Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword bourbon-chicken, bourbon-chicken-recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Servings servings

Calories 682kcal

Toss chicken with 3 Tbsp cornstarch, salt and lemon pepper until evenly coated.
In a large 12-inch skillet, heat 3 Tbsp oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pan in a single layer so each piece of chicken is in contact with the hot skillet.
Brown chicken for 1 - 1 1/2 minutes per side or just until beginning to brown. Remove to a platter and repeat cooking chicken pieces in batches. (The chicken doesn't have to be cooked through.)
To the skillet add garlic, cooking for 1 minute or until fragrant. Next, add brown sugar, apple juice, chicken stock, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, bourbon, vinegar, onion powder, ginger and red pepper flakes. (You can use water, apple juice or additional chicken stock in place of bourbon.) Stir to combine.
Add chicken back to skillet, stir to coat with the sauce. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes or just until chicken is cooked through and sauce has slightly thickened.
Serve immediately over fluffy rice garnished with green onion.
How To Thicken Sauce at the End of Cooking:
In a small bowl dissolve 1-2 Tablespoons of cornstarch in 1-2 Tablespoons of cold water. Stir until completely dissolved. Increase heat, and stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce. (Do not add it to the pan with undissolved clumps or the sauce will be lumpy.)
Stir well, cook just until sauce has thickened slightly. Repeat process, if desired, until thickened to your taste. (You can opt to skip this step altogether.)

Bourbon - The best bourbon to use is a brand of bourbon that you enjoy. While I do include it in the ingredients for this recipe, it can easily be omitted and replaced with additional chicken stock.
Bourbon Substitute - You can use water, apple juice or additional chicken stock in place of bourbon. It will still be delicious and it will still be bourbon chicken.
Chicken - You can use boneless chicken breasts or boneless skinless thighs for this recipe. Chicken thighs may take slightly longer to cook so adjust the time accordingly.
Honey Bourbon Chicken - You can sweeten the bourbon sauce using honey in addition to the brown sugar. When using honey, you should expect to thicken the sauce at the end of cooking.
Use a Large Skillet - You'll need to use a large 12 inch skillet to make this recipe to allow ample room for all of the ingredients. A large skillet will also give you the freedom to mix things thoroughly.
Soy Sauce - I prefer using soy sauce for this recipe although you could use teriyaki sauce in a pinch without any other adjustments.
Fresh Ginger - You can use 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger in place of the ground ginger called for in the recipe.
Serving Options - Bourbon chicken is traditionally served over white rice. You can use basmati, jasmine or long grain white rice, it's completely up to you. You may also opt to sprinkle the top with toasted sesame seeds, if desired.