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

Question: does rice/rice vinegar – 1 tablespoon – does it mean one tablespoon EACH of rice AND rice vinegar? Makes no sense to me. Thank you!
Rice/rice wine vinegar means either use one tablespoon of rice vinegar or one tablespoon of rice wine vinegar.
Some packaging says rice vinegar and some packaging says rice wine vinegar. Same thing
I understand it as rice vinegar OR rice wine vinegar. Both work.
Whats the nutritional values? IE: fat, protein, carbs?
What can I substitute the maple syrup for? Not readily available in South Africa, just an artificial maple flavoured syrup
You can substitute honey for the maple syrup. That’s what we do, and it tastes really good. (We use raw honey.)
How long do u marinade the chicken for?
No marinating required.
What do you make with it. For a side it
Wild or brown rice and steamed broccoli or asparagus goes great. I use honey instead of syrup
We make mashed potatoes, we double the recipe (except chicken) just the sauce and put it over the potatoes. So good.
News flash: It is NOT 1950. What a horrendous name for a recipe.
Grow up
Obviously it’s not 1950, or you wouldn’t be so offended. \Maybe lesbian feminist liberal pleasing chicken would be better?
Silly people. Thanks for the laugh.
Just eat the damn chicken.
Sarah….perfect response!
Hahahahahahahahahaha!!! Best response ever. I’m dying!!!
Love that reply!!
que gostoso
People are so sensitive it’s pc gone mad !!! What’s wrong with wanting to please your man rename the bloody thing yourself if it’s not to your approval… so petty
Amen, rename it. Don’t have complain about it. Put up your tidy whites!
I have also used Horseradish mustard and a blue chees mustard. Both very good!
That was a great response. I didn’t use as much Dijon and I used more maple syrup. It turned out great. My hubby loved it.
I always want to please my man! Trying this recipe out tonight with some egg noodles. Stay tuned!
I love pleasing my man! Your response was awesome! Still laughing
Okay Okay Your response was so so funny! The name of the dish caught my eye and reading this response made me laugh so hard! I am trying this dish tonight thx guys!
Eat the damn chicken I, too, love this reply!
Amen, sister!
I’m with you on that one Sarah
Agreed!! Thanks Sarah, perfect response!
^Exactly!!! :-))
That’s how you keep a man.
Geez, chill!
Lighten up
Agreed. Let’s try to just enjoy the chicken and please ourselves with it? Or spouses? Or parents? Or citizens? How about Humanity pleasing chicken?
I thought the recipe looked great based on other reviews.
I made it for my husbands birthday unfortunately he didn’t like it, my son smothered it with hot sauce but didn’t eat much. I liked it a lot but I guess I won’t be making it again
looks gooxd.
This looks really good! Do you think it could be easily adapted to a crock pot-dish?
Can I just use regular vinegar? Thanks!
I made this in the crockpot. Super simple. Put the chicken in the crockpot salt and peppered them on both sides. Whisked the other ingredients together and poured over the top. Set the crockpot for 6 hours on low. Came out great. Trying this re wipe tonight but coming them in my traegar smoker. Can’t wait to eat tonight.
Sport for the typos. Cooking and posting at the same time. I meant I am trying this recipe on my traegar smoker tonight. Thanks.
I made this tonight. My husband said he liked it but we will see. I have a chicken left, we will see if it gets eaten or trashed?
I made it tonight for myself and daughter. Both of us did not like it because there was way too much Dijon mustard. A half cup is a lot and the mustard taste overwhelmed any other flavor. Won’t make it again.
I personally think the ingredients are wrong. 1/4c mustard and 1/2c syrup maybe?..
I agree. As I was mixing the two I felt the mustard was way too much so I used about 1/4 mustard and more of the maple syrup. You really need to taste as you mix to your own taste. When done, it is really delicious.
