Bourbon Chicken is a sweet, savory, and slightly sticky chicken dish that is packed with bold flavor. Tender pieces of chicken are cooked in a rich sauce made with bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger, creating a glaze that coats every bite. It’s the kind of dish that tastes like something you would order at a mall food court or takeout restaurant, but it’s surprisingly easy to make right at home. Serve it over a bowl of steamed rice to soak up all that flavorful sauce. If you like recipes like this one, you might also want to check our Firecracker Chicken recipe.
Why This Bourbon Chicken Works
The sauce is the real star of this recipe. Soy sauce provides a salty base, while brown sugar adds sweetness that caramelizes slightly as it cooks. Garlic and ginger bring aromatic flavor, and the bourbon adds a subtle richness that makes the sauce taste more complex.
As the chicken simmers in the sauce, the flavors concentrate and coat the meat in a glossy glaze. A quick cornstarch slurry thickens the sauce just enough so it clings to the chicken and rice.
Tips for the Best Bourbon Chicken
- Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces so it cooks consistently and browns nicely in the skillet.
- Let the chicken cook undisturbed for a few minutes at first. This helps it develop a little color before the sauce is added.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, allow it to simmer for an extra minute after adding the cornstarch slurry.
- For a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added to the sauce.
What to Serve with Bourbon Chicken
Bourbon chicken is most often served over steamed white rice, which helps absorb the flavorful sauce. It also pairs well with fried rice, roasted vegetables, or steamed broccoli for a simple and satisfying meal.
Storage Tips
Store leftover bourbon chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, warm the chicken gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through. If the sauce thickens too much while refrigerated, add a splash of water or chicken broth when reheating to loosen it.
Bourbon Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- ¼ cup bourbon
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ⅓ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons water
- Sliced green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the cubed chicken and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- While the chicken cooks, whisk together the bourbon, soy sauce, chicken broth, ketchup, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger in a small bowl.
- Once the chicken is cooked, pour the sauce mixture into the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.
- In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
- Pour the slurry into the skillet and stir until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
- Serve the bourbon chicken over rice and garnish with sliced green onions.
This recipe was inspired by Easy Bourbon Chicken on iamhomesteader.com.
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