Sweet & Tangy Bourbon Chicken Recipe: A Family Favorite

Sizzling in skilllets across home kitchens, this easy bourbon chicken recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor without complicated techniques.

Southern-style cooking meets quick weeknight convenience in this mouthwatering dish.

Tender chicken pieces absorb a rich, glossy sauce that balances sweet and tangy notes perfectly.

Every bite promises a delectable blend of caramelized flavors that dance across your palate.

The marinade infuses each morsel with deep, complex seasonings that make dinner feel special.

Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps mean you can whip up this delicious meal in under 30 minutes.

Dinner just got a whole lot more exciting with this irresistible chicken recipe that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Bourbon Chicken Flavor Starter Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that creates tender, juicy bites with perfect texture and absorbs sauce beautifully.

• Cornstarch, Salt, Pepper: Cornstarch creates silky sauce consistency, while salt and pepper enhance foundational flavor profile.

• Chicken Broth, Soy Sauce, Apple Juice, Ketchup, Bourbon, Apple Cider Vinegar: Liquid ingredients blend to create complex, tangy-sweet sauce with deep umami undertones, balancing richness and brightness.

• Garlic, Ground Ginger, Onion Powder: Aromatic ingredients that provide warm, earthy depth and sophisticated flavor complexity.

• Brown Sugar, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Brown sugar delivers rich caramelized sweetness, while red pepper flakes add optional zesty kick and subtle heat.

Must-Have Equipment for Bourbon Chicken

• Large skillet: Your culinary workhorse for perfectly browning chicken and creating a mouthwatering sauce.
• Medium bowl: Essential for coating chicken with cornstarch mixture and ensuring even seasoning.
• Measuring spoons: Precise tools for adding just the right amount of spices and seasonings.
• Measuring cups: Key for accurately portioning liquid ingredients like chicken broth and apple juice.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching your skillet.
• Cutting board: Helpful for preparing ingredients before cooking begins.
• Sharp knife: Useful for any minor ingredient preparation needed.

How to Cook the Ultimate Bourbon Chicken

• Chicken Prep

Sprinkle chicken with seasoning mix, ensuring each piece gets a delicious coating of flavor. The key is creating a light, even layer that’ll make every bite irresistible.

• Sizzling Skillet Action

Heat pan until it’s dancing with warmth. Gently cook chicken pieces, transforming them into golden-brown treasure with crispy edges. Work in small batches to keep the texture perfect.

• Flavor Explosion

Toss aromatic garlic into the pan, letting its magic fill the kitchen. Pour in a symphony of liquid ingredients – each splash adding depth and character to the sauce. Let everything bubble and mingle, creating a rich, tantalizing blend.

• Sauce Transformation

Return chicken to the pan, allowing it to swim in the luscious sauce. Let everything simmer and merge, concentrating flavors until the sauce becomes gloriously thick and clingy.

• Final Touch

Plate your creation over fluffy rice, letting the sauce cascade and pool around the chicken. The result? A mouthwatering dish that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Expert Tips & Optional Additions

• Cooking Tips & Variations
• Alcohol-Free Magic: Skip the bourbon and replace it with additional apple juice or chicken broth for a family-friendly version that doesn't compromise on flavor. This swap keeps the sauce equally delicious and kid-friendly.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to match your heat preference. Start with a pinch for mild flavor or add more for a spicier kick that tingles your taste buds with every bite.
• Protein Possibilities: Swap chicken for other proteins like tender pork chunks, crispy tofu, or succulent shrimp. Each alternative brings its own unique texture and absorbs the rich sauce beautifully.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the sauce and chicken ahead of time, storing them separately in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, quickly reheat and combine for a stress-free meal that tastes freshly made.
• Veggie Boost: Toss in some colorful bell peppers, broccoli florets, or snap peas during the final simmering stage. These additions not only increase nutrition but also create a more complete and vibrant meal.

