Spiced Bourbon-Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy grilled chicken thighs brushed with a sweet and smoky bourbon glaze featuring warm spices for depth of flavor. This bbq & smoked-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, bourbon whiskey, packed 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 BBQ & Smoked cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine 1/3 cup bourbon whiskey, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp ground cumin. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  2. Step 2: Pat 6 bone-in chicken thighs dry and season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp garlic powder evenly on both sides.
  3. Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Brush the chicken with 2 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking.
  4. Step 4: Grill the chicken thighs skin-side down for 6-7 minutes until the skin crisps and grill marks form, then flip and brush generously with the bourbon glaze. Continue grilling for another 6-7 minutes while brushing glaze every 2 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the glaze caramelizes.
  5. Step 5: Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Bourbon-Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Grilled Chicken Thighs?

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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Bourbon-Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs?

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 Grilled Chicken Thighs 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 Grilled Chicken Thighs?

BBQ & Smoked 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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