Maple-Glazed Chicken with Sweet Potatoes Recipe
This Maple-Glazed Chicken with Sweet Potatoes offers a delightful balance of savory and sweet flavors. Tender chicken breasts are baked alongside caramelized sweet potatoes, all coated in a luscious maple syrup glaze enhanced with garlic, thyme, and apple cider vinegar. Finished with a touch of butter and crunchy pecans, this dish is perfect for a comforting yet elegant weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme)
Vegetables and Garnish
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper until well combined to form a flavorful glaze.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish and pour half of the maple glaze over them, turning to coat evenly. Let them marinate for at least 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get it ready for baking.
- Prepare the sweet potatoes: In a large bowl, toss the cubed sweet potatoes with the remaining half of the maple glaze, ensuring each piece is well coated for maximum sweetness and caramelization.
- Arrange on baking sheet: Spread the sweet potatoes evenly on one side of a large baking sheet. Place the marinated chicken breasts on the other side, leaving space so both cook evenly.
- Bake the dish: Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the sweet potatoes are tender and slightly caramelized.
- Add butter and pecans: In the last 5 minutes of baking, dot the sweet potatoes with butter and sprinkle chopped pecans over them to toast and add crunch.
- Serve and garnish: Remove from oven, let rest for a few minutes, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving the maple-glazed chicken alongside the sweet potatoes.
Notes
- If you prefer, swap pecans for walnuts or omit nuts for a nut-free version.
- Marinating chicken for longer (up to 2 hours) enhances flavor but is not necessary.
- Use fresh thyme if available for more vibrant flavor, dried thyme works well too.
- Ensure even size cubed sweet potatoes for uniform cooking.
- Check chicken temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee food safety.