Crispy Brown Sugar Mustard Chicken (Printable Version)

Brown sugar and mustard coat crispy chicken thighs for savory sweetness in a quick, easy main dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

→ Oils

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Sugars

03 - 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

→ Condiments

04 - 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
05 - 2 tbsp whole-grain mustard (optional, for extra texture)
06 - 1 tbsp soy sauce

→ Aromatics

07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Spices

08 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

→ Garnish

12 - Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Rub olive oil all over the chicken thighs, and season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, Dijon mustard, whole-grain mustard (if using), soy sauce, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using) until smooth.
04 - Place the chicken thighs skin-side up on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the brown sugar mustard glaze generously over the top of each chicken thigh, reserving some glaze for later basting.
05 - Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
06 - During the last 5-10 minutes of cooking, baste the chicken with the reserved glaze to enhance the caramelization and flavor.
07 - Once done, remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Uses everyday pantry staples you likely have on hand
  • No marinating or fancy equipment required
  • Reserved glaze basted at the end gives irresistible sticky finish
  • Crowd-pleaser that kids and adults both enjoy
  • Works with chicken drumsticks too for added flexibility
02 -
  • High protein and satisfying for hungry families
  • Easily adaptable for meal prep or next day lunches
  • Pairs beautifully with almost any side
03 -
  • Dry the chicken thoroughly before baking for the crispiest skin every time
  • Always save some glaze for the finishing basting step to get maximum caramelization
  • Use an instant read thermometer to ensure your chicken is perfectly cooked and juicy

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