Description
Succulent maple ginger chicken traybake merges sweet and savory flavors with roasted fennel for a delightful dinner experience. Crisp, caramelized edges and aromatic spices promise a memorable meal that delights your palate.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 chicken thighs, skin on
Vegetables:
- 1 fennel bulb, sliced
- 1 red onion, sliced
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) Dijon mustard
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh thyme (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a large baking tray to prevent sticking.
- Create a vibrant maple ginger glaze by whisking maple syrup, freshly grated ginger, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and olive oil until smoothly combined.
- Distribute chicken thighs across the prepared tray, surrounding them with thinly sliced fennel and red onion wedges for maximum flavor infusion.
- Generously drizzle the maple ginger glaze over the chicken and vegetables, carefully massaging the mixture to ensure comprehensive coating.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, periodically basting the chicken to maintain moisture and enhance caramelization.
- Check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F to confirm thorough cooking, noting the golden-brown exterior and glistening surface.
- Remove from oven and allow a brief 5-minute resting period to redistribute juices and intensify flavors.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped thyme leaves over the dish for a fragrant, herbaceous finishing touch before serving.
Notes
- Swap chicken thighs with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version that maintains the delicious maple ginger flavor profile.
- Toast fennel seeds before adding to enhance their nutty, licorice-like aroma and add deeper complexity to the dish.
- Use honey as a maple syrup alternative for those with dietary restrictions or limited pantry ingredients.
- Marinate chicken for 2-3 hours beforehand to intensify the maple ginger glaze penetration and tenderize the meat for extra juiciness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg