Louisville-Style Paddleboarders’ Bourbon Glazed Chicken

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

Juicy chicken breasts glazed with a sweet and smoky bourbon sauce, inspired by the adventurous paddleboarding tours along the Ohio River in Louisville. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs bourbon whiskey, brown sugar, soy sauce 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Simmer gently for 8-10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, season 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low, pour the bourbon glaze over the chicken, and cook for an additional 2 minutes, spooning the sauce over the chicken to coat it well and create a shiny glaze.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and let rest for 3 minutes before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Louisville-Style Paddleboarders’ Bourbon Glazed Chicken take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Louisville-Style Paddleboarders’ Bourbon Glazed Chicken?

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 whiskey from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Louisville-Style Paddleboarders’ Bourbon Glazed Chicken?

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 Louisville-Style Paddleboarders’ Bourbon Glazed Chicken 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 Louisville-Style Paddleboarders’ Bourbon Glazed Chicken?

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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