The Perfect Bourbon Chicken Recipe for Weeknight Dinners

Mastering this easy bourbon chicken recipe promises a delightful culinary adventure that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Tender chicken pieces soak up a rich, glossy sauce that balances sweet and tangy notes perfectly.

Home cooks can confidently whip up this restaurant-quality dish without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

The magic happens when simple pantry staples combine to create something truly spectacular.

Marinating transforms ordinary poultry into a mouthwatering meal that everyone will request again and again.

Let’s dive into a recipe that proves delicious can also mean effortless.

What Makes Bourbon Chicken So Tempting

• Savor Flavor-Packed Dish: This bourbon chicken delivers intense, restaurant-quality taste with minimal kitchen effort.
• Speedy Meal Solution: Quick preparation and cooking make this recipe perfect for busy weeknights when you want delicious food without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customize with Ease: Adjust spice levels by adding or reducing red pepper flakes, allowing personalization for different taste preferences and heat tolerances.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Minimal dishes and straightforward cooking process mean less cleanup and more time enjoying your meal with family or friends.

Ingredients You’ll Need For Bourbon Chicken

• Chicken: Tender pieces of meat that form the base of this flavorful dish.

• Bourbon: Adds rich, deep flavor to the sauce.
• Soy Sauce: Provides a savory, salty base for the sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Brings sweetness and helps caramelize the sauce.
• Ketchup: Adds tangy complexity to the sauce.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Introduces a subtle acidic balance.

• Garlic, Ginger: Provide warm, aromatic depth to the sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Offers a gentle heat (optional).

• Cornstarch, Water: Create a smooth, glossy sauce.

• Olive Oil: Used for initial chicken cooking.

• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Add fresh flavor and visual appeal.

Cooking Instructions For Bourbon Chicken

Step 1: Sizzle The Chicken

Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet on medium-high heat.

Carefully place chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and fully done.

Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate.

Step 2: Bubble The Bourbon

Pour bourbon into the same skillet and let it simmer, allowing alcohol to evaporate completely.

Step 3: Create Flavor-Packed Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Ketchup
• Apple cider vinegar
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger
• Red pepper flakes

Simmer these ingredients for 5 minutes until the sauce starts getting thick and fragrant.

Step 4: Thicken The Sauce

Whisk water and cornstarch together to form a smooth slurry.

Pour this mixture into the simmering sauce and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until sauce reaches desired consistency.

Step 5: Reunite Chicken With Sauce

Return chicken pieces back to the skillet.

Gently toss to ensure every piece gets completely coated with the delicious sauce.

Warm the chicken through for another 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds on top.

Plate and enjoy your mouthwatering bourbon chicken immediately.

Tips To Bring Out The Best In Bourbon Chicken

• Toast whole spices like ginger and garlic before adding to the sauce to release deeper, more complex flavor profiles.
• Replace bourbon with apple juice or chicken broth for a kid-friendly version without losing the rich, caramelized taste.
• Whisk cornstarch slurry thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth, glossy sauce that clings beautifully to chicken.
• Cook extra chicken and sauce, then store separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days, maintaining maximum flavor and texture.
• Swap brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener and serve over cauliflower rice for a diabetic and keto-friendly alternative.

Variations To Explore With Bourbon Chicken

• No-Alcohol Version: Replace bourbon with apple juice or chicken broth for a family-friendly sauce that maintains similar flavor depth.
• Spicy Kick Version: Increase red pepper flakes or add sriracha sauce for those who enjoy extra heat in their chicken dish.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener and serve over cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice to reduce carbohydrate content.
• Vegetarian Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, pressing and cubing the protein before following the same cooking method for a plant-based protein option.

How To Serve Bourbon Chicken With Style

• Flavor-Packed Plate Pairings: Serve over fluffy white rice to soak up the delicious bourbon sauce.
• Veggie Companions: Roast broccoli, carrots, or asparagus as a colorful and nutritious side dish that complements the chicken's rich flavors.
• Texture Contrast: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top for a crunchy, fresh finish that adds visual appeal and extra zest.
• Weekend Feast Idea: Create a complete Asian-inspired meal by adding cucumber salad or steamed edamame alongside the bourbon chicken for a restaurant-quality dinner at home.

Storage Tips For Leftover Bourbon Chicken

• Store leftover bourbon chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the chicken remains fresh and flavorful.
• Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. Freeze for up to 3 months, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to maintain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir gently for 3-4 minutes until heated thoroughly.

FAQs

• What makes bourbon chicken different from other chicken dishes?

Bourbon chicken stands out with its sweet and tangy sauce that combines bourbon, soy sauce, and brown sugar, creating a unique flavor profile that’s both rich and slightly spicy.

• Can I use a different type of alcohol if I don't have bourbon?

While bourbon gives the dish its signature taste, you can substitute with whiskey or rum. If avoiding alcohol completely, use chicken broth with a splash of apple cider vinegar for similar depth of flavor.

• Is this dish spicy?

The recipe has a mild heat from red pepper flakes, which you can adjust to your preference. You can completely omit them for a non-spicy version or add more for extra kick.

Easy Bourbon Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

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

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Description

Succulent bourbon chicken brings Southern comfort to your dinner table with a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. Kentucky-inspired sauce coats tender chicken pieces, offering a delightful meal you’ll crave again.

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Ingredients

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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 whiskey
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) soy sauce
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) ketchup
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Aromatics and Spices:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

Garnish:

• Sliced green onions
• Sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Sear chicken pieces in heated olive oil over medium-high heat until golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 5-7 minutes. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
2. Deglaze the skillet with bourbon, allowing the alcohol to evaporate for 2-3 minutes while scraping any browned bits from the pan.
3. Create the sauce by combining soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes until it slightly reduces.
4. Prepare a cornstarch slurry by whisking water and cornstarch together, then slowly incorporate into the simmering sauce to thicken, continuing to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
5. Reintroduce the cooked chicken to the skillet, gently coating each piece with the glossy sauce and warming through for another 2-3 minutes.
6. Finish the dish by sprinkling fresh green onion slices and toasted sesame seeds over the chicken for added texture and visual appeal.

Notes

• Alcohol-Free Option: Substitute bourbon with apple juice or chicken broth to create a kid-friendly version without losing depth of flavor.
• Sauce Consistency Control: Adjust cornstarch slurry gradually to achieve desired sauce thickness, adding small amounts to prevent over-thickening.
• Protein Versatility: Swap chicken with tofu, shrimp, or beef for diverse dietary preferences while maintaining similar cooking techniques.
• Spice Customization: Reduce or increase red pepper flakes to personalize heat level, catering to individual spice tolerance and preferences.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 230 kcal
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg