If you are craving a dish that perfectly balances sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, the Holy Yum Chicken Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. This dish brings together tender, juicy chicken thighs with a glossy, flavorful sauce made from Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and a touch of soy sauce, creating a tantalizing glaze that will have your taste buds singing. It’s simple to prepare yet impressively satisfying, making it ideal for both weeknight dinners and casual gatherings with friends and family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Holy Yum Chicken Recipe uses straightforward ingredients that complement each other beautifully, lending complexity without complication. Each one plays an important role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and aroma.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: These provide juicy meat that holds up well to baking and soaks up the sauce wonderfully.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing the natural flavor of the chicken.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a tangy, slightly sharp sharpness that livens up the sauce.
- Pure maple syrup: Brings natural sweetness and a beautiful caramelized finish to the glaze.
- Rice wine vinegar: Offers a gentle acidity to balance the sweetness and deepen the flavor profile.
- Soy sauce: Provides umami and saltiness, rounding out the sauce perfectly.
- Cornstarch mixed with water (optional): Helps thicken the sauce if you prefer a richer coating.
How to Make Holy Yum Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 450°F (230°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with aluminum foil to make cleanup a breeze and ensure even cooking for the chicken thighs.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Sauce
In a small bowl, combine Dijon mustard, pure maple syrup, rice wine vinegar, and soy sauce. Whisk these together until smooth and well blended because this magic sauce is what makes the Holy Yum Chicken Recipe truly unforgettable.
Step 3: Season the Chicken
Give those chicken thighs a good sprinkle of salt and pepper on both sides. Proper seasoning at this stage lays the groundwork for well-balanced flavors in every bite.
Step 4: Arrange and Coat Chicken
Place the seasoned chicken thighs in a single layer in your prepared baking dish. Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken, making sure each piece gets a generous coating that will caramelize beautifully during baking.
Step 5: Bake Until Perfect
Bake the chicken for 40 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 165°F (74°C). This ensures the chicken is cooked through yet tender and juicy, with that irresistible glaze thickening as it bakes.
Step 6: Optional Sauce Thickening
If you like a thicker sauce, remove the chicken once done, mix the cornstarch with water, and stir it into the baking dish’s sauce over heat until it thickens. Then either toss the chicken back in or pour the luscious sauce on top before serving.
How to Serve Holy Yum Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like chopped parsley or thyme add a lovely freshness and pop of color. A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds also pairs well, providing a subtle crunch and a hint of nuttiness that complements the glaze.
Side Dishes
This chicken shines alongside a simple side of steamed jasmine rice or fluffy mashed potatoes, which soak up the flavorful sauce perfectly. Roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad can also offer delightful contrast in texture and brightness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve this chicken sliced over a bed of sautéed greens or inside soft pita pockets with crunchy slaw. You can even use it as a protein-packed topping for grain bowls to amp up your lunch game. The possibilities are endless with Holy Yum Chicken Recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Allow any leftover chicken to cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce will continue to flavor the chicken even while chilled, making leftovers equally delicious.
Freezing
This dish freezes quite well. Place portions in freezer-friendly containers or bags, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to maintain that signature tenderness and glaze.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a covered skillet over low heat or in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through. You can also use the microwave but cover the chicken to keep it moist and avoid drying out the glaze.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely, but keep in mind that chicken breasts cook faster and can dry out if overcooked. Watch the cooking time closely and consider lowering the oven temperature slightly to keep the meat tender.
Is the sauce spicy?
No, this Holy Yum Chicken Recipe has a sweet and tangy flavor profile with no heat. However, you can easily add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes if you want to give it a bit of a kick.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, simply swap the soy sauce for a gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos to keep it gluten-free without compromising flavor.
What can I do if I don’t have maple syrup?
You can substitute honey or agave nectar in the same quantity. While the flavor won’t be identical, these options still provide that lovely sweetness that balances the tangy mustard.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Definitely! The Holy Yum Chicken Recipe reheats beautifully, making it ideal for packing lunches or preparing dinner ahead of time. It holds flavor and texture impressively well.
Final Thoughts
You really can’t go wrong with the Holy Yum Chicken Recipe—it’s simple, flavorful, and utterly delightful. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, this dish brings warmth and joy to the table with every bite. So go ahead, give it a try, and enjoy a new favorite chicken recipe that you’ll want to make again and again.
Print
Holy Yum Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Holy Yum Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make baked chicken dish featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken thighs coated in a tangy and sweet sauce made from Dijon mustard, pure maple syrup, rice wine vinegar, and soy sauce. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a comforting weekend meal, offering a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with aluminum foil to ensure easy cleanup.
- Make Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, pure maple syrup, rice wine vinegar, and soy sauce until the mixture is smooth and well combined to create a tangy and sweet sauce.
- Prepare Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Arrange them in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, ensuring even cooking.
- Coat Chicken: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken thighs, making sure each piece is well coated with the flavorful mixture.
- Bake Chicken: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring the chicken is fully cooked and juicy.
- Thicken Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the chicken from the baking dish. Transfer the sauce to a small pan and heat it on the stovetop while stirring in the cornstarch and water mixture until the sauce thickens.
- Serve: Return the chicken to the thickened sauce or pour the sauce over the chicken. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired, for an extra layer of flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- The cornstarch mixture is optional but recommended if you like a thicker sauce.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme make a great garnish to enhance freshness.
- You can substitute maple syrup with honey for a slightly different sweetness.
- Using boneless, skinless chicken thighs keeps the meat tender and juicy during baking.
