Print

Maple Bourbon Pecan Chicken Recipe

Maple Bourbon Pecan Chicken Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 13 reviews

A flavorful and comforting Maple Bourbon Pecan Chicken featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken thighs coated in gluten-free flour, seared to a golden crisp, then simmered in a rich sauce of bourbon, pure maple syrup, and chopped pecans. This dish balances sweet, savory, and nutty notes perfectly for an impressive yet simple dinner option.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

  • 1–1/4 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup gluten free flour
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Sauce

  • 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 gluten-free)
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed between your fingers

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Add gluten-free flour to a shallow dish and season generously with salt and pepper. Dredge each chicken thigh in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess, then place the coated thighs on a plate.
  2. Mix the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together chicken broth, maple syrup, chopped pecans, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, gluten-free tamari, and dried rosemary. Set aside the sauce mixture.
  3. Sear the chicken: Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a 12″ cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken thighs in batches to avoid overcrowding. Sear until golden brown on one side, about 1-2 minutes. Flip and sear the other side until golden, then transfer the chicken back to the plate. Chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
  4. Deglaze with bourbon: Remove the skillet from heat and carefully add the bourbon—it will boil immediately due to the hot pan. Return skillet to medium heat.
  5. Add the sauce and simmer: Pour in the prepared maple syrup mixture. Increase heat to bring the liquid to a simmer, then reduce to medium heat. Nestle the chicken thighs back into the skillet, loosely cover with foil, and simmer for 10 minutes, flipping the chicken once or twice in the sauce to ensure even cooking and flavor absorption. The sauce should reduce and thicken slightly.
  6. Serve: Plate the chicken thighs and spoon the rich maple bourbon pecan sauce over the top. Serve immediately, ideally with mashed potatoes or your favorite side dish.

Notes

  • This dish pairs excellently with prepared mashed potatoes to soak up the flavorful sauce.
  • Use pure maple syrup—not pancake syrup—for authentic sweetness and depth of flavor.
  • For a gluten-free version, ensure to use tamari sauce instead of soy sauce.
  • Handle the skillet carefully when adding bourbon to avoid flare-ups.
  • Make sure to crush the dried rosemary between your fingers to release its aroma before adding to the sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: maple bourbon chicken, pecan chicken, gluten free chicken recipe, bourbon chicken, maple syrup chicken, easy chicken dinner

Find it online: https://messykitchenmagic.com/maple-bourbon-pecan-chicken-recipe/