Craving a dish that’s both sweet and savory with just the right amount of tang? Bourbon chicken is a popular dish often found at mall food courts and casual dining restaurants, known for its mouthwatering glaze and tender chicken pieces. The great news is, you can make this flavorful dish at home with just a few simple ingredients—and it doesn’t even take long to prepare! This easy bourbon chicken recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that tastes like it came straight from your favorite takeout spot.
Let’s get into the ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and tips for making this delicious dish, so you can enjoy the sweet, sticky goodness of bourbon chicken from the comfort of your kitchen.
What is Bourbon Chicken?
Bourbon chicken is a classic American-Chinese dish named after Bourbon Street in New Orleans, not the whiskey—though bourbon is sometimes used in the sauce. It features bite-sized pieces of chicken that are coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory sauce. The sauce typically consists of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and often a touch of bourbon for added flavor depth. While it’s traditionally stir-fried, you can make it as a quick skillet or pan-seared dish, perfect for serving over rice or alongside vegetables.
Ingredients List for Bourbon Chicken
Here’s a breakdown of everything you’ll need to make this easy bourbon chicken recipe:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces; you can also use chicken breasts)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for cooking)
- ½ cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- ¼ cup bourbon (optional, or use apple juice as a substitute)
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce (optional for extra depth)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons water to make a slurry)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- ¼ cup water (to thin the sauce, if necessary)
- Chopped green onions and sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
Substitutions and Variations
Feel free to tweak the ingredients based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences:
- Bourbon: If you don’t want to use alcohol, you can substitute it with apple juice or chicken broth. The bourbon adds a subtle smoky sweetness, but the dish will still be delicious without it.
- Chicken thighs vs. breasts: Chicken thighs are juicier and more flavorful, but you can use chicken breasts for a leaner option. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time slightly to avoid drying out the chicken breasts.
- Soy sauce: You can use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce.
- Brown sugar: For a less sweet version, reduce the amount of sugar or swap with honey or maple syrup.
- Spice level: If you like a spicier dish, increase the crushed red pepper flakes or add a bit of sriracha to the sauce.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Let’s walk through the steps to make this easy bourbon chicken in less than 30 minutes:
1. Prepare the chicken
Start by cutting the chicken thighs or breasts into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture—this will help it brown better.
2. Sear the chicken
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through. You may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
3. Mix the sauce
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, bourbon (or apple juice), apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, hoisin sauce (if using), garlic powder, ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes. Set the sauce aside.
4. Add the sauce to the skillet
Once the chicken is browned, reduce the heat to medium. Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the chicken, stirring to coat the chicken evenly. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly and for the chicken to absorb the flavors.
5. Thicken the sauce (optional)
If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the skillet and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
6. Serve
Once the sauce has thickened and the chicken is glazed, remove the skillet from heat. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for extra flavor and presentation, if desired.
How to Cook Bourbon Chicken: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you want to master the perfect bourbon chicken, here’s a closer look at a few key steps:
- Browning the chicken: Make sure your pan is hot and that you pat the chicken dry before searing. This ensures the chicken develops a golden-brown crust, which adds flavor and texture to the dish.
- Making the sauce: The balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors in the sauce is what makes bourbon chicken so delicious. You can adjust the ratios to taste—add more brown sugar for sweetness or a little extra vinegar for tang.
- Simmering the sauce: Once you add the sauce to the chicken, let it simmer gently. This allows the sauce to thicken and coat the chicken, turning it into that sticky, caramelized glaze that bourbon chicken is known for.
- Thickening the sauce: If you like a thicker, more syrupy sauce, the cornstarch slurry is a great trick. Be sure to stir it in gradually and cook it just long enough for the sauce to thicken.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcrowding the pan: If you overcrowd the pan, the chicken will steam rather than brown. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to get a nice, crispy sear.
- Not letting the sauce simmer long enough: The sauce needs time to reduce and thicken into a glaze. Be patient and let it simmer until it reaches the right consistency.
- Overcooking the chicken: Chicken cooks quickly, especially when cut into bite-sized pieces. Keep an eye on the chicken and remove it from heat as soon as it's cooked through to prevent it from becoming dry.
Serving and Presentation Tips
Bourbon chicken is a versatile dish that can be served in several ways:
- Over rice: White rice, brown rice, or even fried rice pairs perfectly with bourbon chicken. The rice soaks up the sauce, making every bite flavorful.
- With vegetables: Serve bourbon chicken with steamed or stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy to add some healthy greens to your meal.
- Noodles: For a different twist, you can serve the chicken over noodles like lo mein or udon.
- In lettuce wraps: For a low-carb option, serve the bourbon chicken in lettuce cups or wraps.
How to Serve Bourbon Chicken
- Family-style: Serve the bourbon chicken in a large dish in the center of the table with bowls of rice or noodles on the side. This makes it easy for everyone to serve themselves.
- Individual portions: Spoon the chicken over a bed of rice on each plate, ensuring a generous drizzle of sauce over the top. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions for a restaurant-worthy presentation.
Presentation Ideas for Bourbon Chicken
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds: These simple garnishes add a pop of color and a bit of crunch, making the dish look more appealing.
- Serve on a wooden board: For a rustic presentation, serve the bourbon chicken directly from the skillet on a wooden board, allowing guests to help themselves.
- Use decorative bowls: Present the bourbon chicken over rice in large, decorative bowls for a stylish, modern plating.
Bourbon Chicken Recipe Tips
- Make it ahead: Bourbon chicken reheats well, so feel free to make it ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in a skillet over low heat to avoid drying out the chicken.
- Freezer-friendly: You can freeze bourbon chicken for up to 3 months. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Double the sauce: If you love extra sauce, double the sauce ingredients and simmer the chicken in it. This way, you’ll have plenty to pour over rice or noodles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make this recipe without bourbon?
Yes! You can substitute the bourbon with apple juice, chicken broth, or even water. The bourbon adds a unique flavor, but the dish is still delicious without it.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely. Chicken breasts work well in this recipe, though they may need slightly less cooking time to avoid drying out.
How long can I store leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
Is this recipe spicy?
The crushed red pepper flakes add a mild heat, but the dish is mostly sweet and savory. If you prefer a spicier version, you can increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Yes! To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
Conclusion
This easy bourbon chicken recipe is a quick, flavorful dish that’s sure to become a favorite in your household. With tender chicken pieces coated in a sweet, savory, and slightly tangy sauce, it’s the perfect dinner for busy weeknights or when you’re craving takeout-style food at home. Serve it over rice, with noodles, or in lettuce wraps for a meal that’s as versatile as it is delicious. Give it a try and enjoy the rich flavors of homemade bourbon chicken!
PrintEasy Bourbon Chicken Recipe
This Easy Bourbon Chicken Recipe brings together tender, bite-sized chicken pieces in a rich, flavorful sauce made with bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this dish is inspired by mall food court classics and can be served over rice or noodles for a satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course,Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup bourbon
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 1 tbsp water, for thickening)
- 2 tbsp green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 6-7 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken in the skillet, bring to a simmer, and cook for 8-10 minutes, until the sauce reduces slightly.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
- Remove from heat and garnish with green onions. Serve over rice or noodles.
Notes
- The alcohol in the bourbon will cook off, leaving a deep, caramelized flavor.
- If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, substitute the bourbon with apple juice or chicken broth.
- Add vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers for extra nutrition and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ of recipe
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 850mg
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