Flavorful Maple Bourbon Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs
Juicy grilled chicken thighs glazed with a sweet and smoky maple bourbon sauce, perfect for quick and impressive weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds or 900 grams)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) good quality bourbon
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and black pepper. (About 5 minutes)
- In a bowl, whisk together maple syrup, bourbon, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, smoked paprika, and optional red pepper flakes until smooth and slightly thickened. (5 minutes)
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat, about 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 205°C). Oil the grill grates lightly using a paper towel dipped in olive oil held with tongs. (10 minutes)
- Place chicken thighs skin-side down on the grill. Cook undisturbed for 6-7 minutes until skin is golden-brown and crisp.
- Flip chicken and brush generously with maple bourbon glaze. Grill for another 6 minutes.
- Flip chicken back skin-side up and brush again with glaze. Grill for an additional 5-7 minutes, flipping and glazing every 2 minutes to build a sticky, caramelized coating. (Total grilling time about 20-25 minutes)
- Check doneness with an instant-read thermometer; chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). If not done, move to indirect heat and close lid to finish cooking without burning glaze.
- Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes to keep meat juicy and allow glaze to set.
- Serve hot, spooning any extra glaze over the top if desired.
Notes
Pat chicken dry for crispy skin. Use medium-high heat to avoid burning glaze. Apply glaze in thin layers and turn frequently to build flavor without burning. Use a thermometer to ensure doneness. Rest chicken before serving. Manage flare-ups with a spray bottle of water.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 2 chicken thig
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 7
- Fat: 22
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Protein: 35
Keywords: maple bourbon chicken, grilled chicken thighs, bourbon glazed chicken, easy dinner, quick chicken recipe, smoky chicken, maple syrup glaze