Homemade Bourbon Chicken Recipe: Sweet & Tangy Magic
Crafting a mouthwatering easy bourbon chicken recipe sparks pure culinary excitement for home cooks everywhere.
Tender pieces of meat bathe in a rich, glossy sauce that whispers promises of incredible flavor.
Sweet and tangy notes dance across your palate with each delectable bite.
No complex techniques stand between you and restaurant-quality deliciousness right in your kitchen.
Marinating transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary meal that impresses without demanding hours of preparation.
Minimal ingredients combine to create maximum satisfaction, making this dish a weeknight dinner champion.
Grab your skillet and get ready to become the star chef your family can’t stop praising.
Easy Bourbon Chicken Flavor Profile
Ingredients List for Bourbon Chicken
Main Protein:Sauce Ingredients:Cooking and Thickening Ingredients:Stepwise Bourbon Chicken Cooking Guide
Step 1: Sizzle and Brown Chicken
Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Place chicken pieces into the pan and cook, turning occasionally, until each side develops a golden-brown color and looks deliciously crispy.
Step 2: Craft Flavor-Packed Sauce
Grab a mixing bowl and combine the following ingredients:Whisk everything together until the mixture looks smooth and well-blended.
Step 3: Simmer and Infuse
Pour the tantalizing sauce directly over the browned chicken in the skillet.
Allow the liquid to bubble gently and cook for several minutes, letting the flavors meld and the sauce reduce slightly.
Step 4: Thicken the Sauce
Create a quick cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with a small amount of water.
Stir this into the skillet and continue cooking until the sauce transforms into a glossy, clingy coating that hugs each chicken piece.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Remove the skillet from heat.
Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions on top for a burst of color and brightness. Serve the bourbon chicken over fluffy rice or tender noodles for a complete meal that will make taste buds dance.
Tips for Best Bourbon Chicken
Flavor Twists on Bourbon Chicken
Perfect Pairings with Bourbon Chicken
FAQs
The bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar create a sweet and tangy sauce that caramelizes and brings depth to the chicken’s taste.
While bourbon adds complexity, you can substitute it with chicken broth or apple juice if you prefer a non-alcoholic version that still maintains a similar flavor profile.
The red pepper flakes provide a mild heat, but you can adjust the amount or omit them entirely to control the spice level according to your preference.
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breast work well. Thighs tend to be more flavorful and tender, while breasts are leaner and cook quickly.
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Tasty Bourbon Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Succulent bourbon chicken delights palates with Southern-inspired flavors from Louisiana. Juicy chicken pieces glazed in sweet and tangy sauce promise a memorable meal for hungry diners.
Ingredients
Meat:
- 1 pound (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) bourbon
- 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) soy sauce
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Cooking and Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoons green onions
Instructions
- Sear chicken pieces in a hot skillet with olive oil until golden brown and caramelized, approximately 6-7 minutes, ensuring even coloration on all surfaces.
- Craft a vibrant sauce by combining bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, ginger, and optional red pepper flakes in a separate mixing bowl.
- Transfer the aromatic sauce over the seared chicken, allowing it to gently simmer and infuse the meat with deep, complex flavors for 8-10 minutes.
- Create a cornstarch slurry to enhance sauce consistency, stirring it into the skillet and cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until the liquid transforms into a glossy, clinging glaze.
- Once the sauce reaches the perfect thickness and chicken is thoroughly cooked, remove from heat and sprinkle with freshly chopped green onions for a bright, crisp garnish.
- Plate the bourbon-glazed chicken atop steamed rice or tender noodles, ensuring each serving is generously coated with the rich, caramelized sauce.
Notes
- Boost flavor by marinating chicken for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance bourbon sauce penetration.
- Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing red pepper flakes to suit personal heat preferences.
- For gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari and use gluten-free cornstarch to maintain recipe’s integrity.
- Create healthier option by using coconut sugar instead of brown sugar and swapping chicken thighs with lean chicken breast.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 293 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 860 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
John Conley
Founder & Culinary Storyteller
Expertise
Recipe Development, Culinary Writing, Home Cooking Techniques, Seasonal Ingredient Utilization
Education
Lane Community College, Eugene, OR
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focused on foundational cooking techniques, kitchen safety, and menu planning.
Gotham Writers Workshop, New York, NY
Course in Food Writing
Explored the art of crafting engaging culinary narratives and recipe development.
John grew up where food meant connection: big bowls, warm kitchens, and meals that told a story. After earning his Certificate in Culinary Arts from Lane Community College and diving deep into food writing at Gotham Writers Workshop, he found his calling: turning everyday recipes into something worth savoring.
At The Liffey, John’s focus is all about crafting dishes that feel easy, honest, and full of heart.