Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the pure maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside about 1/4 cup of the sauce for drizzling at the end.
- Place the cut chicken thighs in a separate bowl. Pour about half of the remaining sauce over the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Let it marinate for at least 15-20 minutes at room temperature.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). On a large, rimmed baking sheet, combine the sweet potato cubes, Brussels sprouts, and red onion wedges. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
- Spread the vegetables in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes. While they cook, prepare your quinoa or brown rice according to package directions.
- After 15 minutes, remove the pan from the oven. Push the vegetables to one side and add the marinated chicken to the other side. Drizzle the remaining sauce over the vegetables. Return the pan to the oven and roast for another 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (165°F or 74°C) and the vegetables are tender and caramelized.
- To assemble, divide the cooked quinoa or rice among four bowls. Top with the roasted chicken and vegetables. Drizzle with the reserved fresh sauce and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Expert Tips & Variations:
- **Don't Crowd the Pan:** For best results, give the chicken and vegetables space to roast, not steam. Use two sheet pans if necessary.
- **Uniform Cuts:** Cut the chicken and sweet potatoes into similar-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly.
- **Variations:** Add crunch with toasted pecans or walnuts. For extra savory flavor, add chopped bacon to the pan for the last 15 minutes of roasting. A sprinkle of feta or goat cheese at the end adds a creamy, salty finish.
- **Substitutions:** Chicken breasts or pressed firm tofu can be used instead of thighs. Butternut squash or carrots are great substitutes for sweet potatoes. Honey can be used in place of maple syrup.
- **Don't Crowd the Pan:** For best results, give the chicken and vegetables space to roast, not steam. Use two sheet pans if necessary.
- **Uniform Cuts:** Cut the chicken and sweet potatoes into similar-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly.
- **Variations:** Add crunch with toasted pecans or walnuts. For extra savory flavor, add chopped bacon to the pan for the last 15 minutes of roasting. A sprinkle of feta or goat cheese at the end adds a creamy, salty finish.
- **Substitutions:** Chicken breasts or pressed firm tofu can be used instead of thighs. Butternut squash or carrots are great substitutes for sweet potatoes. Honey can be used in place of maple syrup.
