Baked Panko Chicken Thighs

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Servings: 8
Yield: 8 servings

Description

These baked panko chicken thighs are slathered in a mustard and maple syrup mixture before they're coated in panko bread crumbs for crunchy, savory flavor your family will love.

Ingredients

nonstick cooking spray
8 (4 ounce) chicken thighs
salt and ground black pepper to taste
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3 tablespoons coarse-grain mustard
2 teaspoons maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/4 cups panko bread crumbs
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1 Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a large baking pan with foil, then lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2 Wash chicken thighs and trim excess fat and skin. Remove skin, if desired. Pat dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3 Combine melted butter with mustard, maple syrup, and garlic powder in a shallow bowl. Combine panko with Parmesan cheese, parsley, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in another shallow bowl.
4 Brush or rub the chicken thighs with the butter-mustard mixture, then press into the panko mixture until thoroughly coated on all sides. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
5 Bake in the preheated oven until juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a fork, 40 to 50 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).