Description
Maple Bourbon Pecan Chicken is a quick, one-skillet dinner featuring juicy chicken thighs coated in a luscious sweet-savory sauce made with maple syrup, bourbon, pecans, and Dijon mustard. It feels like comfort food without being heavy and comes together in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
1–1/4 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/2 cup gluten free flour
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 Tablespoons bourbon (Maker’s Mark recommended)
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup pecans, chopped
3 Tablespoons pure maple syrup (not pancake syrup)
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons gluten free reduced-sodium Tamari (or soy sauce if not GF)
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
Instructions
- Add flour to a shallow dish, season with salt and pepper, and dredge chicken thighs, shaking off excess.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together chicken broth, maple syrup, pecans, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, tamari, and rosemary. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove to a plate.
- Remove skillet from heat and carefully add bourbon. Return to heat and let it bubble briefly.
- Stir in the maple syrup mixture and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium.
- Return chicken to skillet, loosely cover with foil, and simmer for 10 minutes, flipping once or twice, until sauce reduces and chicken is cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
- Plate chicken and spoon sauce over top before serving.
Notes
Swap chicken thighs for breasts for a leaner option.
Replace bourbon with chicken broth or apple juice for a non-alcoholic version.
Add cayenne pepper or chili flakes for extra spice.
Omit pecans for a nut-free version.
Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days or freeze up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
