Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Name: Bourbon Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons dried minced onion; 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/3 cup reduced sodium soy sauce; 1/3 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth; 1/4 cup bourbon; 0.5 cup packed brown sugar; 1 tablespoon cider vinegar; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper; 2 cups hot cooked rice; 2 green onions, sliced

Cook Time: 15 minutes

This bourbon chicken recipe delivers tender, juicy, and flavorful results that are sure to impress. Follow these simple steps to create this delicious dish at home!

What is Bourbon Chicken?

Bourbon chicken is a savory dish named after Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The key ingredient that gives it its distinct, boozy flavor is bourbon, which pairs perfectly with a blend of sweet and savory seasonings.

How to Make Bourbon Chicken

Heres a quick overview of what to expect when making bourbon chicken at home:

Toss the chicken in cornstarch: Coat the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to give them a crispy texture when cooked.
Cook the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned, stirring occasionally. Once browned, transfer the chicken to a plate using a slotted spoon.
Cook the onion, garlic, and ginger: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Saut the minced onion, garlic, and grated ginger for 1 to 3 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the remaining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, soy sauce, chicken broth, bourbon (or apple juice), brown sugar, vinegar, and crushed red pepper.
Add the sauce mixture to the skillet: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until it thickens and becomes bubbly.
Return the chicken to the skillet: Add the browned chicken back into the skillet. Stir well to coat the chicken in the sauce and cook for another 2 minutes, until heated through.
Serve: Serve the bourbon chicken over a bed of rice and top with freshly sliced green onions for a burst of color and flavor.

Test Kitchen Tips

If you're not fond of bourbon, you can substitute apple juice for a milder, sweeter flavor.
This bourbon chicken is best served with rice, but you can also add stir-fried vegetables for a nutritious boost.

How to Store Bourbon Chicken

Store any leftovers in an airtight in the refrigerator for up to five days. Reheat before serving.

Community Tips and Praise

Fantastic chicken! Great flavor and so easy! Served it with steamed broccoli and the perfect twice-baked potatoes! - Allrecipes Community Member

My whole family loved it! My husband saved the leftover sauce to use on his rice the next day. The chicken came out tender, juicy, and full of flavor. - Jules

Ingredients

1 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons cornstarch, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/3 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
cup bourbon (or apple juice)
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 cups cooked rice
2 green onions, sliced

Directions

Gather the ingredients: Before starting, ensure all ingredients are prepped and ready to go.
Coat the chicken: In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.
Cook the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring frequently, until the chicken is browned. Once browned, transfer the chicken to a plate using a slotted spoon.
Saut the aromatics: In the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the minced onion, garlic, and grated ginger, and cook for 1 to 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, soy sauce, chicken broth, bourbon (or apple juice), brown sugar, vinegar, and crushed red pepper.
Cook the sauce: Add the sauce mixture to the skillet. Stir constantly and cook until the sauce thickens and becomes bubbly.
Combine chicken with sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir to coat the chicken in the sauce, and cook for another 2 minutes to heat the chicken through.
Serve: Serve the bourbon chicken over a bed of cooked rice, and garnish with sliced green onions.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 542
Total Fat: 20g (26% DV)
Saturated Fat: 5g (26% DV)
Cholesterol: 208mg (69% DV)
Sodium: 1110mg (48% DV)
Total Carbohydrates: 38g (14% DV)
Dietary Fiber: 1g (3% DV)
Total Sugars: 9g
Protein: 46g (92% DV)
Vitamin C: 3mg (3% DV)
Calcium: 52mg (4% DV)
Iron: 3mg (18% DV)
Potassium: 643mg (14% DV)

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may vary depending on your calorie needs.

Bourbon Chicken Recipe

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FAQ about Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Store your leftover bourbon chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Make sure it cools down before placing it in the fridge to preserve freshness.

Yes, bourbon chicken can be frozen. To freeze, place it in an airtight container or a freezer bag and store for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop or microwave.

If you're not fond of bourbon, you can substitute it with apple juice or vanilla extract. Apple juice gives a mild sweetness, while vanilla extract provides a more neutral flavor, similar to what is used in mall-style bourbon chicken.

Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs. Keep in mind that chicken breasts may cook faster and could turn out slightly drier, so be sure not to overcook them.

You can customize bourbon chicken by adding vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas for added crunch and nutrition. Some users also add a touch of honey or brown sugar for extra sweetness.

Yes, you can make bourbon chicken in a slow cooker. After preparing the marinade and browning the chicken, place everything into the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours until the chicken is tender.

Bourbon chicken pairs well with steamed white or jasmine rice. You can also serve it with vegetables like steamed broccoli, sautéed greens, or even roasted sweet potatoes to balance the sweetness of the dish.

The total preparation and cooking time for bourbon chicken is about 30 minutes, with 15 minutes for prep and 15 minutes for cooking. If you're using a slow cooker, the cooking time may be longer.

Yes, bourbon chicken can be made ahead of time. After cooking, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you're ready to serve, reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. The sauce may thicken in the fridge, so you might want to add a splash of chicken broth when reheating.

Yes, you can adjust the sweetness by increasing or decreasing the amount of brown sugar. If you prefer a less sweet version, you can reduce the sugar or substitute it with a sugar alternative like Splenda.

Comments

Navy_Mommy

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

This recipe is not bad. It just needs some adjustments to work. I read a lot of the reviews before I made it and decided on several changes. I chunked the chicken before placing in the marinade. I also marinaded for about six hours rather than overnight. Because I wasn't sure how it would turn out I only bought an airplane size bottle of bourbon. Turns out that is about a 1/4 cup. I didn't think the alcohol taste was too strong. I also added an extra 1/4 cup of brown sugar. I didn't have dried onion or garlic powder on hand so I used fresh grated onion and a clove of chopped garlic. I decided to stir-fry the meat and it worked out wonderfully, however be careful not to over cook the chicken. I also boiled the sauce to reduce it. I let it cook for about 15 minutes at a hard boil and I still thought it was too runny. Next time I won't cook down all the sauce, it made a lot. I served the chicken with white rice and steamed veggies. It turned out sweet and had a taste similar to Hawaiian style Teryaki. Since I have never had Bourbon Chicken from the mall I can't really compair. My husband who isn't a fan of Asian food and my one year old daughter both really liked the chicken. I will make this again.

SUZINOHIO

01/01/2008 09:56:05 AM

I was excited to find a Bourbon Chicken recipe with simple ingredients, as well as good reviews overall. On my second trial of this dish, I did, however, make some changes I believe for the better. First, used boneless skinless thighs (a bag of frozen chicken thighs, like Tyson). I doubled the marinade with the mesurements as writen, but then added about 3 tablespoons of oil (peanut), and topped off the brown sugar to 1 1/2 cup total. I also threw a few dashes of crushed red pepper, just for some contrast. Alot of reviewers said that the liquor taste was very strong, well I have a tip to try next time; you can subsitute Vanilla Extract(the cheap kind works best) for the bourbon. I personaly don't care for he taste of liquor, also this is what they use in the Mall. Tenderize and marinade in the fridge overnight in a gallon ziplock bag. As far as the cooking, I used the same time & temp, but covered the pan with foil until the last 15 or 20 minutes. This gave the chicken a great color and taste. The oil also helped with the browning. Serve the remaining sauce from the bottom of the pan with the chicken over rice or mashed potatoes. I hope these tips will inspire you to make this dish your own too.

Alicia

01/22/2007 04:44:28 PM

This was pretty fantastic on it's own, but wasn't like it is in the mall. I tweaked it a little and it was almost exactly what I get at the mall. I used 2 ounces of soy sauce and 1/4 cup more brown sugar. I used dark brown sugar. You couldn't even taste the bourbon. Absolutely mouth watering delicious!!

