Beer Bourbon BBQ Chicken Thighs

Beer Bourbon BBQ Chicken Thighs

Tender chicken thighs coated in rich, smoky-sweet BBQ sauce.

These Beer Bourbon BBQ Chicken Thighs bring bold Southern flavor to your weeknight dinner or weekend cookout. Tender chicken thighs are coated in Sweet Home Beer Bourbon Barbecue Sauce, then baked or grilled until juicy and caramelized with a glossy, smoky glaze. The combination of rich barbecue sauce, a hint of beer warmth, and perfectly charred edges makes this dish a crowd favorite — and easy enough for any night of the week. Serve with your favorite sides for a complete feast that’s comfort food with depth.

Yields: 4 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes (plus optional marinating time)
Cook time: 25-35 minutes

Make Ahead (Optional Marinating Step)

  • For deeper flavor, whisk together:
  • Add chicken thighs and marinate 2–4 hours before cooking.
  • Pat lightly dry before baking or grilling, then proceed with the glaze.

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless or bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or your preferred cooking oil)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup Sweet Home Beer Bourbon Barbecue Sauce (plus more for serving)
  • Optional chicken marinade (at least 30 minutes):
    • 1/4 cup olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat Grill and Oven:
    Preheat your grill to medium heat. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

  2. Grill Chicken:
    Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade (if using) and pat them dry. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken thighs over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes per side for boneless, skinless, or 5-7 minutes per side for bone-in, skin-on, until they have nice grill marks and are partially cooked but not fully done.

  3. Sauce and Finish in Oven:
    Transfer the partially grilled chicken thighs to a baking dish. Brush both sides generously with the Sweet Home Beer Bourbon Barbecue Sauce.
  4. Bake:
    Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes (for boneless, skinless) or 20-25 minutes (for bone-in, skin-on), or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). 
  5. Rest and Serve:
    Let the chicken thighs rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve hot with extra barbecue sauce on the side, if desired.

Enjoy your delicious grilled and oven-finished barbecue chicken thighs! They're great with classic Southern sides like coleslaw and baked beans.

Perfect Pairings

Serve these flavorful chicken thighs with sides and beverages that complement their sweet-smoky profile:

  • Creamy coleslaw — a crisp, refreshing contrast to the rich, sweet glaze
  • Grilled corn on the cob — smoky sweetness that pairs perfectly with barbecue
  • Buttermilk mashed potatoes — classic comfort to soak up extra sauce
  • Sweet potato fries — a touch of sweetness with crunchy texture
  • Baked beans — earthy depth and sweetness with a BBQ vibe
  • Sweet Home White Muscadine Juice — a classic Southern drink to wash it all down
  • Cornbread or biscuits — soft, buttery staples on a BBQ plate
  • Sweet Home Hillbilly Pickles or Sweet Home Pickled Okra — bright acidity to cut richness
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