Plating Ideas for Bourbon Chicken

• Flavor Fusion Companions: Pair this zesty bourbon chicken with fluffy jasmine or basmati rice that beautifully absorbs the incredible sauce.
• Restaurant-Style Plating: Garnish with thinly sliced green onions or sesame seeds to elevate the visual appeal and add a fresh, crisp texture to the dish.
• Veggie Sidekick Delight: Serve alongside roasted broccoli, stir-fried vegetables, or a crisp Asian-inspired coleslaw to balance the rich chicken and create a complete meal experience.
• Spice Level Customize: Keep some extra crushed red pepper flakes on the side so guests can adjust the heat according to their personal spice tolerance, making the meal interactive and personalized.

Smart Storage & Meal Prep Advice

• Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep leftover Bourbon Chicken in an airtight container for 3-4 days. The flavors will continue to develop, making each bite even more delicious.
• Freezer Friendly Option: Pack the chicken in freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. It stays tasty for up to 2 months when properly sealed, providing a quick meal solution for busy days.
• Reheat with Care: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat to maintain the sauce's consistency. Add a splash of chicken broth to revive moisture and prevent drying out.
• Smart Meal Prep Strategy: Cook double batches and portion into individual containers. These ready-to-go meals work perfectly for lunch at work or quick dinners during hectic weeknights.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 370 kcal

Servings: 7

Irresistible Bourbon Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Home cooks love this Louisiana-style bourbon chicken with a sweet-tangy glaze that balances savory and sugary notes. Simmered chicken pieces coat perfectly in a rich sauce, delivering classic Southern comfort on your dinner plate.

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Ingredients

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• 3 lbs (1.36 kg) chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, chopped into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup (240 mL) low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar, dark or light
• ⅔ cup (160 mL) low-sodium soy sauce
• ¼ cup (60 mL) bourbon
• ⅓ cup (80 mL) apple juice
• ⅓ cup (80 mL) ketchup
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps (30 mL) apple cider vinegar
• 4 tbsps (32 g) cornstarch
• 2 tbsps (30 mL) vegetable oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Seasoning Preparation: In a medium bowl, blend cornstarch, salt, and pepper, then meticulously coat chicken pieces, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
2. Chicken Searing: Ignite a large skillet at medium-high heat, strategically brown chicken in rotating batches until golden and nearly cooked, roughly 3 minutes per side, then transfer to a holding plate.
3. Aromatic Foundation: Within the identical skillet, rapidly sauté minced garlic until its fragrant essence permeates the cooking surface.
4. Sauce Composition: Cascade chicken broth, soy sauce, apple juice, ketchup, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, ground ginger, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes into the skillet, escalating to a robust boil before moderating to a gentle simmer.
5. Sauce Integration: Reintroduce seared chicken into the simmering liquid, thoroughly coating each piece, and allow the mixture to reduce by half while ensuring complete chicken doneness, approximately 10 minutes.
6. Sauce Refinement: Craft a cornstarch-water slurry, seamlessly integrate into the sauce, and continue simmering for an additional 2 minutes to achieve optimal viscosity.
7. Plating Finale: Elegantly present bourbon-glazed chicken atop steamed rice, allowing grains to absorb the luxurious sauce, and optionally garnish with chopped green onions for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Perfectly Coat Chicken: Ensure every chicken piece is evenly and thoroughly coated with the seasoning mixture for maximum flavor absorption and consistent taste.
• Brown in Batches: Cook chicken pieces in separate batches to maintain high skillet temperature, creating a golden exterior and locking in juicy interior.
• Create Sauce Depth: Combine multiple liquid ingredients like bourbon, soy sauce, and apple juice to build complex, layered flavor profiles that elevate the dish.
• Thicken Strategically: Use cornstarch slurry technique to control sauce consistency, preventing watery results and creating a glossy, clinging sauce that beautifully coats chicken.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 23 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg