Peach Bourbon BBQ Chicken

Sweet, Smoky, Sticky and Made for Summer Nights

Juicy grilled chicken gets brushed with a peachy bourbon BBQ glaze that caramelizes over the heat into something smoky, sweet and just a little tangy. Fresh peaches hit the grill right alongside the chicken, picking up those gorgeous, charred edges while staying soft and juicy inside. It’s the kind of meal that feels special without requiring a pile of ingredients or half the campground kitchen.

Serves: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 2½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¾ tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Peach Bourbon BBQ Sauce

• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• ½ cup finely chopped fresh peaches
• ¼ cup peach preserves
• 3 Tbsp bourbon
• 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ tsp smoked paprika

For the Grilled Peaches

• 3 ripe but firm peaches, halved or cut into thick wedges
• 1 tsp olive oil

For Finishing

• Fresh basil or parsley
• Extra warm Peach Bourbon BBQ Sauce

Directions

1️⃣ Make the Peach Bourbon BBQ Sauce

Add BBQ sauce, chopped peaches, peach preserves, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, garlic and smoked paprika to a small saucepan.

Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.

Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peaches soften and the sauce thickens slightly.

Remove from heat and set aside.

2️⃣ Season the Chicken

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.

Drizzle with olive oil, then season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper.

Rub the seasoning over both sides of the chicken.

3️⃣ Fire Up the Grill

Preheat a grill, Blackstone or grill pan to medium-high heat.

Place the chicken on the hot surface and cook for about 5–6 minutes on the first side.

Flip and cook for another 4–5 minutes.

4️⃣ Get It Sticky

Brush the chicken generously with the Peach Bourbon BBQ Sauce.

Cook for another 1–2 minutes per side, brushing with more sauce as needed, until the glaze gets sticky and caramelized.

The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

5️⃣ Grill the Peaches

Lightly brush the peaches with olive oil.

Place them cut-side down on the grill and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened slightly with dark grill marks.

Flip and cook for another minute if desired.

Don’t overcook them—we want them soft around the edges but still holding their shape.

6️⃣ Plate It Up

Arrange the glazed chicken and grilled peaches on a large serving platter.

Spoon a little extra warm Peach Bourbon BBQ Sauce over the chicken.

Finish with fresh basil or parsley.

Then stand back because this one looks way fancier than the amount of work you actually did. 😂

RVD Signature Twists

• Peach Jalapeño Heat – Add 1 finely chopped jalapeño to the sauce or finish the chicken with fresh jalapeño slices.
• Extra Bourbon Kick – Add another tablespoon of bourbon to the sauce after simmering for a stronger bourbon flavor.
• Smoky Campfire Peach – Add a pinch of chipotle powder or 1 minced chipotle pepper in adobo for deeper smoky heat.
• Honey Peach Glaze – Replace the brown sugar with 1 tablespoon honey for a softer, rounder sweetness.
• Peach Bourbon Pork- Use the same sauce on grilled pork chops or pork tenderloin. The peach and bourbon combination works beautifully with pork.

RV-Friendly Notes

✔ Grill, Blackstone or stovetop friendly
✔ Sauce can be made ahead
✔ Uses simple pantry ingredients
✔ Minimal cleanup
✔ Great for outdoor cooking
✔ Easy to scale up for company
✔ Fresh peaches make it feel seasonal and special
✔ Leftover sauce is excellent on burgers, pork or sandwiches

Estimated Nutrition

Per Serving — Serves 6

Calories: ~430
Protein: ~36g
Carbohydrates: ~28g
Fat: ~18g
Fiber: ~2g
Sugar: ~22g

Nutrition will vary depending on the BBQ sauce, peach preserves and amount of glaze used.

❤️ Why RVers Love It

This is campground cooking with a little swagger. The chicken is juicy, the glaze gets smoky and sticky on the grill and the peaches bring just enough sweetness to make the whole thing feel different from ordinary BBQ chicken. Best of all, most of the work happens outside, which means less heat in the RV and fewer dishes waiting in the sink afterward.