Description
Savory bourbon chicken brings Southern comfort to your dinner table with tender, glazed meat infused with rich whiskey-spiked flavors. Crispy edges and sweet-tangy sauce make this dish an irresistible weeknight favorite you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Sauce Ingredients:
- 0.25 cup bourbon (or chicken broth for non-alcoholic version)
- 0.25 cup soy sauce (low sodium)
- 0.25 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 0.25 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced (or 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Cooking and Thickening Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or vegetable oil)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)
- 2 tablespoons water
Garnish (Optional):
- Green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Sear chicken pieces in hot vegetable oil over medium-high heat until golden brown and caramelized, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Create a vibrant sauce by whisking bourbon, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a separate mixing bowl.
- Cascade the sauce over the seared chicken, reducing heat to allow a gentle simmer that helps intensify flavor profiles and ensure thorough chicken cooking, roughly 8-10 minutes.
- To enhance sauce consistency, prepare a cornstarch slurry by dissolving cornstarch in water, then incorporate into the simmering liquid, stirring continuously for 2-3 minutes until the sauce reaches a glossy, thickened texture.
- Remove skillet from heat, allowing residual warmth to complete cooking process, then artfully garnish with finely chopped green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for added visual appeal and nutty crunch.
- Present the bourbon chicken atop fluffy steamed rice or alongside colorful roasted vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Control the heat to prevent burning the chicken, ensuring even browning and maintaining tender meat texture.
- Marinate chicken beforehand for deeper flavor infusion, letting ingredients penetrate the meat for richer taste experience.
- Replace bourbon with apple juice or chicken broth for alcohol-free version, keeping the recipe family-friendly and adaptable.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to manage salt content, making the dish healthier without compromising delicious flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 309 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg