Sizzling Bourbon Chicken Recipe: Sweet and Savory Magic

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this mouthwatering bourbon chicken recipe delivers pure culinary magic.

Tender chicken pieces glazed with a rich, sweet-savory sauce will make your taste buds dance.

The blend of soy sauce, brown sugar, and smooth bourbon creates an irresistible coating that clings perfectly to each morsel.

Home cooks adore how quickly this dish comes together with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor.

Weeknight meals never looked so delicious and sophisticated.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of sweet and tangy notes that will have everyone asking for seconds.

You’ll want to add this recipe to your regular rotation for its incredible simplicity and crowd-pleasing taste.

Easy & Delicious Bourbon Chicken: Sticky-Sweet Dinner

• This bourbon chicken recipe offers a speedy solution for busy home cooks, delivering restaurant-quality flavor without complex techniques.
• Flexible ingredients allow simple adjustments for personal taste preferences or dietary needs, making it adaptable for various cooking styles.
• The balanced sweet and savory sauce appeals to both kids and adults, creating a crowd-pleasing meal that brings everyone together around the dinner table.
• Using just one skillet reduces cleanup time, providing a convenient cooking experience with maximum taste and minimal effort.

Must-Have Ingredients For Bourbon Chicken

• Chicken: Tender pieces that form the main protein of the dish.

• Cornstarch: Helps create a light, crispy coating and thickens the sauce.

• Onion, Garlic, Ginger: Provides a fragrant and flavorful base for the sauce.

• Soy Sauce: Adds depth and saltiness to the dish.
• Chicken Broth: Creates a rich liquid base for the sauce.
• Bourbon: Adds a distinctive, warm flavor to the recipe.
• Brown Sugar: Brings sweetness and helps caramelize the sauce.
• Vinegar: Provides a tangy balance to the sweet and savory flavors.

• Oil: Used for cooking chicken and aromatics.

• Crushed Red Pepper: Adds a subtle heat to the sauce.

• Green Onions: Provides a fresh, sharp finish to the dish.

• Rice: Serves as a perfect base for the bourbon chicken.

Tools For Making Sticky Chicken

• 12-inch skillet: Large, wide pan perfect for searing chicken and creating the sauce.
• Medium bowl: Crucial for tossing chicken with cornstarch and mixing ingredients.
• Small bowl: Essential for preparing the bourbon sauce mixture.
• Slotted spoon: Helps transfer browned chicken without excess oil.
• Measuring tablespoon: Ensures accurate ingredient amounts for cornstarch and oil.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients in the skillet.
• Cutting board: Useful for chopping green onions and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Needed for chopping green onions and any ingredient prep.

Steps To Flavor-Packed Bourbon Chicken

Step 1: Prep the Chicken Toss chicken pieces with cornstarch in a mixing bowl until each piece is evenly coated, creating a light protective layer that will help create a deliciously crispy exterior when cooking.

Step 2: Sear the Protein Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Carefully add chicken pieces and cook until they develop a beautiful golden-brown color.

Use a slotted spoon to transfer the browned chicken to a separate plate, keeping the flavorful bits in the pan.

Step 3: Build Flavor Base In the same skillet, add fresh oil and introduce aromatic ingredients:

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic
• Freshly grated ginger

Sauté these ingredients until they become soft and release their fragrant oils, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Create Magical Sauce Whisk together in a separate bowl:

• Cornstarch
• Soy sauce
• Chicken broth
• Bourbon
• Brown sugar
• Rice vinegar
• Crushed red pepper flakes

Blend until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Step 5: Sauce It Up Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the aromatics.

Stir continuously and cook until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, creating a rich and luxurious coating.

Step 6: Reunite Protein and Sauce Gently return the seared chicken pieces to the skillet.

Toss and coat each piece thoroughly in the bourbon sauce, allowing the flavors to meld together for about 2 minutes.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve Plate the bourbon chicken over fluffy white rice.

Sprinkle with freshly chopped green onions for a pop of color and a slight oniony crunch.

