Gluten Free Baked Maple Chicken Thighs

Gluten Free Baked Maple Chicken Thighs begins with seared bone in chicken thighs, apples, onions and butternut squash that is tossed together with maple syrup, fresh thyme and olive oil. This is a one pot recipe. It’s a healthy Fall and Winter recipe for dinner any night of the week.

I love coming up with new ways to make chicken. I am definitely more a fan of chicken breast than chicken thighs. However, every now and then I do love a good and crispy baked chicken thigh recipe.

During the busy work week, I don’t mind a meal that takes a little time to cook as long as the prep is easy. While this is in the oven, I can work on other things I need to do around the house.

Celebrate the taste of Fall with this easy gluten free baked maple chicken thighs recipe. Wholesome ingredients are used. To enhance the flavor, real maple syrup is used.

As the dish is baking in the oven, fresh thyme adds an earthiness taste to the ingredients. The final results are tender chicken thighs with all the tastes of Fall in every single bite.

The next time you’re craving a delicious savory chicken supper, I promise that this one-skillet recipe will satisfy everyone’s taste buds. You might just want to make a double batch so that you do have left overs. It’s that good.

BENEFITS OF SEARING CHICKEN BEFORE BAKING-

Browning or searing chicken is often used to help improve the flavor of the chicken before it’s baked. The secret to ensuring your chicken doesn’t turn out overdone is to sear it in a pan on medium-high heat, then finish cooking it in the oven. Just make sure you are using a good quality cast iron pan like this one.

WHY BONE IN CHICKEN THIGHS?

Bone in chicken thighs have a high fat content which keeps them moist and nice and juicy. While you can remove the skin, I love the crispy texture it provides.

APPLES ADD A SWEETNESS TO THIS REICPE

I have just recently started adding apples to savory dishes, and I can tell you all I am impressed with how much I like it. It really does add a wonderfully natural sweetness without being over the top.

I made this recipe after I went apple picking at my favorite orchard. It was such a lovely day and I filled my apple bag the top. Of course that meant all things apple. I started baking and creating new recipes.

For starters, there is my Gluten Free Apple Crisp with Caramel Sauce recipe, my Gluten Free Apple Bread recipe and my Gluten Free Kale Salad with Apple Cider Dressing. Are you noticing a theme? I love apples, desserts and salads.

HOW TO TELL IF YOUR CHICKEN IS SAFE TO EAT OR HAS GONE BAD AND OTHER HELPFUL TIPS

1. Fresh raw chicken should have a pink, fleshy color. If it starts to go baad, the color starts fading to a shade of grey.
2. Trust your nose- if you notice the chicken has a potent odor then discard. It tends to be a sour smell. If you notice any odd smell- toss it. No one wants food poisoning.
3. Do not use the same cutting board for everything. I also do not recommend using a wooden cutting board for meat. It is hard to clean and difficult to get all the leftover bacteria out . In my kitchen, I have a cutting board for meats and seafood, and one for veggies and fruits. Make sure you disinfect your cutting boards after each use. To clean your cutting board-clean it in hot soapy water then disinfect with bleach and rinse with clean water. I then throw mine in the dishwasher. Do not put a wooden cutting board in the dishwasher.
4. Opt for organic, free-range chicken whenever possible. Factory farmed frozen chicken usually means your chicken will be dry and won’t have as much flavor as fresh chicken would.
5. I cannot stress this enough- do not rinse your chicken ever! Why? Rinsing chicken means that contamination is likely to occur. Washing chicken spreads harmful bacteria all over your sink and countertops.

TIPS FOR MAKING GLUTEN FREE BAKED MAPLE CHICKEN THIGHS

• For starters, bone in chicken thighs have a lot more flavor than chicken breasts. You can definitely substitute chicken breasts. The cooking time would be about 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165. The chicken breasts will definitely not be as moist so keep that in mind.
• Fresh herbs make a huge difference. Thyme was used and it really does to bring out all the lovely flavors in this dish.
• Do not skip browning the chicken skin. It adds so much flavor and makes the skin nice and crispy which I love.
• If you do not have a cast iron skillet, you can use and oven set skillet or transfer after searing into an oven safe baking dish.

