Whiskey-Infused Maple Bourbon Glazed Chicken

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

Tender chicken thighs glazed with a rich, smoky bourbon and maple syrup sauce, perfect for a comforting dinner. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, bourbon whiskey, pure maple syrup for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 420 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey, 1/3 cup pure maple syrup, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until well combined.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add 6 bone-in chicken thighs skin side down and sear for 5-6 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
  3. Step 3: Flip the chicken thighs and add 1 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves to the skillet, spooning the melted butter over the chicken for 1 minute.
  4. Step 4: Pour the bourbon maple glaze evenly over the chicken thighs, then transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the glaze is thickened and sticky.
  5. Step 5: Remove from the oven, baste the chicken with the glaze again, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Whiskey-Infused Maple Bourbon Glazed Chicken 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 Whiskey-Infused Maple Bourbon Glazed Chicken?

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 Whiskey-Infused Maple Bourbon Glazed Chicken?

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 Whiskey-Infused Maple Bourbon Glazed Chicken 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 Whiskey-Infused Maple Bourbon Glazed Chicken?

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.

Related recipes