Smoky Whiskey Maple-Glazed Chicken Thighs

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-19 · Updated 2026-06-19

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Juicy chicken thighs glazed in a smoky whiskey and maple sauce, pan-seared to golden perfection with a hint of warm spices. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, smoked paprika, salt 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 American cuisine 350 cal/serving

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Ingredients

6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup whiskey
3 tbsp pure maple syrup
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

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Instructions

Step 1: Pat 6 bone-in chicken thighs dry and season evenly with 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add the chicken thighs skin-side down. Sear for 6-7 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook another 5 minutes.
Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low, add 3 minced garlic cloves, and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4: Pour in 1/4 cup whiskey carefully to deglaze the pan, then stir in 3 tbsp pure maple syrup, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar.
Step 5: Simmer the glaze with the chicken for 5-7 minutes, spooning the sauce over the thighs until it thickens and coats the chicken.
Step 6: Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.