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a serving of bourbon chicken with rice in a white plate garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.
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5 from 3 votes

Bourbon Chicken

Bourbon Chicken is a flavorful dish featuring tender chicken thighs cooked in a rich, sweet, and tangy sauce. It's quick to make and perfect for busy weeknights, offering a delicious blend of savory and sweet in every bite. Serve it over rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 530kcal
Author: Joanna Cismaru

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1½ pounds chicken thighs boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ cup bourbon optional, can substitute with chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup apple juice
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes adjust to taste
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • Green onions sliced for garnish
  • Sesame seeds optional, for garnish
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a bowl, mix the bourbon, soy sauce, apple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and let sit for at least 30 minutes, or up to a few hours in the refrigerator.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade (reserve the marinade) and cook until nicely browned and nearly cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
  • While the chicken is cooking, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Stir this into the simmering sauce and cook until thickened, about 1-2 minutes.
  • Once the chicken is browned, pour the thickened sauce over the chicken in the skillet. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to coat the chicken thoroughly with the sauce.
  • Serve the bourbon chicken hot over rice or noodles. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

  1. Substitute bourbon with chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version.
  2. Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes for best flavor.
  3. Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat.
  4. Use fresh garlic and ginger for a more robust flavor.
  5. Thicken the sauce separately before adding it to the chicken for a smooth, glossy finish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 530kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 142mg | Sodium: 1336mg | Potassium: 491mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 152IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 2mg