The name of this recipe says it all! In about 10 minutes you can prepare an easy Baked Chicken recipe that is moist, tender, and seasoned with fresh herbs and a delicious maple-Dijon pan sauce! It’s a simple and healthy dinner for your busiest evenings.
Halloween candy overload?! Before we roll straight into the decadence of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, let’s get back-to-basics with a simple and delicious dinner recipe that is not only nutritious, but your kids (and your husband) will actually EAT it!
Let’s be honest: sometimes it can be tricky to come up with new and different meal ideas that are both healthy and kid-friendly. After all, most children think that the definition of “fine dining” includes mac & cheese, hot dogs, and pizza. Not that there’s anything wrong with those options…(heck, they all make frequent appearances in my kitchen), BUT it’s also nice to round out your dinnertime fare with some more grown-up recipes…and that’s exactly what I have for you today!
The bold flavors of fresh herbs and a rich maple-Dijon pan sauce make this baked chicken recipe fancy enough to serve to guests; however, the tender and juicy chicken requires only a few minutes of preparation time…so it’s also a great option for busy weeknights. You pick — no matter when you serve it, this dinner is sure to please a crowd!
And don’t forget some fluffy rice or some crusty bread to serve alongside…you’ll need something delicious to soak up all of that pan sauce!
[Tweet “This easy “No Work” Baked Chicken is a healthy #dinner kids love! #fitfluential #cleaneating”]
"No Work" Baked Chicken
Prep
Cook
Total
Yield 4
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (can substitute with about 8 chicken thighs)
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- In a bowl, whisk together maple syrup, mustard, and soy sauce.
- Place chicken in a large baking dish (about 9-inch by 13-inch) that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Sprinkle chicken with a little bit of salt and pepper, to taste.
- Pour sauce over chicken and toss to make sure that each piece of chicken is well coated. Place sprigs of fresh herbs in the dish (tucked alongside the chicken).
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F. Be sure to spoon plenty of the delicious pan sauce over the chicken before serving!
Looking for other delicious and easy family meals? Try these favorites:
Aunt Bee’s 5-Ingredient Cowboy Chili
Dump-and-Bake Chicken Taco Casserole
Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup
Oh this sounds like such a comforting and delicious dinner, Blair! I know my husband would love this. And I love how simple it is to whip up!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Roasted Maple Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet
Thanks, Gayle!!
Omgosh, Blair, this chicken looks amazing! I really don’t like to cook all that much, but I do like to have a TON of chicken recipes on hand, and this looks so easy and simple. I seriously might make this over the weekend. Thanks for sharing!
Sarah @ The Gold Lining Girl recently posted…Maple Walnut Fudge
Oh, I hope that you have a chance to try it, Sarah. You’ll love it (and leftovers are great in wraps, sandwiches, on salad, etc.). It’s a no-fail dream of a recipe! 🙂
Leftovers? What are they? I made two pans of this recipe expecting to share one with a new neighbor; however as she and I talked my husband devoured the second one by himself. I must say we both thoroughly enjoyed this dish, Maybe next time I’ll triple the recipe, lol!!
Jacqueline!! That’s AWESOME! I’m so glad that you (and your husband) loved it! Thanks so much for letting me know. 🙂
This is my kind of meal! One that doesn’t require a ton of work! I can’t wait to try it!
Exactly, Jen. I just don’t have the energy for much more fuss at the end of the day!
Look,s great will try.
Awesome! Enjoy, Laura!
Oh yes…this looks SUPER yummy!! Love how easily it comes together too! Absolutely amazing! Pinned! 🙂
Anna @ Sunny Side Ups recently posted…IT’S TIME!!
Wow, this is lovely and looks so incredibly delicious. I cant wait to try this out.
Fareeha recently posted…Andhra Mutton Fry Recipe-How to make mutton fry andhra style
Thanks so much, Fareeha! I’m so glad that you stopped by. I hope that you have a chance to make it!
let me just say that you make this no work bake chicken look like a work of art. that is talent! YUM! pinned
lindsay recently posted…Gluten Free Stuffing Salad with Warm Sweet Onion Dressing
Thanks, Lindsay! It looks and tastes way fancier than it is! 🙂
This is my second time making it! It’s officially part of our dinner line up! It is such a great resource recipe, easy but with a complex and delicious flavor. We have it over rice with baked asparagus which is awesome because it bakes at the same temperature.
Oh, I’m SO glad that you love it Courtney! Stay tuned — I have another version coming soon! We enjoy it so much that I figured I should come up with a similar variation!
I’ve made this twice and it is wonderful! Only issue I’ve had is that I do not get any extra pan sauce…the sauce is all on the chicken or it has burned. Should I increase the sauce amount or use a different baking temperature? Thank you!!
Hey, Mackenzie! I’m glad that you like the recipe. 🙂 You can certainly try lowering your oven temp to 375 (it might just take longer for the chicken to cook). I would go ahead and double or 1.5 the sauce recipe so that you have plenty! For instance, keep the amount of chicken the same, but use 1 full cup of maple syrup, 1 cup of Dijon, etc. It can’t hurt to have too much sauce…there’s no such thing! 🙂
Can I use dried Rosemary and thyme?
Hi, Vanessa! Yes, you can. I would start with a smaller amount of the dried herbs, though. Dried herbs tend to have much more concentrated flavor, so maybe 1/2 teaspoon or so of each to start, and then adjust next time if you think it needs more. 🙂
Hi Blair, will try this recipe tonight, looks real good and easy..question do we cover it while its in the oven….to keep the sauce from drying out and maybe 5 min before its done…uncover would that work…
Hi, Anna! I’m so glad that you’ll try it!
I haven’t had to cover the dish because I always seem to have plenty of sauce, and I like to allow it to thicken a bit in the oven. BUT, if you’re worried that there might not be enough sauce, or if you think it might dry out some, you can feel free to keep the dish covered for some (or most) of the cooking time. Totally up to you! 🙂
Made this chicken dish for friends and they could not get enough..you were the hit of the party!! I will make this again and again…you go girl!!!!
This was great. My kids ate it with no complaints. I loved the flavor and so did my husband. So easy. It is going into the rotation.
Awesome! So glad, Christine! Thanks for letting us know. 🙂
Made this tonight! Absolutely delicious! I didnt have fresh thyme so used dried. The chicken was SO moist and the sauce was to die for! The kids even put it over their baked potatoes! This one is a keeper! Thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad that you and the kids loved it, Wendy! It’s one of our favorites as well. 🙂