Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Bourbon Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish known for its sweet and savory sauce made with bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, and a variety of spices. The chicken is marinated, seared, and then simmered in this rich sauce until perfectly glazed. It’s an easy-to-make, flavorful dish that pairs wonderfully with rice or vegetables, perfect for a weeknight meal or a special gathering.

Equipment:

• Large skillet or wok
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Small bowl for marinating

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or vegetable oil)
• ½ cup bourbon (you can substitute with apple juice or water for a non-alcoholic version)
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or ½ teaspoon ground ginger)
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Sliced green onions (for garnish)
• Cooked white rice (for serving)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:
   Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season lightly with salt and pepper.
2. Make the Bourbon Sauce:
   In a small bowl, combine the bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until the sugar is dissolved and the ingredients are well combined.
3. Cook the Chicken:
   Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides and cooked through.
4. Simmer in the Sauce:
   Once the chicken is cooked, pour the bourbon sauce over the chicken. Stir to coat the chicken evenly and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the chicken with a glaze.
5. Optional Thickening:
   If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the simmering sauce and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
6. Serve:
   Once the chicken is well coated and the sauce has thickened, remove from heat. Serve the Bourbon Chicken over a bed of cooked white rice and garnish with sliced green onions.

Tips:

• For extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken in the bourbon sauce for about 30 minutes before cooking, although it’s not necessary.
• Adjust the sweetness or saltiness by adding more brown sugar or soy sauce, depending on your taste.
• Serve with sautéed vegetables or a side salad for a well-rounded meal.

Bourbon Chicken is a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and a little bit of heat, all brought together with a rich, flavorful sauce. This dish is simple to prepare but offers an impressive and delicious meal that’s sure to be a hit with your family and guests. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, Bourbon Chicken will satisfy your cravings for something savory and satisfying. Enjoy!

Bourbon Chicken Recipe

This Bourbon Chicken recipe combines tender chicken pieces with a sweet and savory bourbon sauce, creating a deliciously rich and flavorful dish that’s perfect for dinner or entertaining.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Equipment

• Large skillet or wok
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Small bowl for marinating

Ingredients

  

• 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
• ½ cup bourbon you can substitute with apple juice or water for a non-alcoholic version
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger or ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional, for heat
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch optional, for thickening
• 2 tablespoons water optional, for thickening
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Sliced green onions for garnish
• Cooked white rice for serving

Instructions

 

• Prepare the Chicken:
• Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season lightly with salt and pepper.
• Make the Bourbon Sauce:
• In a small bowl, combine the bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until the sugar is dissolved and the ingredients are well combined.
• Cook the Chicken:
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides and cooked through.
• Simmer in the Sauce:
• Once the chicken is cooked, pour the bourbon sauce over the chicken. Stir to coat the chicken evenly and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the chicken with a glaze.
• Optional Thickening:
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the simmering sauce and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
• Serve:
• Once the chicken is well coated and the sauce has thickened, remove from heat. Serve the Bourbon Chicken over a bed of cooked white rice and garnish with sliced green onions.