Bourbon Chicken Recipe

This bourbon chicken recipe is sweet, sticky, and full of flavor — just like the mall food court version, but made at home with simple ingredients. It’s easy, quick, and perfect for busy nights when you want takeout-style food without ordering in.

Why Make This Recipe

This recipe is great because it comes together fast and uses pantry staples. The sauce is sweet and savory with just a little tang, and the chicken stays juicy and tender. It’s also easy to customize depending on what you have on hand.

How To Make Bourbon Chicken

Ingredients:

For the chicken

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

For the sauce

• ¼ cup bourbon (or apple juice for alcohol-free)
• ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup apple juice
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water

For serving

• Cooked white rice
• Green onions, sliced
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Directions:

1. Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple juice, ketchup, vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.
2. Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned and mostly cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Add garlic and ginger and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Simmer & thicken: Pour the sauce into the skillet and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook 2–3 minutes until thick and glossy.

Prep Time And Nutrition Facts

This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook, making a total of 40 minutes. It serves 4–6 people, and each serving has around 385 calories, with good protein from the chicken.

How To Serve Bourbon Chicken

Serve bourbon chicken over warm white rice and top with green onions and sesame seeds. It also pairs well with steamed broccoli or green beans for a complete meal.

How To Store Bourbon Chicken

Let the chicken cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of water.

Tips To Make Bourbon Chicken

• Don’t overcrowd the pan so the chicken browns properly.
• Let the sauce simmer so it thickens naturally before adding cornstarch.
• Taste before serving and adjust sweetness or salt if needed.
• Use chicken thighs for the juiciest result.

Health And Benefits Of This Recipe

This dish is high in protein and can be easily adjusted for different diets. Using low-sodium soy sauce helps reduce salt, and you can swap sugar or rice for lighter options if needed.

Variation (If Any)

• Alcohol-free: use apple juice instead of bourbon
• Gluten-free: use tamari instead of soy sauce
• Low-carb: serve over cauliflower rice
• Spicy: add more red pepper flakes or sriracha

FAQs

1. Does bourbon chicken contain alcohol? The alcohol cooks off, but you can use apple juice instead if preferred.
2. Can I use chicken breast? Yes, but thighs stay juicier.
3. Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, it reheats well and tastes even better the next day.
4. How do I thicken the sauce? Use the cornstarch slurry and simmer until glossy.
5. Can I freeze bourbon chicken? Yes, freeze in airtight containers up to 2 months.
6. Is this recipe spicy? It’s mild, but you can add heat easily.
7. What vegetables go well with it? Broccoli, snow peas, bell peppers, or green beans are great choices.

Bourbon Chicken

This bourbon chicken recipe is sweet, sticky, and full of flavor — perfectly replicating the deliciousness of mall food court favorites, made at home with simple ingredients.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 5 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 385

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the chicken

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into pieces Use thighs for juiciness.
• 2 tablespoons olive oil For cooking the chicken.
• 3 cloves garlic, minced Adds flavor to the dish.
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated For a fresh taste.

For the sauce

• 1/4 cup bourbon (or apple juice for alcohol-free) Bourbon provides depth of flavor.
• 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce Helps reduce saltiness.
• 1/2 cup brown sugar Adds sweetness to the sauce.
• 1/4 cup apple juice Complement to the bourbon.
• 2 tablespoons ketchup For added flavor.
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar Provides a tangy contrast.
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) For a hint of spice.
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch To thicken the sauce.
• 2 tablespoons water To mix with cornstarch.

For serving

• 4 servings cooked white rice Base for serving the chicken.
• to taste green onions, sliced For garnish.
• to taste sesame seeds (optional) For garnishing.

Method

 

Make the sauce

1. In a bowl, whisk together bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple juice, ketchup, vinegar, and optional red pepper flakes. Set aside.

Cook the chicken

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned and mostly cooked through, about 6–8 minutes.
3. Add garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Simmer & thicken

1. Pour the sauce into the skillet and bring to a gentle boil.
2. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 2–3 minutes until thick and glossy.

Notes

Serve bourbon chicken over warm white rice and top with green onions and sesame seeds. Pairs well with steamed broccoli or green beans. Let chicken cool, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat gently.