Maple Bourbon Chicken with Bacon and Caramelized Onions

This Maple Bourbon Chicken with Bacon is simple and so fabulously delicious you might want to squirrel it away just for yourself!

Making a dish called Maple Bourbon Chicken with Bacon feels inevitable if you love the bold combination of sweet, smoky and boozy flavors. I once cured my own maple bourbon bacon and quickly discovered how maple and bourbon lift bacon to another level. From there I made bacon jam, spiced nuts and more — so turning this flavor combination into a chicken dish was a natural next step.

This recipe balances the sweetness of maple syrup with the deep notes bourbon brings, plus the savory crunch of bacon and a touch of cayenne for heat. The result is rich, savory, slightly sweet and perfectly satisfying.

I borrowed a useful technique from a recipe I remembered: seasoning the chicken before flouring it so every bit of spice adheres. I also cook the chicken in reserved bacon fat for maximum flavor — bacon fat adds depth and a savory backbone you don’t want to skip.

I left out cloves — a personal preference — and used Maker’s Mark bourbon, but any favorite bourbon or whiskey will work. If you like more heat, increase the cayenne to taste; I found a slightly higher heat level worked well for my crowd.

I also increased the quantity of chicken so this serves as a hearty family meal. I used 3 pounds of bone-in chicken thighs; if you prefer boneless thighs, 2 pounds should be sufficient. Serve this over buttered white rice to soak up all the delicious sauce.

This is the kind of recipe that fits perfectly into a comfort food menu — rich, cozy and crowd-pleasing.

PIN IT! ‘Maple Bourbon Chicken with Bacon’

Maple Bourbon Chicken with Bacon

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This is a truly decadent dish. Chicken is coated with a flavorful spice mixture, lightly fried in bacon fat and finished in a glossy maple bourbon sauce.

5 average

Prep Time
20 mins

Cook Time
15 mins

Total Time
35 mins

Course Chicken and Turkey

Cuisine American

Servings
8 Servings

Calories
580 kcal

Ingredients

• 6 Strips Thick-cut bacon

For the Chicken

• 3 Pounds chicken thighs
• ½ teaspoon cayenne
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 ½ teaspoon white pepper
• ½ cup flour

For the Sauce

• ¾ cup maple syrup
• 6 Tablespoons bourbon

Instructions

• Cut the bacon into 1-inch pieces and fry until crisp. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
• Reserve about 1/4 cup of bacon fat in the pan for frying the chicken.

To Make the Chicken

• Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces and place in a large bowl.
• Mix the cayenne, garlic powder and white pepper. Toss the chicken in the spices so it’s evenly coated.
• Add the flour and toss again until the chicken is coated.
• Heat the reserved bacon fat over high heat until hot but not smoking.
• Add a test piece of chicken — it should sizzle. Add the chicken to the pan in a single layer.
• Let the chicken cook untouched about 3 minutes, until the edges start to become opaque and a brown crust forms.
• Flip and fry about another 3 minutes until browned and mostly cooked through.

To Make the Dish

• Pour the maple syrup over the chicken — it will bubble. Sprinkle the cooked bacon over the top and toss to coat. Cook on high for 2 minutes.
• Pour the bourbon into the pan (have a lid handy in case of flare-ups). Let it bubble a minute or two, then toss to combine.
• Cook 2–3 more minutes until the sauce has thickened and coats the chicken.
• Serve over buttered white rice and garnish with sliced green onion.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Maple Bourbon Chicken with Bacon

Serving Size

5 ounces

Amount per Serving

Calories

580

% Daily Value*

Fat 35 g

54%

Cholesterol 178 mg

59%

Sodium 244 mg

11%

Carbohydrates 28 g

9%

Protein 31 g

62%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Keyword bourbon, chicken, maple

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