🍗🍯 Maple Bourbon Bacon Chicken & Sweet Potato Bake 🥓🍠
This is the kind of cozy American dinner that tastes like fall in one pan. Juicy chicken, caramelized sweet potatoes, smoky bacon, and a sticky maple-bourbon glaze come together under a layer of bubbling cheddar for the perfect sweet-and-savory combination.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Sweet Potatoes
- 2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper
For the Maple Bourbon Glaze
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup bourbon
- 2 tbsp BBQ sauce
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp butter
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
For the Topping
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Toss the sweet potatoes with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Roast for 25–30 minutes, turning halfway through, until browned around the edges.
- Season the chicken with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the chicken for 5–7 minutes until beautifully browned. Remove and set aside.
- Add maple syrup, bourbon, BBQ sauce, Dijon, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and red pepper flakes to the skillet.
- Simmer for 4–5 minutes until the glaze reduces and becomes glossy.
- Stir in the butter, then return the chicken to the skillet and coat it thoroughly in the glaze.
- Transfer the roasted sweet potatoes to a baking dish.
- Spoon the sticky maple-bourbon chicken and remaining glaze over the potatoes.
- Sprinkle with cheddar and crispy bacon.
- Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Finish with green onions and parsley before serving.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6
