Charred Bourbon-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Roasted Vegetables

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-02 · Updated 2026-08-02

Juicy chicken thighs glazed with a rich bourbon sauce, paired with oven-roasted seasonal vegetables for a hearty, flavorful dinner. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, bourbon whiskey, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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

• 6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup bourbon whiskey
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
• 3 medium, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks carrots
• 1 large, cut into 1-inch pieces red bell pepper
• 2 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds zucchini
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/2 cup bourbon whiskey, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly and becomes syrupy, stirring occasionally.
2. Step 2: Toss 3 peeled and chopped carrots, 1 large diced red bell pepper, and 2 sliced zucchinis with 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper on a large baking sheet. Spread evenly and roast in the oven for 20 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized.
3. Step 3: While vegetables roast, heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Season 6 bone-in chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then sear skin side down for 5-6 minutes until deeply browned and crisp.
4. Step 4: Flip the chicken thighs and brush generously with the bourbon glaze prepared earlier. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast for 15-18 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and glaze is sticky and caramelized.
5. Step 5: Remove chicken and vegetables from the oven. Sprinkle 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme over chicken thighs and serve alongside the roasted vegetables, spooning any extra bourbon glaze over top.