Pan-Seared Chicken with Bourbon Maple Glaze and Roasted Root Vegetables
Pan-seared to golden perfection, glazed with a rich bourbon maple sauce, served alongside honey-roasted carrots and parsnips. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs salt, black pepper, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 2 pieces (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 3 medium, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces carrots
- 2 medium, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces parsnips
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 tsp salt for vegetables
- 1/4 tsp black pepper for vegetables
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a bowl, toss 3 peeled and chopped carrots and 2 peeled and chopped parsnips with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Spread vegetables on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes until tender and caramelized.
- Step 2: While vegetables roast, season 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter melts and foams.
- Step 3: Add chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken and keep warm.
- Step 4: To the same skillet, add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Carefully pour in 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey and simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Step 5: Stir in 3 tbsp pure maple syrup and cook for another 2 minutes until the glaze thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 6: Return chicken to skillet and spoon bourbon maple glaze over each breast to coat evenly. Serve chicken with roasted root vegetables and extra glaze drizzled on top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Bourbon Maple Glaze and Roasted Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Bourbon Maple Glaze and Roasted Root Vegetables?
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 salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with Bourbon Maple Glaze and Roasted Root Vegetables?
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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Bourbon Maple Glaze and Roasted Root Vegetables for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Bourbon Maple Glaze and Roasted Root Vegetables?
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.