Tips For Juicy, Tender Chicken Pieces

• Toss chicken in cornstarch to create a light, crispy exterior that helps the sauce cling beautifully.
• Adjust crushed red pepper amount to match your heat preference, from mild to fiery hot.
• Use a quality bourbon for richer, more complex taste that elevates the entire dish.
• Chop ingredients and mix sauce beforehand to streamline cooking and reduce kitchen stress.
• Simmer sauce until it reaches a glossy, thick consistency for maximum flavor absorption.

Chicken Dish Variations For Fun

• Gluten-Free Bourbon Chicken: Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Bourbon Chicken: Swap brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener and serve over cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice.
• Spicy Bourbon Chicken: Increase crushed red pepper amount or add sriracha sauce for extra heat and bold flavor.
• Non-Alcoholic Version: Substitute bourbon with apple juice or chicken broth, maintaining the same rich cooking technique.

Serving Bourbon Chicken With Rice Or More

• Zesty Plating Paradise: Serve over fluffy white rice for a classic comfort meal that soaks up all the delicious bourbon sauce.
• Southern Comfort Twist: Pair with creamy mashed potatoes or buttery cornbread to complement the rich, tangy chicken flavors.
• Fresh Garnish Delight: Sprinkle crisp, chopped green onions on top for a bright, sharp contrast that adds color and fresh bite to the dish.
• Veggie Sidekick Option: Add steamed broccoli or roasted asparagus to create a balanced, nutritious meal with vibrant green vegetables.

Storing Chicken For Quick Meals

• Store leftover bourbon chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Ensure container is clean and moisture-free to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, label with date, and store for up to 3 months. Flat storage saves freezer space and helps maintain quality.
• Place chicken in microwave-safe dish, sprinkle few drops of water to prevent drying. Cover with microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warm.

FAQs

• What is bourbon chicken?

Bourbon chicken is a popular Asian-inspired dish with chicken cooked in a sweet and tangy sauce, typically made with bourbon, soy sauce, and brown sugar, originating from American Chinese cuisine.

• Is bourbon chicken spicy?

This recipe has a mild heat level from crushed red pepper, providing a gentle warmth without overwhelming spiciness. You can adjust the amount of red pepper to suit your taste preference.

• Do I need to use actual bourbon in the recipe?

While bourbon adds depth of flavor, you can substitute with apple juice or chicken broth if you prefer a non-alcoholic version. The key is maintaining the sauce’s sweet and savory balance.

Bourbon Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Louisiana-inspired bourbon chicken delivers a tangy, sweet flavor profile that brings restaurant-quality dining to home kitchens. Home cooks can easily prepare this classic dish with simple ingredients and minimal cooking time.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 1.5 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut in 1-inch pieces

Liquid and Seasoning Components:

• 1/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1/3 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup bourbon (or apple juice)
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar

Dry Ingredients and Aromatics:

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Serving Components:

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 green onions, sliced

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Instructions

1. Coat chicken pieces evenly with cornstarch, ensuring each morsel is lightly dusted for optimal sauce adherence and crispy texture.
2. Sizzle chicken in a hot skillet with oil over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes, browning exterior until golden and developing rich caramelized edges. Remove chicken and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, sauté aromatic onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger until translucent and releasing fragrant notes, approximately 2 minutes.
4. Whisk together cornstarch, soy sauce, chicken broth, bourbon, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and crushed red pepper to create a complex, layered sauce with sweet and tangy undertones.
5. Pour sauce mixture into skillet, stirring continuously until liquid transforms into a glossy, thickened consistency that coats the back of a spoon, about 3-4 minutes.
6. Reintroduce browned chicken to the skillet, gently folding to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated with the rich, glossy sauce and heated through completely.
7. Transfer bourbon-glazed chicken atop fluffy rice, garnishing with thinly sliced green onions for a fresh, vibrant finish that adds color and slight sharpness to the dish.

Notes

• Cornstarch Coating Helps create a light, crispy exterior on the chicken while thickening the sauce for a glossy finish.
• Oil Temperature Critical for achieving golden-brown chicken without burning; use medium-high heat and watch carefully.
• Bourbon Substitution Can swap bourbon with apple juice or chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version that still delivers rich flavor.
• Spice Customization Adjust crushed red pepper to control heat level, making the dish mild or fiery based on personal preference.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 53 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg