Bourbon Chicken Recipe
There you have it — my go-to bourbon chicken recipe that never fails to impress. It’s sticky, sweet, savory, and ridiculously simple. You don’t have to wait for your next mall food court visit — you can whip it up tonight in your own kitchen!
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- For the Bourbon Sauce:
- ¼ cup bourbon whiskey or apple juice for an alcohol-free version
- ¼ cup soy sauce use low-sodium if you like
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup chicken broth or water
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger grated
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes optional, for a bit of heat
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water slurry, to thicken
- 2 green onions sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken (5 mins)
- Pat your chicken dry and cut into bite-sized pieces. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Sear the Chicken (7–8 mins)
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces in a single layer. Sear until browned and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Make the Sauce (3–4 mins)
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and ginger — sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, broth, and pepper flakes. Stir and bring to a gentle boil.
- Thicken the Sauce (5 mins)
- In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Slowly stir the slurry into the simmering sauce. Cook until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze.
- Combine & Simmer (5 mins)
- Return the chicken to the pan, tossing it to coat in the sauce. Let it bubble for a few more minutes to soak in all that flavor.
- Serve & Garnish (1 min)
- Spoon over steamed rice, sprinkle with green onions — and you’re done!
Notes
Use thighs for extra tender and juicy meat. Swap bourbon with apple juice for a family-friendly version. Adjust red pepper flakes for your heat level. The sauce actually gets better if you make it a few hours ahead. Serve with rice or noodles and garnish with sesame seeds if you like!