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.

Ingredients List for Bourbon Chicken

• Chicken: Tender and juicy protein that serves as the primary ingredient of the dish.

• Bourbon, Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar, Apple Cider Vinegar: A rich and complex sauce that provides sweet, tangy, and slightly boozy flavor to the chicken.
• Garlic Powder, Ginger: Aromatic spices that add depth and warmth to the sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient that brings a subtle heat to the dish.

• Olive Oil: Helps to brown the chicken and prevent sticking to the skillet.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce and creates a glossy coating for the chicken.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish that adds a bright, mild onion flavor and visual appeal.

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

• Bourbon
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Apple cider vinegar
• Garlic powder
• Ground ginger
• Red pepper flakes

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

• Swap bourbon with apple juice or chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version that keeps the same delicious flavor profile.
• Add extra red pepper flakes for a spicier kick or reduce them for a milder taste that suits sensitive palates.
• Marinate chicken for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance deeper flavors and ensure more tender meat texture.
• Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt levels and make the dish more diet-friendly for those watching sodium intake.
• Slice chicken into smaller, bite-sized pieces for faster cooking and more even sauce coverage during the simmering process.

Flavor Twists on Bourbon Chicken

• Honey Whiskey Swap: Replace bourbon with whiskey and add honey for a sweeter, milder flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure cornstarch is certified gluten-free for celiac-friendly preparation.
• Spicy Korean Remix: Substitute bourbon with rice wine, add gochujang paste, and increase red pepper flakes for a fiery Korean-inspired dish.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, adjusting cooking time to ensure proper browning and sauce absorption.

Perfect Pairings with Bourbon Chicken

• Southern Comfort Platter: Serve the bourbon chicken over creamy stone-ground grits for a classic Southern twist that brings rich, comforting flavors to your plate.
• Weekend Meal Prep Champion: Package the chicken with steamed broccoli and brown rice in meal prep containers for easy, delicious lunches throughout the week that save time and money.
• Lettuce Wrap Delight: Transform the bourbon chicken into fresh, light lettuce wraps using crisp butter lettuce leaves, adding a refreshing crunch and making the dish lighter and more interactive for casual dining.
• Party Appetizer Hack: Cut the chicken into smaller bite-sized pieces, skewer with toothpicks, and serve as a crowd-pleasing appetizer that delivers bold, sweet-and-spicy flavors perfect for gatherings.

FAQs

• What ingredients give Bourbon Chicken its signature flavor?

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.

• Is the bourbon essential for the recipe?

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.

• How spicy is this Bourbon Chicken?

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.

• Can I use different cuts of chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breast work well. Thighs tend to be more flavorful and tender, while breasts are leaner and cook quickly.

Easy Bourbon Chicken Flavor Profile

• Quickly Cook Delicious Meal: This bourbon chicken recipe delivers rich, tangy flavors with minimal kitchen effort, perfect for busy home cooks craving restaurant-quality dishes.
• Family-Friendly Flavor Adventure: Balanced sweet and savory notes make this chicken appealing to both adults and kids, creating a crowd-pleasing dinner option that satisfies diverse taste preferences.
• Versatile Serving Possibilities: Serve over fluffy rice, twirly noodles, or alongside roasted vegetables for a flexible meal that adapts to your family's current cravings and pantry ingredients.
• Simple Ingredient Transformation: Basic pantry staples like soy sauce, bourbon, and spices magically combine to create a complex, restaurant-worthy sauce that elevates ordinary chicken into an extraordinary dining experience.

Tasty Bourbon Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

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

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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.

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Ingredients

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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

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Instructions

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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