Description
Bourbon Chicken is a sweet, savory, and slightly tangy dish that brings restaurant-quality flavor straight to your kitchen. Inspired by food court classics, this quick and easy one-pan meal features tender, caramelized chicken coated in a rich, glossy sauce. Perfect for serving over rice or noodles, it’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that’s ready in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the Sauce:
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup bourbon (or apple juice for a non-alcoholic version)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Garnish & Serving:
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Cooked rice or noodles
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken:
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Make the Sauce:
- In the same pan, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, bourbon (or apple juice), apple cider vinegar, ketchup, garlic powder, ground ginger, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Combine & Simmer:
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan, tossing it in the sauce.
- Let it simmer for another 10-15 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the flavors.
- Serve & Enjoy:
- Serve over steamed rice or noodles.
- Garnish with sliced green onions.
Notes
- For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water and stir it in at the end.
- To make it spicier, increase red pepper flakes or add a dash of sriracha.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove with a splash of water.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Asian Fusion