If you love the rich, savory flavors of bourbon chicken from your favorite takeout spot, you’ll be thrilled to know that you can make it at home, better and faster! This easy bourbon chicken recipe is packed with flavor, coated in a deliciously sweet and savory sauce, and served with rice for the perfect meal. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s an ideal dish for busy weeknights. 🍽️
Why You’ll Love This Bourbon Chicken Recipe ❤️
🔥 Quick & Easy: Made in one pan with simple ingredients!
🍗 Juicy & Flavorful: The perfect balance of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors.
🥢 Better Than Takeout: No need to order in when you can make this restaurant-style dish at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need 🛒
(Serves 4)
🍗 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
🌽 2-3 tbsp cornstarch (for coating the chicken)
🛢️ 2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
🧄 4-8 garlic cloves, minced (adjust to taste)
🌿 Green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
For the Sauce:
🥃 1/3 cup bourbon
🍶 1/3 cup soy sauce (light or regular)
🍲 1/2 cup chicken stock
🍯 1/3 cup brown sugar
🧅 1/2 tsp onion powder
🧂 1/2 tsp ground ginger (or 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced)
🌶️ 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust for spice level)
Tools Needed 🛠️
To make this delicious bourbon chicken, you’ll need the right kitchen tools. Here are some essentials to ensure smooth preparation:on
✅ Chef’s Knife – For mincing garlic and cutting chicken into bite-sized pieces. (Buy On Amazon)
✅ Cutting Board – A sturdy board for safe chopping. (Buy On Amazon)
✅ Large Skillet or Wok – For even cooking and caramelization. (Buy On Amazon)
✅ Mixing Bowls – To prepare and marinate the sauce. (Buy On Amazon)
✅ Measuring Cups & Spoons – To ensure accurate ingredient portions. (Buy On Amazon)
✅ Tongs – For flipping the chicken while cooking. (Buy On Amazon)
✅ Wooden Spoon or Spatula – To stir the sauce and avoid burning.(Buy On Amazon)
🔗 Related Recipe: Try This Million Dollar Chicken Casserole Recipe
Step-by-Step Instructions 🥄
1️⃣ Prep Your Ingredients
👩🍳 Start by mincing your garlic. Smash the cloves with the side of a knife to release the oils, then chop finely. Set aside.
🔪 Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. This ensures it cooks quickly and evenly.
🥄 Dust the chicken with cornstarch, ensuring an even, light coating. This step helps achieve a crispy texture when cooked.
2️⃣ Make the Bourbon Sauce
🥃 In a small bowl, whisk together the bourbon, soy sauce, chicken stock, brown sugar, onion powder, ginger, and red pepper flakes. This sauce is the heart of the dish, bringing all the flavors together.
3️⃣ Cook the Chicken
🔥 Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat.
🍗 Add the chicken in a single layer, cooking in batches if necessary. Let it sit undisturbed for a couple of minutes to get a golden-brown sear before flipping. Cook until crispy and fully cooked through, about 4–5 minutes per side.
🥢 Transfer the cooked chicken to a bowl and set aside.
4️⃣ Bring It All Together
🧄 Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic to the pan. Sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
🥄 Pour in the bourbon sauce, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the pan (this adds extra flavor!). Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until the alcohol cooks off and the sauce thickens slightly.
🍗 Return the chicken to the pan, stirring to coat in the glossy sauce. Let it simmer for another 2–3 minutes until the sauce clings to the chicken beautifully.
5️⃣ Garnish & Serve
🌿 Stir in most of the sliced green onions, reserving some for garnish.
🍚 Serve hot over a bed of fluffy white rice, and enjoy!
Pro Tips for the Best Bourbon Chicken 🏆
✅ Use Fresh Garlic – Pre-minced jarred garlic won’t give the same punchy flavor.
✅ Don’t Skip the Cornstarch – It creates a light, crispy coating on the chicken that helps the sauce cling perfectly.
✅ Let the Alcohol Cook Off – Simmering the bourbon removes the harsh alcohol taste, leaving only deep, caramelized flavors.
✅ Adjust Spice Level – If you love heat, add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha!
🔗 More Easy Dinner Ideas: Check out our collection of quick and delicious meals!
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
Can I make bourbon chicken without bourbon? Yes! You can substitute apple juice for a non-alcoholic version, though it will be slightly sweeter.
What’s the best type of chicken to use? Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great if you prefer juicier meat, but chicken breasts keep it leaner.
How do I store leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet for best results!
This homemade bourbon chicken recipe is bound to become a family favorite! Try it out and let us know how it turns out in the comments. If you loved this recipe, don’t forget to check out our other quick and easy dinner recipes for more meal inspiration! 🍛🥢
