in their lives.
Men can cook this recipe too!
Oh stop already!
There are plenty of studies that show that men and women taste differently, and to different degrees. So calling this dish “man pleasing” (perhaps dropping the hyphen?) is an appropriate designator.
Get over your agenda.
PS @ witty. This was Woman Pleasing. Even the leftovers were unbelievable. Thanks!
Get over yourself. It is just a name. Don’t eat it or read the post.
Thank you, anonymous! It’s stupid and disgusting.
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Is this dish spicy? Or can I use a less spicy mustard maybe? I’m trying to find a recipe to cook for a very good friend of mine who is coming over – she’s nursing and can’t eat anything spicy, or with garlic, onions, or dairy. So if anyone could help if really appreciate it! Thanks! 🙂
Can I skip the rice wine vinegar since I’m not even sure what it is?
Rice wine is found in the international aisle at the grocery store. Try not to leave it out cause it’s relish! Is it ok if i use dried rosemary?? I don’t have fresh.
That’s delish 🙂
Rice wine vinegar is rather mild in taste as opposed to plain white vinegar. Not sure apple cider vinegar or red wine viengar would some out the same
These are fabulous!! Can’t wait to make them again!
This chicken is ridiculous good! Omg! I used a high
Quality maple syrup so it’s not to sweet. I’m making this for a man on Monday! I know he’ll like it!
Try substituting Pomegranate molasses (available at middle eastern markets) for the Maple syrup and lemon juice for the Rice Vinegar. Amazing!
Interesting idea. I think I’ll give it a try!
For some reason 450 degrees was too high for my oven. Kept smoking & burning, I turned down to 350 and saved the dish. It is delicious!
Great meal, just finished clean up and no leftovers!
Made as directed but left out Rosemary, not a fan, still came out awesome!
Thanks for th recipe, will make again.
I bet you could make this ahead of time, leave in the fridge to marinate all day while at work, or even freeze it with the sauce over the chicken. I’m trying this ASAP!
You can. I do that all the time. Freezes beautifully.
Can you make this in a slow cooker?
Converting to a slow cooker is easy. If it takes about 40 minutes in the oven you would cook it on low for 4-6 hours or 1.5-2.5 hours on high. I would watch it closely though to make sure it doesn’t dry out or scorch in the cooker. Then you could throw it under the broiler to brown it and give it a good char.
Really good!
Love this recipe! Do you happen to know the serving size & calorie info for this dish? On a new year diet!
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Made this with 2 chicken breasts. It was DELISH! Paired it up with sauteed green beans/broccoli and quinoa. Husband gave it a thumbs up. Will definitely make again.
@Donna I calculated this to be 280 calories for 4 oz (1 breast). I am on a diet as well. LOL!
My husband didn’t think this recipe looked good but I made it anyways and he loved it. Using chicken thighs make it tastier than our usual chicken breast meals. Thanks.
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I don’t know what I did wrong but mines tasted like a hotdog
Do you use boneless chicken thighs or bone in