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Irish Whiskey Glazed Chicken

Irish whiskey glazed chicken thighs in a rustic cast iron skillet

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This Irish Whiskey Glazed Chicken is a one-pan wonder that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. The secret is adding the whiskey off the heat to create a non-bitter, deeply flavorful glaze with notes of vanilla and oak. Tender chicken thighs are seared and simmered in a sticky, sweet, and savory pub-style sauce for a cozy dinner ready in 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 cup Irish whiskey (like Jameson)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
  • Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer (work in batches if needed) and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer chicken to a plate.
  3. Reduce heat to low and remove the skillet from the heat. Pour in the Irish whiskey and let it sit off the heat for 15 seconds. Return the skillet to low heat.
  4. Add honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and apple cider vinegar to the skillet. Whisk together, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Return the seared chicken and any juices to the skillet, nestling it into the glaze. Spoon glaze over the top. Cook for 5-7 minutes, turning once, until chicken is cooked through (165°F) and sauce is sticky and glossy.
  6. Turn off the heat. Add the cold butter to the skillet and swirl until melted into the glaze.
  7. Let the chicken rest in the skillet for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, use tamari or coconut aminos. If using chicken breasts, reduce final cook time by 3-5 minutes to prevent dryness. No whiskey? Substitute with 1/2 cup chicken broth plus 1 extra tablespoon brown sugar and a splash of vanilla extract. Always pat chicken dry before searing for the best crust.

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