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Maple Glazed Chicken

Name: Maple Glazed Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 4 chicken breasts; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated); 1 tablespoon fresh sage (chopped finely); 1/2 cup chicken stock; Extra sage leaves (optional); Toasted pecans (optional)

Author

Kylee Ayotte

| Published/Modified:

May 26, 2025

Rating

Sweet with a touch of citrus and salt, the flavor of these maple glazed chicken breasts is outstanding. Topped with some sage and crunchy toasted pecans, you can have a tasty dinner in around 35 minutes.

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I’m all about mixing up my usual chicken dinners with different flavors and sauces – maple glazed chicken was one of those “what do we have on hand?” moments. A bit of maple syrup, soy sauce, lemon, ginger, and sage, and boom – dinner was born! While the chicken’s cooking, I throw together some sides, and it all comes together perfectly in about half an hour.

These maple glazed chicken breasts are sweet with a hint of citrus and salt, and they’re topped with sage and crunchy toasted pecans for an outstanding flavor. You can have this tasty dinner on the table in about 35 minutes!

Try my Skillet Bourbon Chicken, my Baked Chicken Breasts or my easy Skillet Chicken Pot Pie, too! And if you love sweet marinades, you can also try my Sticky Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs recipe, which features a quick honey-soy glaze.

Overhead view of two cooked chicken breasts in a cast iron pan, topped with sage leaves and chopped nuts.

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Why you’ll love Maple Glazed Chicken:

Quick and easy. This dish comes together in just 35 minutes, perfect for busy nights.
Packed with flavor. The maple syrup, ginger, and sage give the chicken a sweet and savory balance.
Great for entertaining. It looks fancy, but it’s super simple to make.
Adaptable. Don’t have pecans? No worries – try it without or substitute with almonds

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes! Just adjust the cooking time as thighs usually take a bit longer to cook through. Make sure they reach 165°F.

What if I don’t have fresh sage?

You can use dried sage! Just use half the amount as dried herbs are stronger.

How do I keep the chicken juicy?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temp. Take the chicken out of the oven as soon as it hits 165°F.

What to serve with Maple Glazed Chicken

Serve with rice, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad. This chicken goes great with just about anything!

I have included step-by-step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the full recipe card located at the bottom of the post.

Two chicken breasts in a cast iron pan, cooked until golden brown with sage leaves and nuts on top.

Key Recipe Ingredients

The full list of ingredients and amounts is found in the printable recipe card below.

Chicken breasts. Boneless skinless chicken breasts are ideal, but you can use chicken thighs too – just adjust the cooking time.
Vegetable oil. Use a neutral oil like vegetable oil for searing. It handles high heat better than olive oil.
Maple syrup. Make sure to use pure maple syrup for that rich, sweet flavor.
Lemon. Adds a little brightness to balance the sweet maple glaze. Fresh lemon juice and zest are best.
Soy sauce. Brings a salty, umami kick. You can use tamari for a gluten-free option.
Fresh ginger. Grated ginger adds a nice zing. If you don’t have fresh, use 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger.
Fresh sage. Fresh sage gives the best flavor, but dried works too—just use half the amount.
Chicken stock. Adds moisture and keeps the chicken juicy. If you don’t have chicken stock, vegetable stock or water will work.
Pecans. Toasted pecans add a nice crunch. You can leave them out or substitute with another nut like walnuts or almonds.

Recommended Equipment/Tools

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Cast iron skillet or other oven-safe pan
Meat thermometer
Whisk
Tongs or spatula

Kylee’s Notes

Don’t skip the sear. Let the chicken cook for the full 4 minutes to get that nice golden color and flavor.

Glaze adjustments. If the glaze reduces too much, just add more chicken stock to keep things saucy.

Use fresh herbs. Fresh sage adds the best flavor, but if you don’t have it, dried sage works too—just use half the amount.

What to do with leftovers

Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.

Freezing instructions

Let the chicken cool completely, then freeze in a container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat before serving.

More delicious recipes:

Chicken Piccata Recipe. An old time classic, that is quick and easy to make and full of flavor. Butter, lemon juice and capers make the delicious sauce!
Pesto Stuffed Chicken (with Cream Cheese). Super easy to make, finishes in the oven for some hands-off cooking! Creamy and delicious, everyone will love this dinner!
Balsamic Glazed Chicken. A simple homemade sauce is used to baste the chicken as it cooks. The result is tender chicken with a slightly sweet, and tangy taste.
Chicken Pizzaiola. A delicious and easy-to-make dinner. In just 35 minutes, you’ll have tender chicken in a rich tomato sauce packed with flavor.
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