Quick Maple Chicken with Sweet Potatoes & Apples Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this maple roasted chicken with sweet potatoes and apples strikes the perfect balance between comfort and elegance.

Golden-brown chicken captures the essence of autumn’s warmth, nestled alongside caramelized sweet potatoes and tender apple slices.

The maple glaze infuses each bite with a rich, sweet complexity that elevates this one-pan meal from ordinary to extraordinary.

Fragrant herbs and a touch of seasoning create layers of flavor that dance across your palate.

Simple ingredients come together to create a dish that feels both rustic and refined.

This recipe promises a delightful culinary experience that transforms an everyday meal into a memorable celebration of seasonal ingredients.

You’ll want to savor every delicious forkful of this comforting, soul-warming dish.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 60 minutes

Total Time: 75 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients in Maple Roasted Chicken With Sweet Potatoes and Apples

• Chicken Thighs: Rich, juicy cut that brings deep flavor and stays moist during roasting, choose bone-in and skin-on for maximum taste and crispy exterior.

• Sweet Potatoes, Onions, Apples: Seasonal vegetables and fruit that create a harmonious blend of sweet and savory, select firm and vibrant produce without bruises or soft spots.

• Olive Oil: Helps create golden crispy texture and prevents sticking, use extra virgin for best flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that balance and elevate the dish's overall taste profile.
• Maple Syrup: Adds natural sweetness and beautiful caramelization, opt for pure maple syrup instead of artificial alternatives.
• Fresh Thyme: Aromatic herb that brings earthy undertones, choose bright green leaves with strong fragrance.

Kitchen Items for Roasting Maple Chicken

• Cast iron skillet: Heavy-duty pan perfect for searing chicken and roasting in the oven.
• Mixing bowl: Essential for tossing vegetables and creating the maple oil mixture.
• Chef's knife: Sharp blade for dicing sweet potatoes, onions, and apples quickly.
• Cutting board: Stable surface for chopping ingredients safely.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helpful for stirring and moving ingredients in the skillet.
• Meat thermometer: Ensures chicken reaches safe internal temperature of 165°F.

How to Roast Chicken with Apples and Sweet Potatoes

• Skillet Preparation

Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add a splash of olive oil to create a sizzling surface for the chicken.

• Chicken Searing

Place chicken thighs skin-side down, allowing them to develop a golden, crispy exterior that locks in delicious flavors.

• Vegetable and Fruit Medley

Chop sweet potatoes, onions, and apples into rustic chunks, creating a colorful and hearty base for the roasted dish.

• Flavor Infusion

Whisk olive oil with maple syrup, salt, and pepper to create a sweet and savory coating that will elevate the ingredients.

• Oven Roasting

Arrange the chicken and vegetable mixture in the skillet, sprinkle with fresh thyme, and transfer to a preheated 400°F oven for a transformative cooking experience.

• Perfecting the Dish

Roast for approximately one hour until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature and the vegetables become tender and caramelized.

• Serving

Let the dish rest briefly, allowing the flavors to meld and settle before presenting this rustic, comforting meal.

Flavor Tips for Maple Chicken Roasts

• Replace chicken thighs with chicken breasts, drumsticks, or even pork tenderloin for a delightful twist on the original recipe.
• Sprinkle smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or dried rosemary to add depth and complexity to the maple glaze and enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Substitute chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, ensuring you press and marinate the protein before roasting to achieve maximum flavor absorption.
• Shred remaining chicken and use in salads, sandwiches, or grain bowls for quick and delicious next-day meals that maximize your cooking efforts.
• Add chopped Brussels sprouts or carrots alongside sweet potatoes to increase vegetable variety and nutritional value without compromising the recipe's delicious balance.

Serve Maple Chicken with Color and Warmth

• Cozy Family Dinner Centerpiece: Place the skillet directly on the table for a rustic, warm presentation that invites everyone to gather and enjoy the meal together.
• Elegant Plating Style: Carefully arrange the chicken thighs on a white plate, surround with the caramelized sweet potatoes and apples, and garnish with fresh thyme sprigs for a restaurant-quality look.
• Perfect Pairing Companions: Serve alongside a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette or creamy mashed cauliflower to balance the rich, sweet flavors of the maple-roasted chicken.
• Wine and Beverage Match: Complement the dish with a medium-bodied white wine like Chardonnay or a light Pinot Noir, or opt for a sparkling apple cider to enhance the apple notes in the recipe.

Store Maple Roasted Chicken Dishes Properly

• Refrigerator Storage Solutions: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the chicken and vegetables are completely cooled before sealing to maintain optimal freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezer Friendly Strategy: Portion the meal into individual containers and freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently in the oven to maintain the crispy chicken skin and vegetable texture.
• Meal Prep Magic: Chop sweet potatoes, onions, and apples in advance and store in sealed containers. Prepare the chicken marinade separately to streamline cooking process and save time during busy weekdays.
• Reheating Wisdom: Warm the dish in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with aluminum foil to prevent excessive drying. Add a small splash of chicken broth or water to help retain moisture and restore the original delicious flavors.

Succulent Maple Roasted Chicken With Sweet Potatoes And Apples

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 75 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Maple roasted chicken with sweet potatoes and apples combines savory Canadian flavors into one delightful sheet pan meal. Crisp apples, caramelized sweet potatoes, and tender chicken create a comforting dinner that welcomes you home with warmth and deliciousness.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 bone-in chicken thighs
• 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 0.5 in (1.27 cm) chunks
• 1 onion, cut into wedges
• 1 apple, diced
• 3 tbsps (45 mL) maple syrup
• 2 tbsps (30 mL) olive oil
• 1 tbsp (3 g) fresh thyme
• 1 tsp (5 g) salt
• 0.25 tsp (1.25 g) black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high stovetop temperature.
2. Searing Chicken: Drizzle olive oil in skillet, place chicken thighs skin-side down to develop a golden, crispy exterior, cooking until skin turns rich brown.
3. Vegetable Preparation: Dice sweet potatoes, onions, and apples into consistent, bite-sized cubes, ensuring uniform cooking and aesthetic presentation.
4. Marinade Creation: Whisk olive oil, salt, pepper, and maple syrup in a mixing bowl, creating a glossy, flavorful coating for vegetables.
5. Vegetable Coating: Thoroughly toss chopped vegetables in the aromatic marinade, ensuring complete and even coverage.
6. Skillet Assembly: Flip chicken thighs to reveal crisp skin, then artfully distribute seasoned vegetables around the meat in the skillet.
7. Herb Infusion: Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves across the dish, imparting a fragrant, herbaceous essence.
8. Roasting Process: Transfer skillet to preheated oven, allowing ingredients to roast and harmonize for approximately one hour, developing deep, complex flavors.
9. Final Check: Confirm chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and vegetables achieve a tender, easily pierced consistency.
10. Resting and Serving: Allow dish to rest briefly, enabling flavors to meld and juices to redistribute before presenting a beautifully roasted meal.

Notes

• Skin Perfection: Achieve a crispy, golden-brown chicken skin by starting with a hot skillet and searing skin-side down before roasting.
• Vegetable Uniformity: Cut sweet potatoes, onions, and apples into similar-sized cubes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
• Marinade Magic: Whisk maple syrup, olive oil, salt, and pepper thoroughly to create a balanced glaze that caramelizes beautifully during roasting.
• Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) for safe, juicy results without overcooking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg