Bourbon Chicken
+7 photos

Bourbon Chicken

Bourbon chicken comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight. With flavors of Cajun and Asian cuisines, this will soon be a family favorite.

Ingredients

  • boneless

    skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-in. pieces, about 5 thighs

    1 ½ lb.
  • kosher salt
    ¼ tsp.
  • black pepper
    ¼ tsp.
  • cornstarch

    divided

    2 ½ tbsp.
  • canola oil

    divided

    2 tbsp.
  • packed light brown sugar
    ¼ c
  • apple juice
    ¼ c
  • unsalted chicken broth or water
    ¼ c
  • bourbon
    ¼ c
  • lower-sodium soy sauce
    2 tbsp.
  • honey
    2 tbsp.
  • ketchup
    2 tbsp.
  • apple cider vinegar
    2 tsp.
  • onion powder
    ½ tsp.
  • ground ginger
    ½ tsp.
  • tap water
    1 ½ tsp.
  • thinly sliced scallions

    from 2 scallions

    ¼ c
  • fdsfds

Directions

  1. 1

    Toss together chicken pieces, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of the cornstarch in a medium bowl until coated.

    Step 1
  2. 2

    Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Add half of chicken pieces in an even layer, and cook, turning once, until browned all over, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Repeat process with remaining oil and chicken pieces, setting chicken aside after browning.

    Step 2
  3. 3

    While chicken browns, whisk together brown sugar, juice, broth, bourbon, soy sauce, honey, ketchup, vinegar, onion powder, and ginger in a medium bowl.

    Step 3
  4. 4

    Pour sauce mixture into skillet, and bring to a boil over medium-high, about 1 minute. Return chicken, along with any juices, to sauce mixture in skillet; cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce is reduced by about half and coats back of a spoon, about 4 minutes.

    Step 4
  5. 5

    Whisk together 1 1/2 teaspoons water and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch in a small bowl.

    Step 5
  6. 6

    Whisk cornstarch mixture into sauce mixture in skillet; simmer until sauce is thickened and glazes chicken, about 1 minute.

    Step 6
  7. 7

    Sprinkle evenly with scallions; serve over rice.

    Step 7
Bourbon Chicken
+7

Bourbon Chicken

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About this Recipe

Craving a delicious, restaurant-quality dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes? This Bourbon Chicken recipe is your answer, perfectly blending the vibrant flavors of Cajun and Asian cuisines into a single, craveable weeknight meal.

What makes this Bourbon Chicken truly special is its incredible depth of flavor and surprising speed. The rich, glossy sauce combines sweet, savory, and tangy elements, creating a profile that’s both comforting and exciting. It's a testament to how simple ingredients can create a truly memorable dish, designed for quick preparation without sacrificing an ounce of taste.

You can expect tender, succulent pieces of chicken thighs coated in a luscious, deeply aromatic sauce. The base notes of brown sugar, honey, and soy sauce are beautifully uplifted by the subtle warmth of bourbon and a bright tang from apple cider vinegar. Hints of onion and ginger add an inviting complexity, ensuring every bite is packed with savory-sweet goodness. The cornstarch helps create that signature velvety texture that clings perfectly to the chicken.

Customization & Serving Tips

  • While boneless, skinless chicken thighs are ideal for their juiciness, you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a leaner option. Just be careful not to overcook them.
  • For a non-alcoholic version, swap the bourbon for an equal amount of unsalted chicken broth or apple juice. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the onion powder and ginger if you enjoy a touch of heat.

This Bourbon Chicken is an excellent choice for a satisfying family dinner. Serve it generously over steamed rice to soak up all that incredible sauce, and garnish with the fresh, thinly sliced scallions for a pop of color and freshness.

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