Bourbon-Infused Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potato Mash

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-16 · Updated 2026-04-16

Tender chicken thighs glazed with a sweet-smoky bourbon reduction, served atop creamy mashed sweet potatoes for a comforting Kentucky-inspired meal. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, bourbon, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 3 tbsp bourbon
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 medium (about 1 lb), peeled and cubed sweet potatoes
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh chives

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season evenly with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, and 1 tsp smoked paprika.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook for 2 more minutes.
3. Step 3: Pour 3 tbsp bourbon into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits, then add 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Step 4: Transfer skillet to a preheated oven at 400°F and bake for 25 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
5. Step 5: While chicken bakes, place cubed sweet potatoes in a pot with 1/2 tsp salt and enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender.
6. Step 6: Drain sweet potatoes, then mash with 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 1/4 cup milk until smooth and creamy. Season with additional salt to taste, then stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives.