Description
This Bourbon Chicken recipe offers a deliciously flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts or thighs simmered in a rich sauce made from bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, and spices. Garnished with fresh green onions, it’s an easy stovetop meal perfect for a weeknight dinner with a wonderful balance of sweet, savory, and mildly spicy notes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 1/3 cup bourbon
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Thickener & Garnish
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 green onions, chopped thinly for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts or thighs into bite-sized pieces to ensure quick and even cooking. Set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until they are browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add the bourbon, soy sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, ground ginger, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Simmer the sauce: Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the alcohol in the bourbon to cook off.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water to make a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the simmering sauce while stirring constantly. Continue cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet, tossing to coat them thoroughly in the thickened sauce. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to heat the chicken through and let it absorb the sauce flavors.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the chopped green onions over the top of the dish for a fresh, vibrant finish. Serve immediately over rice or your preferred side dishes.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to increase or decrease spiciness.
- If you prefer thighs, they will add more juiciness and flavor compared to breasts.
- Leftover bourbon chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Always cook bourbon in the pan long enough to reduce alcohol content for safety.
Keywords: bourbon chicken, easy chicken recipe, stovetop chicken, sweet and savory chicken, quick dinner, chicken thighs, chicken breasts