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chicken thighs cooked in the air fryer with crispy brown skin covered in maple sauce

Maple chicken in air fryer

Add some sweetness to your dinner routine with this easy recipe for how to cook maple chicken in the air fryer! Tender thighs are marinated in a combination of real maple syrup, dijon mustard, and soy sauce to create a balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 3 servings
Calories 262 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 chicken thighs
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Coat chicken thighs in the mixture and marinate for 30 minutes.
  • Set air fryer to 375°F.
  • Place chicken thighs in the air fryer basket. Cook for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway, until the chicken is caramelized.
  • Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy with your favorite sides!

Notes

  • For the most flavor I recommend that you marinate the thighs for a minimum of 30 minutes. They can be marinated for up to 12 hours, but after that I find the meat get a bit over-tenderized.
  • Cut down on mess and cleanup by lining the air fryer basket with parchment. Use a liner made just for the air fryer, or cut a square of parchment to fit. Either way, be sure to preheat the fryer before adding the parchment and thighs.
  • Do not overlap or stack the maple chicken in the air fryer. Place them in a single layer in the bottom of the basket with enough room to let air circulate evenly around each thigh.
  • Speaking of even cooking: Use tongs to flip the chicken thighs one time midway through air frying.
  • Check the chicken for doneness before serving. I recommend using an internal meat thermometer to make sure the thighs reach a minimum 165 degrees. If the chicken isn't quite there, air fry for another few minutes and check again.

Nutrition

Calories: 262kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 23gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 549mgPotassium: 385mgFiber: 1gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 198IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 1mg
Keyword air fryer maple chicken, maple chicken in air fryer, maple chicken thighs
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