Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (4-6 ounces each)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Glaze and Sauce
- ⅓ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme (divided)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon stone-ground mustard
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F to prepare for finishing the chicken in the oven.
- Heat Skillet: Place a large, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat on the stovetop to get it hot for searing.
- Add Oil: Pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the hot skillet, coating the bottom to prevent sticking and enhance browning.
- Season Chicken: Season each chicken breast evenly with ¼ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Sear Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust.
- Remove Chicken: Take the chicken out of the skillet and set aside, leaving the browned bits in the pan for flavor.
- Prepare Sauce Base: Add ⅓ cup low-sodium chicken broth, ⅓ cup pure maple syrup, half of the thyme (1 teaspoon), and minced garlic to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil while scraping the bottom to loosen browned bits for rich flavor.
- Simmer Sauce: Cook the sauce mixture for 2 minutes, stirring frequently to blend flavors and reduce slightly.
- Add Vinegar and Mustard: Stir in 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon each of cider vinegar and stone-ground mustard, cooking for 1 minute while stirring constantly to combine.
- Return Chicken to Pan: Place the chicken breasts back into the skillet along with any juices accumulated on the plate. Spoon the sauce over the chicken to coat evenly.
- Bake Chicken: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F, ensuring it is fully cooked and juicy.
- Remove Chicken: Take the skillet out of the oven and remove the chicken breasts, placing them on a serving dish.
- Thicken Sauce: Return the skillet to medium heat on the stovetop. Cook the sauce for about 2 minutes, watching carefully, until it thickens into a syrupy glaze.
- Serve: Pour the thickened sauce over the chicken breasts and sprinkle with the remaining 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme just before serving for a fresh herbal finish.
Notes
- Ensure the skillet used is ovenproof to safely transfer from stovetop to oven.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the chicken reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- The sauce thickens quickly in the last step; watch closely to avoid burning.
- Fresh thyme adds bright flavor; if unavailable, dried thyme may be used at half the quantity.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially if using regular chicken broth instead of low-sodium.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American