Spiced Bourbon-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Nashville Honey

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs glazed with a bourbon and honey sauce inspired by Nashville's rich spirits scene, balanced with warm spices. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, bourbon whiskey, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 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: 30 min Serves 4 American cuisine 360 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Pat dry 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and season evenly with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5-6 minutes until skin is golden brown and crispy.
  3. Step 3: Flip chicken thighs and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey and 3 tbsp honey, stirring to mix.
  5. Step 5: Pour bourbon-honey mixture over chicken thighs in skillet, then add 1 tbsp unsalted butter on top of the thighs.
  6. Step 6: Transfer skillet to the preheated oven and roast for 15-20 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the glaze is syrupy and coats the chicken.
  7. Step 7: Spoon the glaze over the chicken before serving for a shiny, flavorful finish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Bourbon-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Nashville Honey take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 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 Spiced Bourbon-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Nashville Honey?

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 Spiced Bourbon-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Nashville Honey?

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 Spiced Bourbon-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Nashville Honey 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 Spiced Bourbon-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Nashville Honey?

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.

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