Smoked Bourbon-Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs
Tender chicken thighs grilled and brushed with a rich bourbon glaze for a smoky, slightly sweet finish. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, bourbon whiskey, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
- 6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar. Simmer gently for 8-10 minutes until the mixture thickens into a syrupy glaze.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice blend evenly over 6 bone-in chicken thighs.
- Step 3: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Brush the chicken thighs with 2 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Step 4: Grill the chicken thighs skin-side down for 6-7 minutes until the edges are crispy and golden. Flip and grill for another 6 minutes.
- Step 5: During the last 4 minutes of grilling, brush the chicken generously with the bourbon glaze, turning and glazing every 2 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and caramelized.
- Step 6: Remove from grill and let rest 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.