WHY SHOULD YOU COOK WITH CAST IRON COOKWARE?

When cooking with cast iron, you will avoid chemicals and use less oil. Many of the non stick pans these days can be loaded with toxins and can break down at high temperatures.

Cast iron also cooks evenly which is added bonus. You can also fry with cast iron. Cast iron also has the ability to evenly retain heat.

If your cast iron pan is seasoned well, it creates a natural nonstick coating. Cast iron also cleans up very easily, and can last years and even decades with proper care.

WHAT TOOLS ARE NEEDED FOR THIS RECIPE

I highly recommend cooking with cast iron. It is so nice having a pan that can start out on the stove top and finish in the oven. Having a good knife really does come in handy for dicing, and chopping fruits and vegetables. If you do not have a cast iron pan, using a good quality oven safe dish is definitely worth investing in.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED

• 4 Bone in Chicken Thighs with the skin on
• 22 Ounces of Butternut Squash cut into cubes
• 2 Macoon or Honey Crisp Apples sliced into chunks
• 1 Large Onion sliced into cubes
• Salt and Pepper well to taste
• 4 Sprigs of Fresh Thyme
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1/4 Cup Real Maple Syrup

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN FREE BAKED MAPLE CHICKEN THIGHS

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Chop the butternut squash, onions and apples. Try to chop the vegetables into even sized pieces for even cooking. Set aside.
• Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat on the stove top for a couple minutes. You want the pan nice and hot.
• Add about 1 tablespoon of good quality extra virgin olive oil to the hot skillet, and place chicken thighs skin side down, for about 3-4 minutes to make the skin nice and crispy. If you notice that the chicken skin is sticking, it is probably not ready to be flipped over.
• To a medium sized bowl, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt and pepper and the maple syrup to the apples, onions and butternut squash and toss together.
• Flip the chicken thighs skin side up and arrange the fruit and veggies around the chicken thighs.
• Using 4 sprigs of fresh thyme, sprinkle over the top.
• Bake in the oven for 45-60 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F.
• Serve and enjoy.

Gluten Free Baked Maple Chicken Thighs

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 4 reviews

Gluten Free Baked Maple Chicken Thighs begins with seared bone in chicken thighs, apples, onions and butternut squash that is tossed together with maple syrup, fresh thyme and olive oil. This is a one pot recipe. It’s a healthy Fall and Winter recipe for dinner any night of the week.

• Author: Allie
• Prep Time: 15 Minutes
• Cook Time: 45 Minutes
• Total Time: 60 Minutes
• Yield: 4 1x
• Category: Dinner, Main Dishes
• Method: Bake
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 Bone in Chicken Thighs with the skin on
• 22 Ounces of Butternut squash cut into cubes
• 2 Macoon or Honey crisp apples sliced into chunks
• 1 Large Onion sliced into cubes
• Salt and Pepper well to taste
• 4 Sprigs of Fresh Thyme
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1/4 Cup Real Maple Syrup

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Chop the butternut squash, onions and apples. Try to chop the vegetables into even sized pieces for even cooking. Set aside.
• Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat on the stove top for a couple minutes. You want the pan nice and hot.
• Add about 1 tablespoon of good quality extra virgin olive oil to the hot skillet, and place chicken thighs skin side down, for about 3-4 minutes to make the skin nice and crispy. If you notice that the chicken skin is sticking, it is probably not ready to be flipped over.
• To a medium sized bowl, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt and pepper and the maple syrup to the apples, onions and butternut squash and toss together.
• Flip the chicken thighs skin side up and arrange the fruit and veggies around the chicken thighs.
• Using 4 sprigs of fresh thyme, sprinkle over the top.
• Bake in the oven for 40- 50 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F.
• Serve and enjoy.

Notes

• Make sure you use real maple syrup.
• This can take anywhere from 40-50 minutes.  Start checking at 40 minutes and as long as your thermometer reads the internal temp of 165 degrees F you’re good to remove from the oven.

Keywords: Gluten Free Baked Maple Chicken Thighs, Fall Recipes, Baked Chicken Dinner, One Pot Recipe, Butternut Squash, Maple Syrup Recipes

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