Smokey Maple Chicken

Need a new way to serve the “same old dinner”? This smokey maple chicken recipe is freezer friendly and full of hearty flavors the whole family will love!

The price of meat just keeps on going up, which is why here at LWSL we firmly believe that you can never have too many quick & easy freezer meals to choose from that use budget-friendly chicken! Of course, finding fresh new ways to serve the same old chicken can definitely be a challenge.

Luckily this tender, juicy, flavor-packed Smokey Maple flavored Chicken is sure to be a new family favorite–it definitely was for mine! You can cook it on the grill, in your crock pot or Instant Pot!

To make it as part of a freezer cooking day, just split the marinade & chicken into multiple bags, then throw it right into the freezer–no cooking required! Making it ahead of time is not necessary, though, as it is equally delicious just marinated in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

Smokey Maple Chicken

Here is what you need:

Step 1: Chop garlic and shallot, set aside.

Step 2: Whisk sesame oil, soy sauce, chopped garlic, shallot, liquid smoke, black pepper, ketchup, and maple syrup together in bowl, then divide into 2 1-gallon freezer bags. (If freezing, be sure to label bags ahead of time.)

Step 3: Marinate chicken in bag for at least 30 minutes or longer, or press out air from bag and freeze.

Step 4a: Thaw if frozen. Grill 7-8 minutes per side, basting with additional marinade, if desired.

Step 4b: Alternatively, you can pour contents into slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 2-3 hours, or place in your Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. Naturally release for 5 minutes, then do a quick release.

Step 5: Remove chicken from instant pot, mix together water and corn starch. Then add slurry to Instant Pot to saute for 3 minutes, to help thicken sauce.

Step 6a: Pour chicken and sauce over cooked rice and enjoy!

Step 6b: If you grilled your chicken, let it rest for a few minutes then slice and enjoy alongside a salad.

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Smokey Maple Chicken

This smokey maple chicken is bursting with flavor and can be cooked so many different ways too! 

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Smokey Maple Chicken

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

• 4-6 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 4 cloves garlic (chopped)
• 1 shallot (chopped)
• 4 tbsp Sesame seed oil
• 1 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp liquid smoke
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 tbsp corn starch
• 2 tbsp water

Instructions

1. Chop garlic and shallot, set aside.

2. Whisk sesame oil, soy sauce, chopped garlic, shallot, liquid smoke, black pepper, ketchup, and maple syrup together in bowl, then divide into 2 1-gallon freezer bags. (If freezing, be sure to label bags ahead of time.)

3. Marinate chicken in bag for at least 30 minutes or longer, or press out air from bag and freeze.

4. Thaw if frozen. Grill 7-8 minutes per side, basting with additional marinade, if desired. 
   

5. Allow chicken to rest then serve with sauce over cooked rice and enjoy!

Instant Pot Cooking Directions

1. Place chicken and marinade in your Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. Naturally release for 5 minutes, then do a quick release. Remove chicken from Instant pot.

2. Mix water and corn starch then add it to the Instant Pot marinade. Saute for 5 minutes.

3. Combine sauce with chicken then serve over rice and enjoy! 

Recipe Notes

Alternatively, you can pour contents into the slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 2-3 hours. 

Other chicken recipes:

• 5 Ingredient Chicken Bake
• One Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
• Coconut Lime Chicken

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