Sheet Pan Bourbon-Glazed Chicken with Bluegrass Vegetables

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A savory sheet pan chicken dish glazed with a sweet bourbon sauce, paired with roasted local Lexington vegetables for a hearty, flavorful meal. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 45 minutes pairs bourbon whiskey, brown sugar, Dijon mustard for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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: 30 min Serves 4 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tbsp Dijon mustard until smooth.
  2. Step 2: Place 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs on a large rimmed sheet pan. Season with 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly.
  3. Step 3: Toss 12 oz baby carrots and 1 lb halved small red potatoes with 3 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves. Arrange vegetables around chicken on the sheet pan.
  4. Step 4: Brush the bourbon glaze over the chicken and vegetables generously. Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, basting with more glaze halfway, until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature and vegetables are tender.
  5. Step 5: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. The bourbon glaze will be caramelized and sticky, complementing the roasted vegetables.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Small appliances → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sheet Pan Bourbon-Glazed Chicken with Bluegrass Vegetables take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Sheet Pan Bourbon-Glazed Chicken with Bluegrass 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 bourbon whiskey from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sheet Pan Bourbon-Glazed Chicken with Bluegrass 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 Sheet Pan Bourbon-Glazed Chicken with Bluegrass 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 Sheet Pan Bourbon-Glazed Chicken with Bluegrass 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.