Description
Maple Bourbon Pecan Chicken is the ultimate cozy comfort meal — tender chicken thighs coated in a sweet bourbon-maple glaze with crunchy toasted pecans. Perfect for weeknights or special dinners, this dish brings warmth, flavor, and a little southern charm to your table.
Ingredients
1–1/4 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/2 cup gluten-free flour
Salt and pepper
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 between your fingers
Instructions
Add flour to a shallow dish, season with salt and pepper, and dredge each chicken thigh. Shake off excess flour and set aside.
In a bowl, whisk together chicken broth, maple syrup, chopped pecans, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, tamari, and rosemary.
Heat olive oil in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a plate.
Remove skillet from heat and carefully add bourbon. Return to heat and pour in the maple syrup mixture. Bring to a simmer.
Add chicken back to the skillet, cover loosely with foil, and cook 10 minutes, flipping once or twice until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens.
Serve over mashed potatoes or rice, spooning sauce over the top. Garnish with extra pecans if desired.
Notes
For a kid-friendly version, omit bourbon — it’s still delicious!
Use real maple syrup for the best flavor; avoid pancake syrup.
To thicken the sauce, simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg