Honey Bourbon Grilled Chicken Thighs
Honey Bourbon Grilled Chicken Thighs are bone-in pieces marinated in a mix of barbecue sauce, honey, bourbon, lemon juice, and hot sauce, then grilled to a tender, juicy finish with a caramelized exterior. The marinade blends sweetness, acidity, and spice, complementing the natural richness of the chicken thighs. Grilling over medium-high heat develops a lightly browned skin, while finishing at lower heat ensures the meat is fully cooked and moist. This dish suits casual meals where bold flavors and grilled texture are welcome.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1 ½ Tablespoons bourbon
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce Frank’s Red Hot Sauce brand
- salt to taste
- 6 chicken thighs bone in
Instructions
- Mix barbeque sauce, honey, bourbon, lemon juice, Frank’s Hot Sauce and salt together in a mixing bowl.
- Trim excess fat from the chicken if needed. Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and mix to coat the meat.
- Allow chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours.
- Use this time to preheat your grill or gridle pan up to medium - high heat. You may also use a charcoal grill for indirect grilling.
- If using a grill or gridle pan, sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side or until the skin is light brown. If using a charcoal grill, use direct heat to grill for 3-4 minutes each side or until the skin is light brown.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low on the grill or gridle pan and cover the grill or grill pan and cook chicken until it reaches 165F/ 75C with a meat thermometer. Instead of finishing the meat on the grill or grill pan, you may want to transfer chicken thighs to charcoal grill over indirect heat and cook until chicken reaches 165F/75C.
- Transfer chicken to a plate once finished cooking and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Remove chicken skin before marinating to reduce fat and calories if desired.
- Adjust sweetness of barbecue sauce by adding lemon juice or extra honey to taste.
- Marinate chicken from 30 minutes up to 24 hours for deeper flavor infusion.
- To achieve very tender, fall-off-the-bone thighs, cook until internal temperature reaches 180-190°F (82-88°C).
- Omit bourbon or substitute for non-alcoholic options to make recipe suitable for children.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 227
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 227kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 21g | 7% |
| Protein | 22g | 44% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 107mg | 36% |
| Sodium | 486mg | 20% |
| Potassium | 360mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 18g | 36% |
| Vitamin A | 107IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 22mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.