Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Chicken with Kentucky River Herb Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-17 · Updated 2026-06-17

Juicy grilled chicken thighs brushed with a sweet bourbon glaze, paired with a fresh herb salad inspired by the Kentucky River region. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 35 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 350 calories and feeds 8, 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

• 8 (about 3 lbs) bone-in chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 3 minced garlic cloves until sugar dissolves. Reserve 1/4 cup of this bourbon glaze for basting later.
2. Step 2: Place 8 bone-in chicken thighs in a large resealable bag and pour in the remaining bourbon glaze. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
3. Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove chicken from marinade, season with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, and place skin-side down on the grill. Grill for 6-7 minutes per side, basting occasionally with reserved bourbon glaze, until internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin is caramelized.
4. Step 4: While chicken grills, toss 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint with 2 tbsp lemon juice and 3 tbsp olive oil. Season the herb salad with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
5. Step 5: Serve the grilled bourbon-glazed chicken thighs hot alongside the refreshing Kentucky River herb salad.