Savory, smoky, and sweet — that delicious trio makes this spicy maple salmon a favorite. Quick to prepare and healthy, it’s excellent served over warm rice for an easy weeknight meal or a special date-night dinner.
My husband Kyle and I fell for this flavor profile long ago, and this Chili Maple Glazed Salmon became a regular in our rotation. The key is the marinade: a touch of heat from smoked paprika and chili powder balanced with sweet maple syrup, which creates a glossy, flavorful glaze.
Marinating salmon is one of my favorite shortcuts—prepare the marinade earlier in the day and let the fish soak up the flavors. The longer it marinates (up to a point), the more pronounced the taste.
Recipe Hack
Cleanup is simple with a parchment-paper trick: brush both sides of a parchment sheet with avocado oil, place it in a stainless steel pan, and cook the salmon directly on it. The fish won’t stick, you get a nice sear, and the pan washes up easily.
This method has caught on with readers and testers alike. If you enjoy similar preparations, try other recipes that use the same parchment technique for easy cooking and cleanup.
Give this spicy maple salmon a shot—it’s elegant enough for guests and effortless for busy evenings. I think you’ll find yourself making it often.
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Ingredients for Maple Chili Glazed Salmon
This recipe uses a short ingredient list that delivers big flavor. Pick these up on your next grocery run.
- Salmon filets: The main ingredient. Salmon is rich in omega-3s; choose wild-caught or your preferred variety.
- Avocado oil: Neutral flavor and a high smoke point, ideal for searing.
- Broth: Chicken bone broth forms the base of the marinade; you can substitute chicken or vegetable stock if preferred.
- Spices: Smoked paprika, paprika, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt provide warmth and depth. Add more chili powder for increased heat.
- Maple syrup: Adds sweetness and helps form a shiny glaze that pairs beautifully with salmon.
- Serving suggestions: Serve over cooked white rice with roasted broccoli, squash, or a bed of greens. Precooked frozen rice is a convenient option for speedy weeknight dinners.
How to Make Chili Maple Glazed Salmon
Prepare the marinade by whisking together the broth, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, maple syrup, avocado oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in a small bowl or measuring cup.
Place the salmon filets in a shallow baking dish and pour the marinade over them. Marinate for 30 minutes up to 4 hours; beyond that the fish can begin to break down.
When you’re ready to cook, add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil to a stainless steel pan. Tear a piece of parchment paper to fit the pan and coat both sides with about ½ tablespoon of avocado oil. Heat the pan over medium-low.
Remove the salmon from the marinade but reserve the marinade. Place the filets skin-side up on the oiled parchment and cook for 4 minutes. Flip gently with tongs and cook another 3 to 4 minutes, or until the salmon reaches your preferred doneness (120–125°F for medium).
Take the salmon and parchment out of the pan, lower the heat, and discard the parchment. Add the reserved marinade to the pan and bring it to a simmer, stirring occasionally until it reduces and thickens into a glossy sauce—this only takes a few minutes.
Serve the salmon over warm rice and spoon the reduced glaze over the top. Add a roasted vegetable or fresh greens on the side for a complete meal. Enjoy!
Other Salmon Recipes You’ll Love
- 8-Minute Zesty Garlic Broiled Salmon With Capers
- Mustard Salmon with Lemony Quinoa and Burst Cherry Tomatoes
- Sriracha Glazed Salmon Bowls
- Sushi-Inspired Spicy Salmon Bowls
- Red Curry Salmon
CHILI MAPLE GLAZED SALMON
Ingredients
Salmon:
- 4 filets salmon (I used wild-caught king salmon)
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
Marinade:
- ¾ cup chicken bone broth
- 1½ tablespoons avocado oil
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1½ teaspoon paprika
- 1½ teaspoon cumin
- 1½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Serving Suggestions:
- Cooked white rice
Instructions
- Whisk together the marinade ingredients and pour over the salmon filets.
- Marinate for 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- Add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil to a stainless steel pan.
- Place a piece of parchment in the pan, coating both sides with avocado oil.
- Heat the pan over medium-low.
- Remove the salmon from the marinade but keep the marinade for the sauce.
- Add the salmon filets, skin-side up, and cook for 4 minutes.
- Flip and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, depending on desired doneness.
- Remove the salmon and the parchment from the pan and turn the heat to low.
- Add the reserved marinade to the pan and simmer until it reduces and thickens.
- Serve the salmon with a generous drizzle of the reduced marinade over warm rice. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 16 g |
Protein: 36 g |
Fat: 20 g |
Saturated Fat: 3 g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 6 g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 10 g |
Cholesterol: 94 mg |
Sodium: 690 mg |
Potassium: 948 mg |
Fiber: 1 g |
Sugar: 12 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.