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Maple Bourbon Pecan Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 51 reviews

Maple Bourbon Pecan Chicken is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken thighs seared to golden perfection and simmered in a rich, sweet-savory sauce made from bourbon, pure maple syrup, pecans, and a blend of tangy and aromatic ingredients. This gluten-free recipe balances the warmth of bourbon with the crunch of pecans and a touch of rosemary, making it a perfect entrée for a cozy dinner.

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 GF)
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed between your fingers

Instructions

  1. Season chicken: In a shallow dish, add the gluten-free flour and season generously with salt and pepper. Dredge each chicken thigh in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess, then place them on a plate ready for cooking.
  2. Prepare sauce mixture: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, pure maple syrup, chopped pecans, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, gluten-free tamari, and dried rosemary. Set this sauce mixture aside while you cook the chicken.
  3. Cook chicken thighs: Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a 12″ cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the chicken thighs and sear them without overcrowding the pan, cooking for 1-2 minutes on one side until golden brown. Flip the chicken and sear the other side until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate; they do not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
  4. Deglaze with bourbon: Remove the skillet from heat and carefully pour in the bourbon, as it will immediately boil from the residual heat. Stir gently to scrape any browned bits off the skillet bottom, then return the skillet to medium heat.
  5. Simmer with sauce: Add the prepared maple syrup sauce mixture to the skillet. Turn the heat up to bring the liquid to a simmer, then reduce to medium low. Nestle the chicken thighs back into the skillet, cover loosely with foil, and simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce has reduced and the chicken is cooked through. Flip the chicken once or twice while cooking to coat in the sauce evenly.
  6. Serve: Plate the chicken thighs and spoon the reduced sauce with pecans over the top. Serve warm for a delicious, hearty meal.

Notes

  • Use pure maple syrup and not pancake syrup for authentic flavor and natural sweetness.
  • If gluten-free is not required, you can substitute regular flour and soy sauce instead of Tamari.
  • Be careful when adding bourbon to the hot skillet as it will flame or boil immediately; pour slowly and stand back.
  • Cast iron skillet is recommended for even searing and heat retention but any heavy-bottomed skillet works.
  • Simmering time can be adjusted slightly depending on the thickness of chicken thighs; always check for doneness.

Keywords: Maple Bourbon Chicken, Pecan Chicken, Gluten Free Chicken Recipe, Cozy Dinner, Cast Iron Skillet Chicken, Sweet and Savory Chicken

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