To make bourbon chicken, follow these general steps based on common recipes:
Ingredients
- Chicken (breasts or thighs, boneless and skinless)
- Olive oil or vegetable oil
- Bourbon
- Soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- Chicken broth or stock (low sodium)
- Brown sugar
- Garlic (minced)
- Ground ginger or fresh ginger
- Onion powder (optional)
- Red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- Cornstarch (for coating chicken and thickening sauce)
- Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
- Rice for serving
Instructions
- Mix bourbon, soy sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, and spices (ginger, garlic, onion powder, red pepper flakes) in a bowl and set aside to make the sauce.
- Cut the chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces and toss the chicken with cornstarch to coat.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken in batches until crispy and cooked through, then set aside.
- In the same pan, add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Pour the prepared sauce into the pan and bring to a boil to deglaze the pan.
- Return the chicken to the pan and simmer until the sauce thickens and reduces, coating the chicken.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve hot over rice.
Tips:
- Cook chicken in batches to keep it crispy.
- You can substitute bourbon with other spirits like brandy or whiskey if desired.
- Adjust the heat by adding more red pepper flakes or sriracha.
- The sauce thickens thanks to sugar and cornstarch as it reduces.
This recipe is a sweet, sticky, and flavorful dish ready in about 20-30 minutes and is great served with rice and vegetables.
