This bourbon chicken recipe is a remake of the food court classic. The chicken is coated in an irresistible sweet and sticky sauce and is sure to become a family favorite!
I’m all about making my favorite restaurant meals at home. My family loves when I cook beef and broccoli stir fry, homemade egg rolls, and this easy bourbon chicken.
Bourbon chicken is one of those dishes that always seems to pop up in the mall food courts. It actually originated in New Orleans and is named both for Bourbon Street and for the bourbon in the sauce, even though it has a decidedly Asian flavor. Whatever the origins, it’s totally delicious and super easy to make at home!
How do you make bourbon chicken?
To make bourbon chicken, you’ll need chicken and a handful of pantry ingredients to make the sauce. I prefer to use boneless skinless chicken thighs in this recipe, just because that’s the way I’ve always had it in restaurants. You can also use boneless skinless chicken breast chunks if you prefer. The sauce looks like a long ingredient list, but you most likely already have all the ingredients in your kitchen.
Bourbon chicken couldn’t be any easier to make – simply saute the chicken to a deep golden brown, pour the sauce over the top, and simmer. That’s all there is to it! I like to serve my bourbon chicken over rice, and I start steaming the rice before I cook the chicken so that everything is done at the same time. Add a green veggie (broccoli in my house) and dinner is served!
Does bourbon chicken contain bourbon?
This recipe does call for bourbon, hence the name. The alcohol evaporates as the sauce simmers, but if you prefer not to use alcohol, you can substitute apple juice and it’ll still be delicious. I’ve made it both ways and they’re honestly both great.
My kids even love this bourbon chicken, there’s just something about that sweet and sticky sauce that’s totally irresistible!
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Bourbon Chicken Video
Bourbon Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup bourbon apple juice can be substituted
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onions optional
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste.
- Place the chicken in the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. Add the garlic to the pan and cook for 30 seconds.
- While the chicken is cooking. In a medium bowl whisk together the bourbon, brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, water, soy sauce and cornstarch.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 3-5 minutes or until sauce has thickened.
- Sprinkle with green onions and serve immediately, over rice if desired.
Lisa says
Could I use chicken cutlets instead? Sounds amazing💜
Sara says
Yes that would work fine!
Don says
Decent meal. Serving is more like 4, unless you’re feeding kids also. Chicken had a mild flavor, but sauce was very tasty. I would make this again.
Martha says
Amazing! I chose to sub out bourbon, with apple juice. I also added in a bit extra apple juice, making thinner sauce. We couldn’t find just dark soy, at out local market. But, were able to find a dark soy with mushroom flavoring. I can tell you, this is a new reg to our family dining now. Thanks for sharing such a tasteful authentic dish recipe.
Sara says
Yay so glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for reporting back!
Tana says
Will the sauce last in the fridge if I make it ahead of time or double the batch?
Sara says
Yes that will work fine!
Cherry says
I am allergic to soy, do you have a replacement suggestion other than coconut amino? If not, I will just delete it and see how it tastes.
Sara says
Here are a bunch of different replacement ideas for soy sauce. If you omit the soy sauce, be sure to add some salt back in – https://ritely.com/soy-sauce-substitute/
Dennis Lamoree says
Made it with crown apple and served with vege fried rice. Awesome sauce.
Sara says
So glad you enjoyed this!
Becky says
I used Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey and threw in some frozen stir fry veggies since my husband loves his veggies. It came out amazing. Will be making this many more times. So quick, easy, and tasty. Thank you!
Rachel says
I added really thin cut celery & carrots, mushrooms & onion… I love veggies ..served over Brown rice . Smelled delicious cooking. Quick & WONDER full … thank you!!
Lois says
I made this last night and my husband loved it! I used Jack Daniels in the sauce. I made brown rice with mushrooms and broccoli. Everything mixed up nicely in a bowl and it was wonderful! I like cooking with boneless thighs and have been looking for another recipe to go to. This is it!
diane kilpack says
Can we use sugar substite instead of the brown sugar? If we can, how much would we use?
Sara says
I’ve never tried a sugar substitute with this recipe. I think it would depend on what kind of substitute you use, some are a 1:1 ratio, others are sweeter than real sugar. I’d recommend looking at the packaging of your substitute to see what they recommend in terms of a substitution ratio.
Jutone says
This was so good!
Linda says
What brand of bourbon was used in this
Sara says
Maker’s Mark!
Judy says
How many people will it feed?
Sara says
This serves 5!
Janet says
Super simple! Made the sauce, but cooked it in the microwave until it bubbled. Cut the sodium by using Coconut Aminos instead of Soy Sauce. It does solidify when it is refrigerated, but that’s ok.
I can toss some rice and diced chicken with some sauce over it for a quick pack lunch for work.
Very flavorful and no alcohol taste. It’s a perfect short cut meal.
Thank you!
Allene says
Where do you get the bourbon apple juice?
Sara says
You either use bourbon the liquor or apple juice, depending on whether you cook with alcohol or not!
Laura says
Looks delicious! What can I substitute for the apple cider vinegar? I am highly allergic to apples.
Sara says
Rice vinegar or red wine vinegar would work!
Bea says
I just love this recipe! I made it for dinner and everyone ate it!
Debbie says
Definitely making this! Looks like a real family pleaser!
Sam says
Makes my mouth water just looking at this!
michelle says
says per serving but how much is a serving
Sara says
Approximately 1 cup!