Juicy maple-glazed chicken thighs roast alongside tender acorn squash and sweet carrots in one pan for a weeknight dinner that tastes like Sunday cooking. Minimal prep, easy cleanup, and a little maple magic make this a recipe you’ll want on repeat.
A Weeknight Dinner That Feels Like Sunday
There’s something about roasting chicken with vegetables that makes the whole kitchen smell like you’ve been cooking all day, even if you pulled it together in half an hour. That’s why this maple-glazed chicken with acorn squash keeps sneaking back into my weeknight rotation.
It’s warm, slightly sweet, savory, and just the right amount of cozy. Plus, it all bakes in one dish, which means less cleanup.
Why I Love Cooking Acorn Squash with Chicken
Most nights, I just roast acorn squash on its own, maybe stuffed with fruit and nuts when I’m feeling fancy or filled with sausage for a heartier meal. But here? It shares the pan with juicy, crispy-skinned chicken thighs, and that changes everything. The squash soaks up all that savory chicken flavor while the maple syrup works its magic.
If you’ve never cooked with acorn squash before, you’re in for a treat. It’s one of those veggies that’s worth exploring beyond the usual butter-and-brown-sugar routine. I’ve got a whole collection of squash recipes you can browse through if you want more ideas for using it outside of this dish.
Just a Few Ingredients
All you really need to get started are chicken thighs with the skin on (trust me, that’s the secret to locking in the juices), a fresh acorn squash, and pure maple syrup, not the pancake kind. The rest? You can find in your pantry or fridge. Check the recipe card for the exact list and instructions
How to make maple chicken with acorn squash
Step 1: Season and cut
Step 2: Assemble
Step : Add some sweetness
While it’s roasting, the chicken releases just enough juices to create a flavorful broth in the bottom of the pan. I always serve it over rice and spoon that broth right on top, it’s too good to waste.
Got leftovers? Let them cool, then store them in the fridge for a few days or freeze for later. Reheat in the oven if you want the skin to stay crispy.
It’s the kind of recipe you’ll end up making on repeat, especially when you need something filling, and easy enough for a weeknight.
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One-Pan Maple Glazed Chicken and Acorn Squash Dinner
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs with bone and skin
- salt and pepper
- 1 acorn squash
- 2 cups carrots diced
- 1 medium onion diced
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450º. Butter a 13 x 9 inch casserole dish.
- Cut acorn squash lengthwise and remove seeds. Cut each half crosswise into ½ inch slices. Place squash, carrots and onion into bottom of prepared pan.
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat with a tablespoon of olive oil. Salt and pepper chicken thighs and place skin side down in the skillet. Let brown for about 5 minutes until the skin is golden brown. Place the thighs on top of the vegetables skin side down.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and turn chicken so that it is skin side up. Pour maple syrup over the top of the chicken and continue cooking for 25-30 minutes until a thermometer registers 170º and vegetables are tender. Skin should be golden brown.
Barbara’s Tips + Notes
- Don’t use pancake syrup instead of pure maple syrup, it will be way to sweet.
- This works best with chicken thighs with bones and skin.
- You do not need to peel the squash, you can eat the skins.
Nutrition
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Ronnie says
For those who use the “jump to recipe” section of this page; they won’t get this part of the instructions:
“Step 1: Salt and pepper the chicken and then brown it for a few minutes in a skillet until the skin is crispy and brown.”
I’m glad I read through the whole page first so I know to brown the chicken first. I can’t wait to try this because it sounds really tasty and I am such a fan of acorn squash. Thank you!
Barbara Curry says
Ronnie, thanks for picking that up. I have corrected it so that it’s more clear.
Zerlina Van Sickle says
I love the simplicity of this meal! Love acorn squash!!!
Barbara Curry says
Sometimes simple ingredients make teh best meal. I’m glad you liked it.