Teresa L Foster

06/29/2023 11:59:42 PM

AMAZING! After reading reviews, I realized this dish can be cooked in a slow cooker. Especially since I hate to use my oven when it’s 100° outside. I doubled the recipe except the soy sauce. I cut my chicken into 2” chunks, Combination of thighs and breast, put everything in the slow cooker and cooked on low for 4-6 hours, serve over rice and it is delicious. This is the first burden I’ve ever purchased and I’m 56.

SpiffyChive2209

11/16/2023 06:43:44 PM

Definitely took longer than it says in the recipe. Only thing I did different was made the chicken ahead of time to save time. It turned out great. I don't see any reason to pretend I'm a master chef and change the recipe like people love to do....

Colleen Kelly

08/05/2023 10:38:33 AM

I loved this recipe. However I found that I did not have Burbon so used Spiced Rum instead ... and I used a Rotisserie Chicken as well ... so after letting cut up chicken marinade I put it into the slow cooker and let it cook for a couple of hours on high.

HardyIce4371

04/12/2023 10:53:49 PM

Sounds great. Took a few tips from other viewers, adding less soy & brown sugar because I also love the flavor of the malls chicken. Plus, put a sprinkle of Sesame seeds on it the last few mins of cooking. However, I used an 'Airfryer' on the bake setting, takes less time & wont heat up the house. (325 degrees for 7-12 mins depending on size of breast or if cut into strips). Everything else I did the same. Everyone loved it.! moist & juicy inside and nice & sticky and flavorful on the outside. Will definitely be making this again.!

Andrea Ladik Richard

02/14/2024 09:02:27 PM

This is a great recipe. Fairly easy. It's messy. Lots of cubed chicken, cook it in two batches, grease splashes all over the stove, use a splatter guard it you have one. I didn't like the sauce at first, a little too soy heavy, so I added some more broth and some brown sugar. Served with rice and steamed green beans. I loved it! Will definitely be making it again!

Jen Kramer

12/01/2023 02:34:38 AM

I added a bit of honey and used apple juice. I additionally added some red peppers and broccoli at the end to give it some crisp. It was delicious.

ccbPiccolo

10/04/2023 07:25:30 PM

This was a huge hit with my family and guests. Based on what I had on hand, I used bone-in thighs with most of the skin left on. Also substituted with a small grated onion and a few cloves of sliced garlic. I marinated it in a dish (4 hours) instead of the baking pan, so I was able to thicken the reserved marinade with corn starch. Served it over garlicy rice with orange glazed carrots as a side.

LankyOats4146

08/22/2023 07:01:42 PM

My family and I loved this chicken dish. I cut back on the soy sauce amount and increased the minced onion. I used wild turkey bourbon 100 proof. It really gave the chicken a wonderful flavor, We love Bourbon! I cooked up some couscous and sautéed some fresh Kale to soak up the excess of decadent sauce, yumm

Melnal

09/22/2025 02:23:53 PM

Made this EXACTLY as instructed. If you love bourbon then this is the recipe for you as there were subtle undertones of bourbon in every bite! Served over jasmine rice!

Joseph Wienclaw

09/14/2025 12:58:01 AM

Easy to make exactly as presented!

BraveMug1137

09/01/2025 11:31:33 PM

I think the choice of Bourbon impacts the overall flavor as I used a small batch Bourbon which was a bit heavy on the flavor so needed to tweak a bit more sugar in it to compensate. My only negative is the prep time chopping etc… but overall, the family loved it and said it is definitely a “Make Again”!

Suzanne

07/22/2025 05:06:59 PM

The extra bubbling that happened when I put in the kikoman's sauce was unexpected but everything else with delicious even with tweaking.

Betty Johnson

07/20/2025 09:56:47 PM

Delicious and even fit my sister’s diet plan with a few subs like Splenda brown sugar!

Butch

07/06/2025 02:39:58 AM

I usually make a little extra sauce. My family loves it.

Introvert Cook

06/12/2025 11:30:32 PM

No changes.

duallines

04/15/2025 11:31:26 PM

Very good. My wife loves bourbon chicken and she really liked it. I followed the recipe and thought it turned out great as written. Thanks!

Katherine Rodriguez

03/01/2025 12:49:46 AM

This was the highlight of my day.

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