Bourbon-Infused Smoked Chicken with Peach Salsa
Tender chicken thighs smoked to perfection with a bourbon glaze, served with a sweet-tart peach salsa featuring local Georgia peaches for a Southern-inspired main course. This Southern-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 160 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, bourbon, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 490 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
- 2 lbs chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 cups peaches
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup red onion
- 1/4 cup fresh mint
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
The instant-read thermometer we’d check this chicken with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 2 lbs chicken thighs dry and rub with 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Smoke at 225°F (107°C) for 2 hours until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Step 2: While chicken smokes, combine 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/4 cup bourbon, and 1 tbsp olive oil in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes until syrupy and reduced by half.
- Step 3: Slice 2 cups diced peaches, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, and 1/4 cup diced red onion. Toss with 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Step 4: Brush the reduced bourbon glaze evenly over smoked chicken thighs, then return to smoker for 10 minutes to set the glaze.
- Step 5: Serve chicken with a generous spoonful of peach salsa on the side, ensuring each piece has a glossy, caramelized coating.








