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Baked Crunchy Maple Dijon Chicken – a family favorite loved by everyone! Simple cornflake-crusted chicken baked up on a sheet pan until crispy and delicious. The crumb coating is part of the secret. But it’s the maple Dijon sauce that really surprises everyone in the most delicious way. Sweet maple with the perfect combination of creamy Dijon mustard, spices, and sea salt. A yummy weeknight dinner to serve up to family and friends this season.
Growing up, my dad would make his potato chip chicken for dinner once or twice a week. And Mom would often do a simple roasted chicken with a maple Dijon herb sauce.
We’d always have rice on the side. And if it was Sunday night, Mom might add some homemade bread. Maybe some broccoli too, but I’m going to be honest I don’t remember a lot of green things on the table as a kid. I guess that’s what happens when you grow up with 5 brothers. You eat a lot of chicken and taco dinners.
Which I’m not really complaining about, I love a chicken and rice dish, and tacos are my favorite.
Now that I cook, I love recreating some of the dinners we’d eat growing up, only I like to add more flavor. This chicken is a combination of Dad’s potato chip chicken, Mom’s maple Dijon chicken, and then, everyone’s favorite, hot honey chicken.
The breading comes from my dad, the sauce from my mom, and I stole the base recipe from the hot honey chicken.
It turned out so wonderful. It’s the maple Dijon sauce, it’s SO GOOD, I can’t wait for you to try it!
Here are the simple details
Step 1: the coating is key
Cornflakes are the star, they give the chicken that perfect crunch. I’ve tested other cereals, but everyone in the family agrees cornflakes have the best taste and crunch.
I use Nature’s Path, Organic Corn Flakes Cereal, which is naturally gluten-free and non-GMO. I order them online, but if you’re looking for something in-store, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s are both good options.
Or you know, a box of Kellogs works in a pinch too.
Step 2: crunch the cornflakes
You can do this by hand, but I do prefer to use a food processor or a blend to get a really fine crumb. Then I always season the crumbs with paprika (smoked is especially yummy), onion powder, and garlic powder.
Then add parmesan cheese. It may sound odd, but the cheese adds a salty flavor that melts over the chicken becoming crispy as it bakes. It helps to create a chicken that’s very savory, not sweet.
Step 3: dredge the chicken
I dredge the boneless skinless chicken breasts through beaten eggs, then through the crumbs. For a thicker coating, I’ll take the chicken and dip it back through the eggs, and the crumbs for a second time. This takes slightly longer, but the thicker coating is always delish.
Next, olive oil on the chicken to help it crisp up. Then just bake.
Step 4: the sauce
This is the real star of the recipe. It’s going to knock your socks off. We’re so obsessed with it.
Mix pure maple syrup (no added sugars or flavors), with a creamy Dijon mustard. Then add hot sauce and a mix of spices.
Just like a hot honey sauce, this is sweet, but more spicy than anything else. The maple balances it perfectly, and the Dijon adds the yummiest flavor.
Once the sauce is on the chicken, I add fresh thyme and sea salt.
This will be so great with a side of rice or roasted sweet potatoes. Very cozy and nice for fall!
Looking for more recipes? Here are a few to try:
Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Soft Pretzels
Fried Buffalo Goat Cheese Balls
Baked Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls with Cilantro Lime Ranch
Buffalo Cauliflower with Spicy Tahini Ranch
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
Lastly, if you make this Baked Crunchy Maple Dijon Chicken, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Baked Crunchy Maple Dijon Chicken
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 544 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 6 cups cornflakes (use gluten free, if needed)
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 2 pounds chicken breast tenderloins
- extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- fresh thyme or parsley, for serving
Maple Dijon Sauce
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 2-3 tablespoons hot sauce
- 3/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- sea salt
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.2. In a food processor, combine the cornflakes, parmesan, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Pulse until you have fine crumbs. Alternatively, you can crush the crumbs in a ziplock bag by stepping on them. Dump the crumbs into a shallow bowl.3. Beat the eggs in a bowl, add the chicken, and toss well to coat.3. Dredge the chicken through the crumbs, covering fully. Place on the prepared baking sheet. For a thicker coating, dip the chicken back through the eggs, then through the crumbs a second time. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until crisp all around.4. To make the sauce. In a sauce pot, warm together the maple syrup, Dijon, hot sauce, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder, plus a pinch of salt. Stir in the thyme. 5. Drizzle the warm sauce over the chicken. Top with herbs. If the sauce thickens, warm for 5 seconds in the microwave. Enjoy!
This post was originally published on September 20, 2023
Excellent recipe. Easy and delicious.
Thank you for taking the time to try out this recipe! So glad to hear you enjoyed it! xT
This was delicious! I found that 6 cups of cornflakes was just the right amount. I also mixed the 2 T hot sauce into the eggs, which seemed to be what was intended
Thank you for giving this recipe a try! I really hope you loved it 🙂 xT
Our family loved this! I did all six cups of cornflakes and did a double coat on 8 chicken tenders. I had just enough cornflakes. I did need more egg but no biggie. We loved the crunchiness of the chicken and the smokey spicy sauce. Served steamed broccoli in the side. Will definitely make again.
Thank you for giving this recipe a try! I really hope you loved it 🙂 xT
So delicious! Turned out amazing! I added a little fresh rosemary to the sauce. 10/10 would recommend.
Thanks so so much for trying out this recipe! Have a lovely day! xT
where does the hot sauce from the ingredient list in the “chicken” section go? Im assuming with the eggs????
Yes! So sorry for the confusion! xT
Hi! Where do the 2 Tbsp of hot sauce in the chicken recipe go? In the eggs maybe?
Thanks!
Hi Tieghan! Could I use panko/breadcrumbs instead of cornflakes?
Yeah definitely! xT
Tasty! The cornflake crunch was really good – I added some cumin to “kick it up” a bit.
The sauce was really great – initially “too mustardy”, so upped the maple syrup. I will say that the first taste was good. But after the sauce cooled a bit and I added in the fresh thyme – that was a game changer! Smoothed it out added depth.
Dinner last night, but would be perfect for a Football Sunday!
Thank you so so much for trying out the recipe! I really hope you loved it! 🙂
Didn’t love this one. the chicken tasted pretty bland to me and the sauce just tasted like a spicy bbq type. Also, the recipe seemed to warrant a TON of cornflake crust mixture. 6 cups is almost an entire box of cereal. I used about half and saved the rest. I would try her hot honey chicken recipe instead next time!
Hey Summer! I’m so sorry this didn’t turn out for you! Thanks for letting me know! xT
Made it and it turned out great! I don’t like mustard but I still liked the sauce as it was not overpowering.
Thank you so so much for trying out the recipe! I really hope you loved it! 🙂
This was incredibly delish! The sauce drizzle at the end made the entire dish scrumptious! I backed off on the hot sauce until I tried the recipe and shared with family. I passed along extra sauce to my family s they could suit their tastes. I got all thumbs up for this recipe. It now has a permanent spot in the dinner/lunch rotation.
Thank you so much for trying out this recipe! Hope you enjoyed it 🙂 xT
Made this late night for dinner and loved it.
My only question: hot sauce is listed in both the chicken and sauce portions of the recipe but does not appear in the directions until you get to the sauce. Does the hot sauce get used at any time while making the chicken?
Shelby, I noticed that too. I just did the hot sauce for the drizzle but next time may try adding it to the chicken. It was delish though.
I made this delightful recipe tonight for dinner and it was absolutely delicious!! I did two Tablespoons of hot sauce and it was perfect. Thank you for this recipe and I will for sure make this again 😁
Thank you so so much Donna! Hope you loved the recipe! xT
Love this recipe! Did not like the parsley on the chicken, but everything else was yum!
Thanks for the feedback Jody! xT
I just love this recipe! It was so easy to follow and had all ingredients on hand. While I love the spicy kick, I’ll make it a bit less spicy when the grandkids come. Also, can I substitute honey for the maple syrup? Will it still taste as delicious?
Hi there! Yes, you can use honey! 🙂