Pan-Seared Chicken with Maple-Bourbon Glaze and Roasted Root Vegetables
Juicy pan-seared chicken breasts glazed with a sweet and smoky maple-bourbon sauce paired with oven-roasted carrots and parsnips. This american-inspired quick meals ready in about 50 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breasts, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (6 oz each) chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp bourbon whiskey
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 4 medium, peeled and cut into 2-inch sticks carrots
- 3 medium, peeled and cut into 2-inch sticks parsnips
- 2 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1/2 tsp, cracked black peppercorns
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 4 medium peeled carrots and 3 medium peeled parsnips, cut into 2-inch sticks, with 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme, and 1/2 tsp cracked black peppercorns. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes until tender and caramelized.
- Step 2: While vegetables roast, season 4 chicken breasts (6 oz each) with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter foams.
- Step 3: Add chicken breasts to skillet and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Remove chicken and keep warm.
- Step 4: Lower heat to medium, add 3 minced garlic cloves to the same skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in 1/4 cup maple syrup and 2 tbsp bourbon whiskey; simmer for 3-4 minutes until the glaze thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon the maple-bourbon glaze over each piece for 1-2 minutes to warm through and absorb the sauce. Serve chicken with roasted root vegetables alongside, drizzled with remaining glaze.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Maple-Bourbon 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 Maple-Bourbon 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 (6 oz each) chicken breasts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with Maple-Bourbon 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 Maple-Bourbon Glaze and Roasted Root Vegetables 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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Maple-Bourbon Glaze and Roasted Root Vegetables?
American quick meals 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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