Description
This Brown Sugar Dijon Chicken Thighs recipe features juicy, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs coated in a sweet and tangy marinade made from brown sugar, Dijon mustard, garlic, and herbs. Baked until golden and tender with a crispy skin, this easy-to-make dish is perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner or meal prep.
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 reaches the perfect temperature for baking the chicken evenly and developing a crispy skin.
- Prepare Marinade: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, thyme, and apple cider vinegar if using, until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Coat Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a baking dish or oven-safe skillet. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. For deeper flavor, cover and marinate in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours.
- Bake Chicken: Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the skin becomes golden brown and crisp.
- Rest Chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute within the meat for a tender and juicy bite.
- Optional Crisping: For extra crispy skin, broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes after baking, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
- Serve: Serve the chicken thighs hot with your favorite sides such as roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- You can marinate the chicken overnight for an even more intense flavor.
- Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for the best texture and moisture retention.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste depending on your dietary needs.
- If you prefer, substitute fresh thyme for dried thyme by tripling the quantity.
- Apple cider vinegar is optional but adds a nice tangy contrast to the sweetness of the brown sugar.
- Check chicken internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure safety and perfect doneness.
- This recipe pairs well with steamed rice, quinoa, or a fresh salad.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with marinade
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: brown sugar chicken, Dijon mustard chicken, baked chicken thighs, easy chicken dinner, sweet and tangy chicken
