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Bourbon Chicken Recipe

4.6 from 61 reviews

This rich and flavorful Bourbon Chicken recipe features tender chicken thighs marinated in a savory blend of bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger, then pan-cooked to perfection in a thick, caramelized sauce. Perfect served over rice and garnished with fresh chives, this dish offers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and smoky notes for a comforting and delicious meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade

  • ½ cup Bourbon
  • ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
  • ½ cup water
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 tablespoons red wine
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Chicken

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into smaller pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped chives

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together bourbon, low sodium soy sauce, water, minced garlic, brown sugar, fresh ginger, red wine, and sesame oil until well combined.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thigh pieces to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight to allow the flavors to infuse.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces and cook until the chicken is no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add Marinade and Reduce Sauce: Pour half of the marinade into the skillet with the chicken. Continue cooking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the marinade thickens into a rich sauce and the chicken is fully cooked through.
  5. Prepare Extra Sauce (Optional): For more sauce, pour the remaining marinade into a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes until it reduces by about half and thickens slightly.
  6. Serve: Plate the cooked chicken over rice and garnish with chopped chives. Drizzle extra sauce over if desired for added flavor and moisture.

Notes

  • Marinate the chicken longer for deeper flavor—overnight is ideal if time permits.
  • Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the best texture and flavor absorption.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add a cornstarch slurry to the pan sauce while cooking to thicken it further.
  • Adjust brown sugar quantity for sweetness preference.
  • Serve with steamed rice or vegetables for a complete meal.

Keywords: bourbon chicken, chicken thighs, savory chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, bourbon sauce