Description

This Yum Yum Chicken recipe features tender, boneless chicken thighs baked to perfection with a flavorful and tangy sauce made from Dijon mustard, pure maple syrup, and rice wine vinegar. Finished with a rosemary garnish and a thickened caramelized sauce, this easy oven-baked dish makes a delightful main course suitable for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce Ingredients

½ cup (125 g) Dijon mustard (preferably Grey Poupon)
¼ cup (59 ml) pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar (seasoned or unseasoned)
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Chicken

2 pounds (907 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs (most fat trimmed and discarded)

Thickening Agent

1 tablespoon cornstarch

Garnish

2 teaspoons fresh rosemary

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Line an 8×8-inch oven-proof pan with two layers of tin foil to make cleanup easier and to prevent the chicken from sticking.
Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, pure maple syrup, rice wine vinegar, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and fully combined. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning to your preference as needed.
Coat the Chicken: Place the trimmed chicken thighs in the prepared pan. Pour the sauce over the chicken and turn the thighs to coat them evenly on all sides with the sauce.
Bake the Chicken: Bake the chicken uncovered in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelize and the chicken to cook thoroughly.
Rest and Transfer: Remove the pan from the oven and let the chicken rest in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, transfer the cooked chicken thighs to a serving plate but keep the liquid in the pan.
Thicken the Sauce: While the liquid in the pan is still hot, whisk in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken the sauce. If the sauce remains too thin, add a little more cornstarch gradually until the desired thickness is achieved.
Garnish and Serve: Drizzle the thickened sauce over the chicken and finish by sprinkling fresh rosemary over the top before serving.

Notes

Use seasoned or unseasoned rice wine vinegar based on how tangy you prefer the sauce; seasoned vinegar may be milder, so adjust to taste.
For an extra caramelized flavor, you can broil the chicken for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
To make cleanup easier, lining the baking pan with foil is recommended.
Ensure chicken thighs are trimmed of excess fat to reduce greasiness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American