Made this tonight and it was fabulous! Both husband and I loved it. I used slightly less than 1/2 cup mustard but everything else as written. Will definitely make again with mashed potatoes to sop up the lovely sauce.
Can you make this in a crockpot?
I made this and it came out great. Can’t wait to have my friends try it
Does the recipe change with bone-in thighs?
Cook longer!
What is the oven temp?
450° For 40 minutes
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Unfortunately this recipe does not please my man, but it pleases me and he’s out of town tonight so I’m making it!
Love it! That’s what I do when my hubby is out of town; we have a seafood extravaganza!
I do love this picture. Don’t have rice/rice wine vinegar.
I tried this recipe because I love the tenderness of chicken thighs. And I love sweet and sour sauces. It was good however I did have to add more maple syrup. I found the sauce was too tart (maybe too much rice vinegar). I will try it again but will increase the maple syrup by 3 Tablespoons.
HUGE HIT with the ENTIRE FAMILY! I love this recipe and so do the kids. It’s easy and I use this camping too!
Love it! the only problem is mine is not coming out brown like the one in the picture.Mine has alottt of liquid in the pan and it’s mostly boiling lol.Should I increase the temp or cook alot longer?
Yes , mine too! My men LOVE THIS! Maybe put under broiler to brown when down?
Some of the liquid in the pan is likely due to the amount of moisture in the chicken. If you look at the package it will often say “contains up to 1.5% water” or something along that lines. The higher quality chicken you get the less likely this is to happen. Also, patting the chicken dry before putting it in the pan helps. I’m also wondering if the brand of dijon mustard would make a difference… But like the other person said, I would try broiling it or dumping the sauce into a saucepan after cooking and reducing it a bit to thicken it and pour it back on the chicken.
I think the Chicken has water in it. Try using better quality chicken.
Try saving some of the sauce that the chicken hasn’t been in and pour it on top when you Serve it.
I was feeling so uninspired and just needed to make something for my boyfriends lunch. Lo and behold, MAN PLEASING CHICKEN!!! That’s all I ever needed! Thanks for the title that made my day easier! <3
I have used this recipe dozens of times since pinning it in ‘14. My husband doesn’t like anything mustard based but begs me to make this. Over the years I have switched to using local honey, but I have also used agave in a pinch. I’ve even screwed it up by using way too much rice vinegar and it still turned out great. No one knew but me. Thank you for this recipe! It gives me an excuse to use my rosemary bushes for something other than being pretty and baking breads or cookies. It’s definitely a keeper.
Haha. You call it ‘manpleasing’. I liked it way better than my husband….who eats whatever I cook with appreciation but rare enthusiasm…
I make this often for me!
Haha!
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I made this with boneless pork chops!!!! My man definitely loved it!
I’m going to make this again tonight for dinner, I couldn’t remember which recipe I liked so I googled “man pleasing chicken just eat the damn chicken”. So glad most appreciated the sense of humor and commented because boy am I having a Monday! <3
i love it
Do you cover the chicken up with foil before putting it in the oven ?
No
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I don’t have any rice vinegar can I use anything else like balsamic or just skip it?
I would use white Vinegar, If you don’t have rice vinegar.
your recipe caught my eye because of the unusual ingredients snd I plan to try it. Both my husband and I found your responses spot-on and hilarious.!! Such fun!! thank you!!
I used Dijon and a very grainy brown mustard mixed together and it was delish!
I liked the looks of the finished dish so thought I would check out the comments.
Thanks for the laugh. Some strange comments.
I will try the recipe
awesome not even a master cheff can do that
Made this with wine grain Dijon and honey. Broiled chicken last 5 minutes. Served with brown rice, peas, crusty bread and paired with a nice Chardonnay. Yummy!
Made it and sadly no man in my home was pleased! I liked it they did not! Both made other meals.
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Can you use breasts instead? We are only white meat fans
Very good even my mom liked it
Absolutely delicious! My father-in-law likes everything plain, and he gave this chicken a thumbs up!