Name: Bourbon Chicken: A Sweet, Savory, and Irresistible Classic
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American-Asian Fusion
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 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; 2 green onions, sliced; Cooked rice or noodles

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

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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