House-Smoked Chicken Thighs with Peach-Bourbon Glaze

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

Chicken thighs smoked with local wood, then glazed with a sweet-tart peach and bourbon reduction for Southern-inspired depth. This southern-inspired chicken ready in about 75 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, local peach slices, bourbon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

★ 4.1 (13 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 55 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp smoked paprika. Rub evenly over all chicken surfaces.
  2. Step 2: Preheat smoker or grill to 275°F (135°C). Smoke chicken for 45 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), maintaining consistent low heat.
  3. Step 3: While chicken smokes, combine 1 cup local peach slices, 2 tbsp bourbon, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tbsp brown sugar in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until mixture reduces to a syrupy glaze, stirring occasionally.
  4. Step 4: Brush half the peach-bourbon glaze over smoked chicken thighs. Return to smoker for 10 minutes to absorb flavors. Brush with remaining glaze before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does House-Smoked Chicken Thighs with Peach-Bourbon Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (20 min prep + 55 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 House-Smoked Chicken Thighs with Peach-Bourbon Glaze?

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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in House-Smoked Chicken Thighs with Peach-Bourbon Glaze?

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 House-Smoked Chicken Thighs with Peach-Bourbon Glaze 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 House-Smoked Chicken Thighs with Peach-Bourbon Glaze?

Southern 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes