Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Bourbon Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner for two. Pieces of chicken coated in a rich, slightly sweet, and savory sauce with just a hint of spice and served over rice.

The combination of bourbon, brown sugar, soy sauce, and rice wine vinegar creates a sauce that has the perfect balance of flavors.

It is a dish that comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a great meal when you want something homemade but don’t have a lot of time. It has become one of our go-to, take-out replacement meals.

In fact, it is even better than ordering the classic dish at your favorite restaurant. That is because you can make your serving of Bourbon Chicken exactly how you like it.

You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less red pepper flakes, or even a dash of cayenne for extra heat. If you prefer a milder dish, you can leave the spice out completely.

Since the alcohol cooks off during the simmering process, the bourbon adds flavor without being overpowering. However, for those who don’t have bourbon or prefer not to cook with alcohol, apple juice is a great replacement that still provides a touch of sweetness.

As for the type of chicken that you can use, the choice is up to you. The recipe calls for chicken breast but you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a slightly richer flavor and more tender texture.

Regardless, the sauce thickens up nicely with a simple cornstarch slurry, giving the sauce the perfect consistency to cling to the chicken pieces. No matter how you decide to make this Bourbon Chicken recipe, it is a great option for a satisfying homemade meal for two.

Why You’ll Love This Bourbon Chicken Recipe

• Quick and easy: Ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish.
• Minimal cleanup: Everything cooks in one skillet.
• Versatile: You can adjust the spice level, swap out the chicken, or add veggies.
• Perfectly portioned: Designed for two, but can be doubled if needed.
• Takeout taste at home: No driving, no delivery fees, no waiting.

Bourbon Chicken Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons bourbon
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
• 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1/2 pound boneless chicken breast
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh minced ginger
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/2 tablespoon water

SERVING INGREDIENTS

• chopped green onion
• red pepper flakes
• cooked white rice or noodles

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, bourbon, brown sugar, vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.

Heat the sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring often, until golden brown.

Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Give the sauce another whisk and pour it into the skillet. Reduce the heat and let the chicken simmer for 10 minutes to cook off the alcohol and ensure the chicken is cooked through.

While the chicken simmers, whisk together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.

Serve over cooked white rice or noodles.

Substitutions and Variations For Bourbon Chicken

This Bourbon Chicken recipe is easy to adapt and can be customized to fit your taste or dietary needs:

No bourbon? No problem. Just like in my Honey Bourbon Glaze Ham recipe, apple juice is a great alcohol-free substitute that still gives the sauce a slight depth of sweetness.

Use chicken thighs: Boneless, skinless thighs are juicier and more flavorful. However, they might need an extra minute or two to cook through.

Want more veggies? Add bell peppers, broccoli florets, snap peas, or carrots. Toss them in with the sauce so they can simmer and soften.

Make it gluten-free: Use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce.

More spice: Add a dash of cayenne or some sriracha to crank up the heat.

No rice? Try it over lo mein noodles, steamed quinoa, or even cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option.

Crock Pot Instructions

If you prefer a more hands-off approach to cooking, you can make Bourbon Chicken in a slow cooker. Here’s how:

1. Place the chicken in the crock pot.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, bourbon (or apple juice), brown sugar, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
3. Pour the sauce over the chicken and cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 1.5-2 hours, until the chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
4. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with water and stir it into the crock pot. Let it cook on high for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
5. Serve over rice or noodles.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

If you end up with leftovers, they store well and make a great lunch the next day.

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over low heat, or microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between. Add a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed.
• Freeze: You can freeze it for up to 2 months, though the sauce texture may change slightly. Let it thaw in the fridge before reheating.

Tips for Success

• Cut chicken evenly: Try to dice the chicken into uniform pieces so they cook evenly.
• Simmer gently: Don’t crank the heat too high when the sauce is simmering. A slow simmer gives the best texture and flavor.
• Don’t skip the slurry: The cornstarch and water mixture is what gives the sauce that nice, glossy finish that sticks to the chicken.

Bourbon Chicken is a simple yet flavorful dish that’s easy to make with ingredients you likely already have on hand. Whether you cook it in a skillet or a crock pot, this meal is a great way to enjoy a homemade takeout-style dish with minimal effort.

With a few substitutions, you can customize it to your taste and dietary needs. It’s a perfect meal for two that’s satisfying and easy to prepare any night of the week. I hope you like it as much as we do!

Enjoy! Mary

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