Description
Enjoy a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors with these Brown Sugar Dijon Chicken Thighs. Tender, juicy chicken thighs are marinated in a luscious blend of brown sugar, Dijon mustard, garlic, and herbs, then baked to crispy-skinned perfection. A simple, flavorful dish that’s easy to prepare and sure to please any crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 large chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
Marinade
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (dark or light)
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional, for extra tang)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot enough for perfectly cooked chicken with crispy skin.
- Prepare Marinade: In a mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, Dijon mustard, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, thyme, and apple cider vinegar if using. This creates a flavorful and slightly sweet glaze.
- Coat Chicken: Place chicken thighs in a baking dish or oven-safe skillet. Pour the marinade evenly over the chicken, coating each piece thoroughly. For best flavor, optionally marinate in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours.
- Bake Chicken: Put the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake the chicken for 25-30 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the skin turns golden brown.
- Rest Chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in moist, tender meat.
- Optional Broiling: For extra crispy skin, broil the chicken for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end of cooking. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for up to 2 hours enhances the flavor but is optional.
- Bone-in, skin-on thighs provide more flavor and juiciness than boneless, skinless.
- Use either light or dark brown sugar based on your sweetness preference.
- Apple cider vinegar adds tanginess but can be omitted if preferred.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure food safety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Brown Sugar Chicken, Dijon Mustard Chicken, Baked Chicken Thighs, Sweet and Tangy Chicken, Easy Chicken Recipe
