Maple Bourbon Pecan Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Maple Bourbon Pecan Chicken is a delightful dish that balances sweet, savory, and nutty flavors. Tender chicken thighs simmer in a rich maple bourbon sauce with crunchy pecans, creating a comforting meal perfect for any night of the week.

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 between your fingers

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season chicken. Add flour to a shallow dish and season generously with salt and pepper. Dredge each chicken thigh in the seasoned flour, shake off excess, and place on a plate.
2. Step 2: Prepare 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.
3. Step 3: Cook chicken. Heat olive oil in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add chicken thighs and sear until golden brown on one side, about 1-2 minutes. Flip and sear the other side until golden brown. Remove chicken to the plate; it does not need to be fully cooked yet.
4. Step 4: Deglaze skillet. Remove skillet from heat and carefully add bourbon; it will bubble vigorously. Return skillet to heat and add the maple syrup mixture.
5. Step 5: Simmer chicken. Bring the liquid to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium. Nestle the chicken back into the skillet. Loosely cover with foil and simmer until the sauce reduces and the chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Flip the chicken once or twice during cooking to coat with sauce.
6. Step 6: Serve. Plate the chicken and spoon the sauce and pecans over the top. Enjoy hot.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crunch, toast the pecans lightly before adding them to the sauce.
• Substitute chicken thighs with boneless chicken breasts, but reduce simmering time to prevent drying out.
• Use a non-alcoholic bourbon extract if preferring to avoid alcohol.
• Serve with steamed vegetables or over creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce.

Storage

Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat to prevent the sauce from burning. Avoid microwaving if possible, as the sauce may separate.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular flour instead of gluten free flour?

Yes, regular flour can be used as a substitute unless you need to keep the dish gluten free.

Is it necessary to use bourbon in this recipe?

Bourbon adds a distinct flavor and depth to the sauce, but you can omit it or use a splash of apple juice or extra chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version.

Maple Bourbon Pecan Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 131 reviews

• Author: Victor
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Maple Bourbon Pecan Chicken is a flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender boneless chicken thighs seared to perfection and simmered in a rich sauce made from bourbon, pure maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and pecans. This gluten-free recipe combines a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors, enhanced with rosemary and Tamari for a truly comforting and elegant meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Coating

• 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

Sauce

• 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

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Instructions

1. Season Chicken: Season the gluten free flour generously with salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Dredge each chicken thigh in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess, then place the coated chicken on a plate.
2. Prepare Sauce Mixture: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, maple syrup, chopped pecans, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, gluten-free Tamari, and dried rosemary. Set this mixture aside.
3. Cook Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken thighs in batches to avoid overcrowding and sear each side until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes per side. The chicken will not be fully cooked at this stage. Transfer the seared chicken back to a plate.
4. Deglaze and Add Bourbon: Remove the skillet from heat and carefully add the bourbon; it will boil immediately. Return the skillet to the heat.
5. Add Sauce and Simmer: Pour in the prepared maple syrup sauce mixture. Increase the heat to bring the liquid to a simmer, then reduce to medium. Nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the sauce. Loosely cover the skillet with foil and let it simmer for approximately 10 minutes, flipping the chicken once or twice, until the sauce reduces and the chicken is cooked through.
6. Serve: Plate the chicken thighs and spoon the reduced maple bourbon pecan sauce generously over the top. Serve warm.

Notes

• Use pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup, for authentic flavor.
• If you do not have gluten free flour, you may substitute with all-purpose flour unless gluten intolerance is a concern.
• Be cautious when adding bourbon to the hot skillet as it may flame temporarily.
• To keep this dish gluten free, ensure all ingredients like Tamari and broth are certified gluten free.
• Searing chicken in batches prevents overcrowding and ensures a nice golden crust.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Maple Bourbon Chicken, Pecan Chicken, Gluten Free Chicken, One Pan Chicken, Bourbon Sauce Chicken, Savory Maple Chicken