Bourbon-Spiked Honey Mustard Glazed Chicken Thighs
Juicy oven-baked chicken thighs glazed with a sticky honey mustard sauce enhanced with a splash of bourbon for depth and sweetness. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs (about 3 pounds) bone-in chicken thighs, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 6 (about 3 pounds) bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 tbsp bourbon whiskey
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Pat dry 6 bone-in chicken thighs and season evenly with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin side down and sear 5-6 minutes until skin is golden and crisp. Flip and sear the other side for 3 minutes.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup honey, 3 tbsp bourbon whiskey, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tsp garlic powder.
- Step 4: Pour the bourbon honey mustard glaze evenly over chicken thighs in the skillet. Transfer skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and glaze is bubbly and caramelized.
- Step 5: Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before serving with extra glaze spooned on top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bourbon-Spiked Honey Mustard Glazed Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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-Spiked Honey Mustard Glazed Chicken Thighs?
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 salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bourbon-Spiked Honey Mustard Glazed Chicken Thighs?
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-Spiked Honey Mustard Glazed Chicken Thighs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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-Spiked Honey Mustard Glazed Chicken Thighs?
American chicken 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.
