Description
This Bourbon Chicken is a sweet, sticky, and savory dish featuring tender chicken coated in a rich bourbon-infused sauce. Despite its name, Bourbon Chicken is more of a Chinese-American takeout classic than a Southern dish! It’s super easy to make at home in just 30 minutes and pairs perfectly with rice or steamed veggies.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp cornstarch (for coating)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (or sesame oil)
For the Bourbon Sauce:
- 1/4 cup bourbon (or apple juice as a non-alcoholic substitute)
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional, for extra depth)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger (or 1 tsp fresh grated ginger)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry, for thickening)
For Garnish:
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
1. Cook the Chicken
- Toss the chicken pieces with 2 tbsp cornstarch to lightly coat them.
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Make the Bourbon Sauce
- In the same pan, reduce the heat to medium. Add the garlic and ginger and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the bourbon, scraping up any bits from the pan. Simmer for 1 minute to cook off the alcohol.
- Add the soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, hoisin sauce, red pepper flakes, and water. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer for 3 minutes.
3. Thicken the Sauce & Combine
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Simmer for 2 more minutes, then remove from heat.
4. Serve & Garnish
- Serve hot over steamed white rice, fried rice, or vegetables.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Non-Alcoholic Version: Replace bourbon with apple juice for a similar sweet depth of flavor.
- Extra Sticky Sauce: Add 1 tbsp honey for a thicker, stickier glaze.
- Want it Spicier? Increase red pepper flakes or add a splash of sriracha.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet for best results.
Nutrition
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg