Bourbon-Glazed Chicken with Sweet Potato Mash

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs glazed with bourbon and maple syrup, paired with creamy sweet potato mash for a comforting Kentucky-inspired meal. This kentucky-inspired sheet pan ready in about 40 minutes pairs chicken thighs, olive oil, bourbon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Kentucky cuisine 380 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 2 lb chicken thighs on a sheet pan, drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil, and season with salt, pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup bourbon, 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tbsp Dijon mustard.
  3. Step 3: Pour the glaze over the chicken on the sheet pan, ensuring each piece is coated.
  4. Step 4: Bake for 25 minutes until chicken is cooked through and the glaze is caramelized.
  5. Step 5: While chicken cooks, boil 3 cubed medium sweet potatoes in salted water for 15 minutes until tender. Drain, then mash with 2 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup milk, and salt to taste until smooth.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Bourbon-Glazed Chicken with Sweet Potato Mash take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Bourbon-Glazed Chicken with Sweet Potato Mash?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Bourbon-Glazed Chicken with Sweet Potato Mash?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Bourbon-Glazed Chicken with Sweet Potato Mash for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Bourbon-Glazed Chicken with Sweet Potato Mash?

Kentucky sheet pan like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes