Do you glaze chicken before or after cooking?

Some people prefer to glaze the chicken before cooking as it helps the flavor penetrate into the meat. Others like to add the glaze after cooking as a finishing touch. I prefer adding the glaze as the chicken cooks, around the halfway mark until the last few minutes of cook time.

Can you use maple syrup instead of honey on chicken?

Absolutely! Honey is traditionally used in glazes for chicken, but maple syrup is a great alternative with its unique flavor. Compared to honey, real maple syrup has fewer carbs and a lower glycemic index, which could make it a better choice for specific diets.

How to get glaze to stick to chicken?

Make sure that the chicken thighs or breasts are completely dry before you cook them. I also prefer to glaze as the chicken cooks, brushing the glaze every 5 minutes or so. This technique helps the glaze stick better while allowing it to caramelize.

How to thicken glaze for chicken?

In this recipe, we're using a combination of maple syrup, butter, and chili crisp to create a thick and flavorful glaze. If you want to make it even thicker, you can add a cornstarch slurry (a mixture of cornstarch and water) to the glaze and cook on the stove top on a low simmer.

Maple Glazed Chicken

Name: Maple Glazed Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6–8 chicken thighs (I used chicken leg quarters); 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp salt; ½ tsp smoked paprika; ½ tsp black pepper; Maple Glaze:; ¼ cup maple syrup; 2 tbsp melted butter; 1 tbsp chili crisp (use only the crunchy part)

Maple Glazed Chicken

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5 from 2 reviews

This Maple Glazed Chicken recipe combines the rich sweetness of maple syrup with a hint of heat from chili crisp for an easy and delicious dish. It’s simple to make in the air fryer, delivering perfectly glazed, juicy chicken in just 25 minutes. Serve it with your favorite sides like roasted sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts for a healthy meal!

Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: makes 6 quarter chicken thighs 1x

Ingredients

Scale

6-8 chicken thighs (I used chicken leg quarters)

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp black pepper

Maple Glaze:

1/4 cup maple syrup

2 tbsp melted butter

1 tbsp chili crisp (use only the crunchy part)

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Instructions

1. Pat the Chicken Dry: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels until very dry to ensure crisp skin.

2. Make the Spice Mix: In a bowl, combine garlic powder, salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Season both sides of the chicken thighs generously with the spice mix.

3. Cook the Chicken: Place the chicken skin-side down in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking.

4. Make the Glaze: While the chicken cooks, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, maple syrup, and the crunchy part of the chili crisp.

5. Brush the Chicken with Glaze: Use a pastry brush to apply the maple glaze to both sides of the chicken while it’s cooking in the air fryer. Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) or higher using an instant-read thermometer.

6. Serve: Serve hot and enjoy your delicious Maple Glazed Chicken!

Equipment

bowl with lid

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measuring spoons

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Typhur Air Fryer

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Notes

- Pat the chicken thighs very dry before seasoning. This helps the skin crisp up beautifully in the air fryer, giving you that perfect golden brown crust.

- If you prefer a milder glaze, use less chili crisp or opt for just the crunchy browned bits without the chili oil. For extra heat, add a bit of the oil from the chili crisp to the glaze.

- Flipping the chicken halfway and brushing with the glaze ensures the flavor coats every inch. Glaze the chicken a few times.

Author: Carmen Spilette
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Mains
Method: Air Fryer
Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://www.eatwithcarmen.com/maple-glazed-chicken/