Our easy stove-top chicken thighs are perfect for families looking for a delicious, affordable, and hassle-free dinner option that kids will adore. The dish features tender chicken thighs with a touch of sweetness from maple syrup and a refreshing tang from fresh orange, making for a mouthwatering gluten-free meal.
Sear the chicken. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Once the oil is hot add the chicken thighs and sear over medium-high heat for 5 minutes without flipping. After 5 minutes, flip and cook for an additional 10 minutes
2 tablespoons olive oil
⭐️Boil orange juice with maple syrup and butter. Over medium heat, add orange juice and maple syrup to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in orange zest and thyme.
1/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 teaspoon orange zest, 1/2 teaspoon thyme
Pour sauce over the chicken. Once the chicken is cooked pour the orange sauce over the chicken and use a tongs to toss the chicken into the sauce.
Serve. Serve hot with your favorite sides.
Notes
Not a fan of orange zest or thyme? Skip it or use your favorite herb instead.
Broil for 3-5 minutes for golden brown chicken.
Use a large stainless steel, non-stick or cast iron pan that can easily fit 5-6 chicken thighs.
Allow the seared chicken thighs to cook fully on each side. Do not attempt to move until ready to flip. If you find the chicken sticking to your pan, it is not ready to flip. Chicken should easily lift off the bottom of the pan.
Instead of tossing the chicken in the sauce, serve on the side. This can be a great option for picky kids who may be hesitant to try new foods. Dipping allows your picky eater to do a taste test of the sauce.
Serve leftovers with any leftover sides the next day or shred to incorporate into a recipe like soups, casseroles, tacos, burritos and enchiladas.
CCK Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you're new to eating gluten-free we understand it's overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don't. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn't require a helper.