The Best Bourbon Chicken Recipe for Weeknight Delights

Crafting a mouthwatering easy bourbon chicken recipe might just be the culinary adventure you’ve been searching for.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this delectable dish with its rich, caramelized glaze.

Succulent chicken pieces absorb a complex blend of sweet and tangy flavors that dance across your palate.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this meal comes together without sacrificing depth of taste.

Pantry staples like soy sauce and brown sugar create magic in mere minutes.

Each bite promises a perfect balance between smoky bourbon notes and tender meat.

Take your dinner from ordinary to extraordinary with this simple yet impressive recipe that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Easy Bourbon Chicken That’s Full of Flavor

• Savor Flavor Explosion: Bourbon chicken delivers a mouthwatering taste adventure with minimal cooking skills required.
• Customize with Ease: Adjust spice levels by controlling red pepper flakes, making the dish adaptable for different taste preferences from mild to bold.
• Versatile Serving Options: Pair with rice, noodles, or roasted vegetables to create a complete meal that satisfies everyone at the dinner table.

Ingredients for Easy Bourbon Chicken

• Chicken: Tender meat that serves as the primary protein for this delicious dish.

• Bourbon, Soy Sauce, Apple Juice: Flavorful liquid base that creates a rich and complex sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps caramelize the sauce.
• Ketchup, Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides tangy and sweet balance to the sauce.

• Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic ingredients that add depth and traditional Asian-inspired flavor.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient that brings a hint of spicy heat to the dish.

• Cornstarch, Water: Creates a slurry that helps thicken the sauce and give it a glossy texture.

• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Fresh toppings that add color, texture, and additional flavor to the finished dish.

• Olive Oil: Used to cook the chicken and prevent sticking to the skillet.

How to Cook Easy Bourbon Chicken

Step 1: Sizzle the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add chicken pieces and cook until they turn golden brown and are completely cooked through.

Transfer the chicken to a separate plate and set aside.

Step 2: Create the Flavorful Sauce

• Bourbon
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Apple juice
• Ketchup
• Apple cider vinegar
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Stir the ingredients and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 3: Reduce and Thicken the Sauce

Let the sauce cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing it to reduce and concentrate its flavors.

In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water to create a smooth slurry.

Step 4: Bind the Sauce

Pour the cornstarch mixture into the simmering sauce, stirring continuously.

Watch as the sauce transforms and becomes gloriously thick and glossy.

Step 5: Reunite Chicken and Sauce

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, gently tossing to ensure every piece gets completely coated in the rich bourbon sauce.

Step 6: Final Simmering

Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, letting the sauce cling to the chicken and become wonderfully sticky.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.

Serve over fluffy rice or tender noodles for a meal that’ll make taste buds dance.

Tips for Perfect Bourbon Chicken

• Use a heavy-bottomed skillet to ensure even heat distribution and perfect chicken browning.
• Whisk cornstarch slurry thoroughly to prevent lumps and achieve a silky smooth sauce texture.
• Adjust red pepper flakes based on heat preference – start with less and add gradually for personalized kick.
• Let chicken marinate in bourbon sauce for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance depth of flavor and tenderness.
• Replace regular soy sauce with low-sodium tamari for a gluten-free version that maintains rich umami taste.

Variations on Easy Bourbon Chicken

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Use gluten-free cornstarch and verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener. Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional rice.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Swap chicken with extra-firm tofu or seitan cubes. Press tofu to remove moisture before cooking to ensure crispy texture.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Increase red pepper flakes or add sriracha sauce for more heat. Include diced jalapeños during sauce preparation for additional spiciness.

Serving Easy Bourbon Chicken

• Flavor Burst Rice Bowl: Spoon the bourbon chicken over steamed jasmine rice, creating a delightful base that soaks up the rich, tangy sauce.
• Noodle Nest Delight: Twirl the chicken atop warm egg noodles or soba noodles for a satisfying Asian-inspired meal that brings comfort and excitement.
• Fresh Salad Topper: Slice the bourbon chicken and arrange over a crisp mixed green salad with cucumber and mandarin orange segments for a lighter option.
• Wrap It Up: Stuff the saucy chicken into warm tortillas or lettuce wraps for a quick and portable lunch that's packed with bold flavors.

Storing Easy Bourbon Chicken Properly

• Store leftover bourbon chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor integrity.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying. Cover with a damp paper towel and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a few tablespoons of water or additional sauce. Stir gently to distribute heat evenly and prevent scorching, heating until the chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.

FAQs

• Is bourbon chicken really made with bourbon?

Despite its name, bourbon chicken doesn’t always contain actual bourbon. The recipe is inspired by a dish from New Orleans’ Bourbon Street, but many versions use apple juice or chicken broth as a substitute.

• Can I make this recipe without alcohol?

Yes, you can easily substitute bourbon with apple juice or chicken broth. The key is to maintain the sweet and tangy flavor profile of the original sauce.

• How spicy is this bourbon chicken?

The recipe includes optional red pepper flakes, which add a mild heat. You can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes or omit them entirely to control the spice level.

• What makes the sauce so flavorful?

The combination of soy sauce, brown sugar, apple juice, ketchup, and vinegar creates a complex, sweet, and slightly tangy sauce that coats the chicken perfectly.

Easy Bourbon Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

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

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Description

Succulent bourbon chicken delivers a mouthwatering Southern-style dance of sweet and savory flavors that instantly transport diners to a cozy kitchen. Perfectly glazed tender meat promises a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) bourbon
• 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) soy sauce
• 1/4 cup (50 grams) brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) apple juice
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Cooking and Garnish Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
• Green onions (for garnish, optional)
• Sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)

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Instructions

1. Sear chicken pieces in a preheated skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and thoroughly cooked through. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
2. Deglaze the same skillet with a vibrant mixture of bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple juice, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and optional red pepper flakes. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.
3. Allow the sauce to reduce and concentrate flavors for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
4. Create a cornstarch slurry by whisking cornstarch with water until smooth, then gradually pour into the simmering sauce to enhance thickness and glossiness.
5. Reintroduce the seared chicken into the skillet, carefully coating each piece with the rich, caramelized bourbon sauce.
6. Continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes, ensuring the sauce clings perfectly to the chicken and reaches a sticky, luxurious consistency.
7. Elevate the dish by sprinkling freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds on top. Serve immediately over steamed rice or tender noodles for a complete meal.

Notes

• Adjust spice levels by reducing or eliminating red pepper flakes for sensitive palates, ensuring a milder flavor profile.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, maintaining the recipe’s rich taste.
• Swap chicken with tofu or plant-based protein alternatives for a vegetarian twist, marinating the protein beforehand to enhance absorption of bourbon sauce flavors.
• Prep ingredients in advance and store sauce separately to streamline cooking process, allowing for quick weeknight meal preparation.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 255 kcal
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 490 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 13 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg