Grilled Bourbon-Maple Glazed Chicken with Lexington Bluegrass Herb Salad

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken breasts grilled and brushed with a bourbon-maple glaze served alongside a fresh herb salad inspired by Lexington’s Bluegrass region. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs bourbon, pure maple syrup, Dijon mustard for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/4 cup bourbon, 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar. Simmer gently for 6-8 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and let cool.
  2. Step 2: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Season 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Brush each breast with 2 tbsp olive oil.
  3. Step 3: Place the chicken breasts on the grill and cook for 6 minutes per side, brushing generously with the bourbon-maple glaze during the last 4 minutes of grilling, turning every 2 minutes to build a sticky glaze. Chicken should reach 165°F internally.
  4. Step 4: While the chicken grills, toss 3 cups baby arugula with 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1/4 cup chopped mint, and 2 tbsp chopped chives in a large bowl. Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss lightly to combine.
  5. Step 5: Serve the grilled bourbon-maple glazed chicken breasts alongside the fresh Bluegrass herb salad for a dish balancing smoky sweetness and bright herbal notes.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Bourbon-Maple Glazed Chicken with Lexington Bluegrass Herb Salad take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Grilled Bourbon-Maple Glazed Chicken with Lexington Bluegrass Herb Salad?

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 bourbon from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Bourbon-Maple Glazed Chicken with Lexington Bluegrass Herb Salad?

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 Grilled Bourbon-Maple Glazed Chicken with Lexington Bluegrass Herb Salad 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 Grilled Bourbon-Maple Glazed Chicken with Lexington Bluegrass Herb Salad?

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.

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