Glazed Maple Bourbon Chicken Thighs with Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Juicy chicken thighs glazed with a sweet and smoky maple bourbon sauce paired with tender roasted sweet potatoes seasoned with smoked paprika. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, maple syrup, bourbon 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, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, toss 2 medium peeled sweet potatoes cut into 1-inch cubes with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until evenly coated. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine 1/3 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup bourbon, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Whisk until smooth.
- Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Season 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Place skin side down in the skillet and sear for 5-6 minutes until skin is golden and crispy.
- Step 4: Flip chicken thighs and pour the maple bourbon glaze over them. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast for 15-18 minutes until the chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature and the glaze is bubbly and thickened.
- Step 5: Remove chicken and let rest. Add roasted sweet potatoes to the skillet or a serving dish, sprinkle with 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, and serve alongside the glazed chicken.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Glazed Maple Bourbon Chicken Thighs with Roasted Sweet Potatoes take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Glazed Maple Bourbon Chicken Thighs with Roasted Sweet Potatoes?
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 maple syrup from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Glazed Maple Bourbon Chicken Thighs with Roasted Sweet Potatoes?
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 Glazed Maple Bourbon Chicken Thighs with Roasted Sweet Potatoes 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 Glazed Maple Bourbon Chicken Thighs with Roasted Sweet Potatoes?
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.