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Bourbon Chicken cooking in a skillet with sticky brown sauce.

Easy Bourbon Chicken

This easy Bourbon Chicken is a takeout-style dinner that everyone loves! It’s sweet and savory chicken thighs cooked in a finger-licking sauce prepared with brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and bourbon.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian
Calories: 428

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
  • 3 scallions thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons apple juice
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • Toasted sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
  • Sliced green onions for garnish (optional)
  • Cooked rice for serving

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Wok or large skillet
  • whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Chef knife

Method
 

  1. In a large mixing bowl, toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
  2. Heat a wok or a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, then add the chicken pieces. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet; cover and set aside.
  3. Add the remaining vegetable oil to the skillet over medium heat. Add sliced scallions and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in garlic and cook for 20 seconds.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine chicken broth, soy sauce, bourbon, brown sugar, apple juice, apple cider vinegar, and ground ginger; whisk until incorporated. Pour sauce into the skillet and simmer for 3 minutes.
  5. Add the chicken back to the skillet and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 5 to 8 minutes until sauce is thickened. Remove from heat.
  6. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, and serve over rice.

Notes

Chicken Thighs: Preferred for juiciness, but chicken breasts can be used. Cornstarch: Essential for creating a silky texture on the chicken and thickening the sauce. Bourbon: The alcohol cooks off during simmering. Substitute with extra apple juice if needed.
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