Marry This Pioneer Woman Peach BBQ Chicken Recipe is a sweet and savory recipe, which is made with peach preserves and a splash of whiskey. It’s a great choice for feeding a crowd, ready in about 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Jump to RecipePioneer Woman Peach BBQ Chicken Recipe Ingredients
- 12 whole Chicken Thighs, Bone-in, Skin-on
- 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
- 2 Tbsp. Butter
- 1 whole Yellow Onion, Diced
- 1 1/2 c. Whiskey
- 12 oz. fluid Barbecue Sauce
- 1 jar Peach Preserves
- 1/2 c. Water
- 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
- 4 cloves Garlic, Peeled
- 3 whole Green Onions, Sliced Thin, for garnish
How To Make Pioneer Woman Peach BBQ Chicken
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 300°F. In a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat.
- Brown the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Working in batches, place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot pot and brown them well on both sides. Remove the browned chicken to a separate plate and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Pour off about half of the grease from the pot. Add the diced onions to the remaining grease and sauté until they soften and become translucent.
- Build the Sauce: Carefully pour the whiskey into the pot to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Let the whiskey simmer and reduce slightly for a minute or two.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the barbecue sauce, peach preserves, water, Worcestershire sauce, and whole garlic cloves. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Bake the Chicken: Return the browned chicken thighs to the pot, nestling them into the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then cover the pot and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 1 1/2 hours, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pot from the oven. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions before serving.
Recipe Tips
- How do I get the best flavor? Don’t skip browning the chicken! Searing the chicken thighs in the hot pan before baking creates a deep, rich flavor and helps to render the skin, which is essential for the final dish.
- How can I make the sauce thicker? If you prefer a thicker, stickier sauce, you can remove the cooked chicken from the pot after baking and place the pot back on the stovetop. Let the sauce simmer over medium heat for 5-10 minutes until it has reduced to your desired consistency.
- Can I adjust the sweetness? Yes. Taste the sauce after you’ve mixed it but before you return the chicken to the pot. If you’d like it sweeter, you can add more peach preserves. If you’d like it less sweet, you can add a little more Worcestershire sauce or a splash of vinegar.
- Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs? You can, but you will need to reduce the baking time significantly, likely to 30-40 minutes, to prevent the chicken from drying out. Bone-in, skin-on thighs are recommended for the best flavor and moisture.
What To Serve With Peach BBQ Chicken
This saucy and flavorful chicken is perfect with classic BBQ side dishes.
- Creamy Coleslaw
- Cornbread or Buttermilk Biscuits
- Baked Beans
- Macaroni and Cheese
- A simple green salad
How To Store Peach BBQ Chicken
Store: Place leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to meld and are often even better the next day. Reheat: Reheat gently in a covered pot on the stovetop over low heat, or in the microwave, until warmed through.
Peach BBQ Chicken Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Sugar: 20g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Is it necessary to use whiskey in the recipe?
The whiskey adds a deep, smoky complexity to the sauce, and the alcohol cooks off during the simmering and baking process. However, if you prefer not to use it, you can substitute it with an equal amount of low-sodium chicken broth or apple cider.
What kind of BBQ sauce should I use?
A classic, smoky BBQ sauce works best to balance the sweetness of the peach preserves. Avoid using a very sweet BBQ sauce, as the final dish may become overly sugary.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes, this recipe is great for a slow cooker. Brown the chicken and sauté the onions as directed on the stovetop. Deglaze the pan with the whiskey, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender.
Try More Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Bowtie Chicken Alfredo Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Butterflied Chicken Legs Recipe
Pioneer Woman Peach BBQ Chicken Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy12
servings20
minutes1
hour30
minutes430
kcalTender, juicy, bone-in chicken thighs are browned and then slow-baked in a rich, sweet, and savory barbecue sauce made with peach preserves and a splash of whiskey.
Ingredients
12 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
2 Tbsp. olive oil & 2 Tbsp. butter
1 yellow onion, diced
1 1/2 cups whiskey
12 oz. barbecue sauce
1 jar peach preserves
1/2 cup water
2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
4 whole garlic cloves
3 green onions, sliced
Directions
- Preheat oven to 300°F. Heat oil and butter in a heavy pot.
- Brown chicken thighs on both sides and set aside.
- Pour off half the grease, then sauté the diced onion in the pot until soft.
- Deglaze the pot with whiskey, scraping up any browned bits.
- Stir in BBQ sauce, peach preserves, water, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic.
- Return the chicken to the pot, bring to a simmer, cover, and bake for 1.5 hours.
- Garnish with green onions before serving.
Notes
- Ensuring the chicken skin is well-browned before baking is key to the best flavor and texture.
- For a thicker sauce, remove the chicken after baking and simmer the sauce on the stovetop for 5-10 minutes.v
- You can substitute chicken broth for the whiskey if you prefer.
- This dish is great for making ahead, as the flavors improve overnight.
