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Delicious Bourbon Chicken served with fluffy rice, better than takeout.

Bourbon Chicken

A sweet, sticky chicken dish that brings the magic of mall food court to your home, without the delivery fees.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound boneless chicken thighs Can substitute with chicken breasts.
  • 1/4 cup bourbon For flavor (substitutes available).
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce Use regular or low sodium.
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar For the classic sweet glaze.
  • 1/4 cup ketchup Adds color and tang.
  • 2 cloves garlic Fresh is best, but jar is fine.
  • 1 teaspoon ginger Fresh is preferable.
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar Or rice vinegar for brightness.
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch For thickening the sauce quickly.
  • 1 tablespoon oil For cooking.
  • to taste salt and pepper For seasoning.
  • to taste red pepper flakes Optional for heat.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
Cooking
  1. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a little oil. Add the chicken in a single layer.
  2. Let the chicken sit for a couple of minutes before stirring to get some color.
  3. While the chicken cooks, whisk together the bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic, ginger, and vinegar in a bowl.
  4. In a small cup, mix cornstarch with a tablespoon or two of water until smooth.
  5. When the chicken is cooked through, pour in the sauce and let it bubble for a minute.
  6. Add the cornstarch slurry and stir until the sauce thickens to a shiny glaze.
  7. Adjust the taste by adding more vinegar for tartness or brown sugar for sweetness as needed.
Serving
  1. Serve over rice with steamed broccoli or snap peas. Optionally, top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

For best results, avoid crowding the pan and mix the cornstarch with cold water first. Leftovers are flavorful and can be enjoyed in wraps or on salads.