There’s just something magical about a dinner that’s both delightfully simple and bursting with flavor – and that’s exactly what you get with these Easy Maple Glazed Chicken Breasts. Each bite is a perfect balance of juicy chicken, warm maple sweetness, and a hint of tangy lemon, finished with a glossy, golden glaze that glistens on your plate. This recipe is one of those treasures you’ll turn to again and again when you want a quick meal that’s reliably delicious yet impressive enough to serve to friends and family.

Easy Maple Glazed Chicken Breasts Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You won’t believe how just a handful of everyday ingredients can come together to create such a memorable meal. Each component here is there for good reason, building layers of savory goodness, a luscious glaze, and a fragrant finish.

Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are lean, easy to cook, and soak up all that gorgeous maple glaze.
Chicken broth: Adds depth and keeps the glaze rich but not too sweet.
Pure maple syrup: The star of the show! Use real maple syrup for that deep, natural sweetness and glossy finish.
Lemon juice: Just half a lemon brightens everything up and balances the sweetness perfectly.
Dijon mustard: Lends a tangy, faint sharpness that keeps the flavors lively and not cloying.
Minced garlic: Heaping is the way to go! Fresh garlic lifts the whole dish with aromatic depth.
Olive oil: For searing, it’s the start of flavor in every bite.
Fresh parsley: A sprinkle of green right at the end works wonders for color and fresh contrast.
Salt: Essential for bringing out all the other flavors—don’t skimp!
Black pepper: A little kick rounds out the sweetness and ties the flavors together.

How to Make Easy Maple Glazed Chicken Breasts

Step 1: Season the Chicken

Start by generously seasoning both sides of your chicken breasts with salt and freshly ground black pepper. This early seasoning makes sure that every bite is tasty right through to the center, and helps form a delicious crust when you sear.

Step 2: Whisk Up the Maple Sauce

In a medium bowl, combine the chicken broth, pure maple syrup, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a heaping tablespoon of minced garlic. Give it a good whisk so everything is fully blended. This is where the sweet, savory, and tangy notes all come together to set the stage for your glaze.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken Breasts

Heat a large skillet over medium-high and add enough olive oil to coat the bottom. When the oil’s shimmering, lay in the seasoned chicken breasts (in batches if your pan isn’t huge). Sear for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until golden-brown. Once they’re seared, move the chicken to a plate and let your skillet cool down—this will keep your sauce from burning in the next step.

Step 4: Simmer the Maple Sauce

When the skillet has cooled to warm (not hot!), pour in that beautiful maple sauce mixture. Bring it to a gentle simmer, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all the flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom—this is pure flavor gold and will make your glaze extra delicious.

Step 5: Simmer Chicken in Sauce

Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Simmer gently for about 5 to 8 minutes, depending on thickness, until the chicken is just cooked through. Don’t forget to keep spooning sauce over the top every minute or two so each breast gets sticky and glossy!

Step 6: Reduce the Maple Glaze

Transfer the cooked chicken to your serving plate, then crank the skillet heat up and simmer what’s left of the sauce for another 1 to 2 minutes. Watch it closely—it’ll thicken and bubble into a rich, sticky glaze in no time flat.

Step 7: Glaze, Garnish, and Serve

Spoon or pour that luscious reduced maple glaze over your chicken breasts. Top with freshly chopped parsley and a few lemon wedges for brightness and color. Serve hot and get ready for the compliments to roll in!

How to Serve Easy Maple Glazed Chicken Breasts

Garnishes

A scattering of chopped fresh parsley over the top brings not only a pop of vibrant green but also a fresh, herby lift that plays beautifully with the maple glaze. Add a few lemon wedges on the side for squeezing at the table if you love a little extra tang!

Side Dishes

Easy Maple Glazed Chicken Breasts pair up beautifully with classic sides like creamy mashed potatoes, steamed green beans, or roasted Brussels sprouts. For extra coziness, try them with wild rice or a fluffy bed of quinoa, which soaks up that extra glaze.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re feeling a little fancy, slice the chicken breasts on the bias and fan them out on a platter before drizzling with sauce. Or serve over a big salad of baby greens and toasted pecans for a lighter twist. You could even tuck sliced chicken and extra glaze into warm sandwich rolls for a fun lunch option!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you end up with a few extra Easy Maple Glazed Chicken Breasts, cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. The flavor actually gets even better after a day in the fridge! They’ll keep nicely for up to 3 days.

Freezing

Want to save for a busy night? These chicken breasts freeze beautifully. Wrap them (along with any leftover glaze) tightly in foil or freezer bags. They’ll stay delicious for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To warm up, place the chicken and sauce in a covered skillet over gentle heat until heated through, adding a splash of water or broth if the glaze is thickened too much. The microwave works too—just cover with a damp paper towel to keep the chicken juicy.

FAQs

Can I use bone-in chicken breasts or thighs instead?

Absolutely! Bone-in pieces work well, but expect to increase your cooking time. Thighs are especially delicious as they stay juicy and pick up lots of flavor from the maple glaze.

What can I use if I don’t have maple syrup?

While pure maple syrup is key to the recipe’s signature flavor, you can substitute honey in a pinch. The flavor won’t be quite the same, but the chicken will still taste fantastic.

Is there a way to make this dairy-free and gluten-free?

Yes, Easy Maple Glazed Chicken Breasts are naturally dairy-free and gluten-free as written. Just double-check your Dijon mustard and chicken broth to be absolutely certain they’re gluten-free.

Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?

Definitely! Mix together the maple sauce up to two days in advance and keep it refrigerated. Give it a quick whisk before adding to your skillet during cooking for maximum convenience.

How can I tell when the chicken is cooked through?

Your chicken is done when the juices run clear, there’s no pink in the thickest part, and an instant-read thermometer hits 165°F. This ensures perfectly moist and safe Easy Maple Glazed Chicken Breasts every time!

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a warm, crowd-pleasing dinner that feels both special and easy, Easy Maple Glazed Chicken Breasts are the answer. They’re fast enough for weeknights, impressive enough for company, and guaranteed to earn a spot in your regular dinner rotation. Give these chicken breasts a try—your tastebuds will thank you!

Easy Maple Glazed Chicken Breasts Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 9 reviews

Author: Sophie
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4–5 servings 1x
Diet: Non-vegetarian

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Description

These Easy Maple Glazed Chicken Breasts are a delicious combination of sweet and savory flavors that come together to create a mouthwatering dish perfect for any night of the week.

Instructions

Season the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.
Prepare Maple Glaze: In a medium bowl, combine chicken broth, maple syrup, lemon juice, dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Set aside.
Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts on both sides for 3-4 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet.
Make Maple Sauce: In the cooled skillet, add the maple sauce mixture. Simmer and scrape up browned bits.
Cook Chicken: Return seared chicken to skillet. Simmer for 5-8 minutes until cooked through, basting with sauce.
Glaze Chicken: Remove chicken, reduce maple sauce to a glaze. Drizzle over chicken.
Serve: Garnish with parsley and lemon wedges. Enjoy!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American