Bourbon Chicken Recipe
This Bourbon Chicken recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken simmered in a flavorful sauce made with bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, and aromatic spices. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it combines a rich depth of flavor with a hint of sweetness and spice, garnished with fresh green onions for a vibrant finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 1/3 cup bourbon
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Thickener & Garnish
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 green onions, chopped thinly for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts or thighs into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and better absorption of flavors.
- Heat the olive oil: Place a skillet or large pan over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Cook the chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the hot skillet and sauté until they are browned on all sides and nearly cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Make the sauce: In a bowl, combine bourbon, soy sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, ground ginger, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic. Stir well to mix all the ingredients.
- Add the sauce to the chicken: Pour the prepared sauce over the browned chicken in the skillet. Stir to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for about 10 minutes to let the flavors meld and the chicken to finish cooking.
- Thicken the sauce: Mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2-3 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the skillet while stirring constantly until the sauce thickens enough to coat the chicken nicely, about 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped green onions over the top. Serve immediately with steamed rice or your favorite side dish.
Notes
- You can use either chicken breasts or thighs depending on your preference; thighs tend to be juicier and more flavorful.
- Adjust the amount of bourbon to taste; for a milder flavor, reduce slightly.
- If you prefer a less sweet dish, reduce the brown sugar by half.
- For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes.
- The green onions add a fresh, crisp contrast—don’t skip the garnish.
- Make sure to mix the cornstarch with cold water before adding to avoid lumps in the sauce.
Keywords: Bourbon Chicken, Chicken recipe, Easy dinner, Sweet and spicy chicken, Skillet chicken
Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/bourbon-chicken-recipe/