Smoked Chicken Brisket with Pesto and Maple-Bourbon Glaze
Smoked chicken brisket layered with fresh pesto and finished with a maple-bourbon glaze for a richly flavored, tender dish. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 270 minutes, pairs chicken brisket, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 3 lbs chicken brisket
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup, packed fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup, packed fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup, toasted pine nuts
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp Jim Beam bourbon
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rub 3 lbs chicken brisket with 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp olive oil, coating all sides evenly. Let it rest for 20 minutes.
- Step 2: Preheat smoker to 225°F with applewood chips for smoking. Smoke the chicken brisket for 3 to 4 hours or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
- Step 3: Make the pesto by blending 1 cup fresh basil leaves, 1/2 cup fresh parsley, 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 tbsp lemon juice in a food processor until coarse but combined.
- Step 4: In a small saucepan, whisk together 1/4 cup maple syrup, 2 tbsp Jim Beam bourbon, 1 tbsp yellow mustard, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer over low heat for 7 minutes until thickened and glossy.
- Step 5: When chicken is done, brush the maple-bourbon glaze over it and let rest 10 minutes. Slice the brisket and serve with a generous dollop of fresh pesto atop each piece.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoked Chicken Brisket with Pesto and Maple-Bourbon Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 270 minutes (30 min prep + 240 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 Smoked Chicken Brisket with Pesto and Maple-Bourbon Glaze?
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 chicken brisket from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smoked Chicken Brisket with Pesto and Maple-Bourbon Glaze?
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 Smoked Chicken Brisket with Pesto and Maple-Bourbon Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Smoked Chicken Brisket with Pesto and Maple-Bourbon Glaze?
American bbq & smoked 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.
