Maple Mustard Chicken Thighs

We are trying to teach our son to be able to identify if someone is a man or a woman.  He says people's names that he knows and says for example "Gammy woman" or "Nick man".  Some days he gets them all right.  Some days he is just silly.  Today he saw a woman driving in the car next to us and said "woman driving car" .  I said "that's right! What is Momma?"  He said "Moo-cow".  Haha.  Then I asked him what Papa was and he said "Woman".  Haha so not quite there on this skill :)

So that story has nothing to do with this chicken.

This chicken is great.  You can eat it with rice, quinoa, pasta, potatoes, sweet potatoes - you name it!  Would also be great over a huge bowl of roasted veggies.  It is pretty easy and super delicious!  Also, yes...I do take pictures of my food outside on the cement.  My neighbors probably think I am so weird. :)  I didn't have a big enough pan for all the chicken so I used 2 pans.  Look at all that delicious chicken fat...yummy.

Maple Mustard Chicken Thighs
adapted from The Jessica Gavin Blog

8 chicken thighs, bone and skin on
Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika and garlic powder for seasoning
Olive Oil
1.5 TBS minced garlic
1/3 cup maple syrup
7 TBS coarse ground mustard (or a combo of dijon and coarse ground)
3 TBS water

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Generously season both sides of chicken with salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder.  Don't be shy.

Heat a large oven proof pan (or 2 if you don't have a big enough one like me) over medium-high heat.  Add olive oil to coat pan.  When oil is hot add seasoned chicken skin side down into the pan.  Sear for 5-7 minutes until skin is crispy and browned.  Flip chicken over and turn off heat.  Carefully drain off with a spoon about half of the chicken grease.  Return heat to medium.  Add garlic and saute 1 minute.

In small bowl combine the garlic, maple syrup, mustard and water until smooth.  Pour over chicken and simmer 2 minutes.  Transfer pan to preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until chicken reaches internal temperature of 155-165 degrees.