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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Coat chicken pieces evenly with cornstarch, ensuring each morsel is lightly dusted for optimal sauce adherence and crispy texture.
- 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.
- In the same skillet, sauté aromatic onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger until translucent and releasing fragrant notes, approximately 2 minutes.
- 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.
- 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.
- Reintroduce browned chicken to the skillet, gently folding to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated with the rich, glossy sauce and heated through completely.
- 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