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Bourbon Chicken
Easy Bourbon Chicken is sweet, sticky, and better than take out! Serve it over white rice and you have a filling dinner recipes that your family will love! With minimal ingredients, this Bourbon Chicken recipe is budget friendly and will feed a family of 4.
Jump to RecipeTable of Contents
- IS THERE ALCOHOL IN BOURBON CHICKEN
- WATCH THIS STEP-BY-STEP RECIPE VIDEO:
- WHAT KIND OF MEAT IS BOURBON CHICKEN
- WHAT DOES BOURBON SAUCE TASTE LIKE
- CAN YOU COOK BOURBON CHICKEN ON THE GRILL
- JUMP TO RECIPE
- Hope you enjoyed this easy to make Bourbon Chicken Recipe! Before you go, here are a few more delicious recipes you might enjoy today!
Easy Bourbon Chicken is sweet, sticky, and better than take out! Serve it over white rice and you have a filling dinner recipe that your family will love!
With minimal ingredients, this Bourbon Chicken recipe is budget friendly and will feed a family of 4.
IS THERE ALCOHOL IN BOURBON CHICKEN
Traditionally yes, there is alcohol in bourbon chicken. Usually recipes call for about ¼ cup.
Our family, however, does not drink alcohol so we use an easy substitute for the bourbon in this recipe. You might not believe it, but regular apple juice does a great job of substituting bourbon in this easy to make recipe!
WATCH THIS STEP-BY-STEP RECIPE VIDEO:
RECIPE VIDEO: Better Than Takeout Fried Rice from Spaceships and Laser Beams. CLICK HERE for the Printable Recipe!
If you do choose to use actual bourbon in this recipe, rest assured that all of the alcohol is cooked off during the simmering process. Either way, this recipe is delicious.
WHAT KIND OF MEAT IS BOURBON CHICKEN
You can use a variety of different types of chicken in this recipe from chicken thighs, rotisserie chicken, to chicken breasts. Each cooks to perfection in this easy sauce that combines soy sauce with brown sugar and different seasonings.
If using chicken thighs, I would recommend using boneless. They are easier to work with and cook quickly. Make sure to get a nice brown sear on both sides and then chop before adding the sauce.
If time is an issue, you could always pick up a rotisserie chicken and chop it into bite sized pieces. You'll miss out on the nice "browned" flavor that is left in the skillet when browning the chicken but that's okay, it will still be delicious. You'll save about 10-15 minutes cooking and chopping chicken.
Personally I use 4 chicken breasts in this recipe. I prefer to cut them into bite sized pieces before I toss them with cornstarch, that way I can get a nice sear on my chicken before I add the sauce.
WHAT DOES BOURBON SAUCE TASTE LIKE
This bourbon sauce recipe combines soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, apple juice, minced garlic, pepper, water, ginger, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. It comes together easily and turns into the most delicious glaze that thickens up while it's cooking.
When it's done and ready to serve, it's a combination of sweet, savory, smoky, and just plain delicious.
CAN YOU COOK BOURBON CHICKEN ON THE GRILL
Yes, you can cook bourbon chicken on the grill. Set aside about ⅓ cup of sauce to baste the chicken with while it's on the grill. Every time you turn the chicken over add additional sauce using a brush and allow it to caramelize over the hot flames.
I like my sauce thick so I would suggest cooking your chicken on the grill, and then separately allowing the sauce to simmer on the stove for 5-10 minutes.
When your chicken is ready, simply toss the sauce and chicken together and let rest 5-10 minutes. Serve over white rice and enjoy!
Bourbon Chicken
Easy Bourbon Chicken is sweet, sticky, and better than take out! Serve it over white rice and you have a filling dinner recipes that your family will love! With minimal ingredients, this Bourbon Chicken recipe is budget friendly and will feed a family of 4.
Ingredients
- 4 large chicken breasts, chopped into bite sized pieces and patted dry
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ cup apple juice, or bourbon if you have on hand
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup water
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- 3 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- ¼ cup green onions, sliced
DIRECTIONS
- Chop chicken breasts into bite sized pieces and pat dry with a paper towel. Toss chicken in a large bowl with 1 tbsp cornstarch.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add sesame oil. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink. Drain all juices from pan. Return skillet to stove and continue to cook chicken over medium heat until the chicken is browned and the bottom of your skillet is "browned" as well.
- In a medium bowl, combine pepper, onion powder, apple juice, ketchup, soy sauce, water, brown sugar, ground ginger, minced garlic, water, and 1 tsp cornstarch. Whisk together.
- Once chicken is browned, add your sauce mixture. Using a spoon, deglaze the bottom of the pan and make sure to get all of the browned bits up and off of the bottom of the pan. Bring sauce to a boil.
- Once the sauce is boiling turn heat down to low and allow to simmer 5-7 minutes, stirring often.
- Once sauce is done simmering, remove from heat and allow to sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Serve over white rice and enjoy.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 388kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 1901mg | Potassium: 609mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 173IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe? Don't forget to rate it! Leave recipe feedback in the comments below
Hope you enjoyed this easy to make Bourbon Chicken Recipe! Before you go, here are a few more delicious recipes you might enjoy today!
- HOMEMADE SPAGHETTI SAUCE
- BLUEBERRY CREAM CHEESE DANISH
- WHITE CHOCOLATE REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE BITES
- ZUCCHINI ZOODLES IN A LOW CARB SPAGHETTI SAUCE
- FREEZER BREAKFAST BURRITOS
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- SLOW COOKER FRENCH DIP SANDWICHES WITH AU JUS
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Comments
Shirley says
I made this with chicken first and it was really good. The second time I made it, I used shrimp. Took them out of the pan after cooking and added the thickened glaze back to them at the end. Served it over rice. Everybody was raving about how good it was.
Kassie says
I think I would half the sugar. other than that everyone was ABSOLUTELY crazy for this.
Mary Ellen says
Can this be made in a slow cooker?
Layne Henderson says
Hello! We haven't tried that so I'm not sure what adjustments would need to be made. Please let me know if you try it out, thanks!
Sang Tran says
Delicious
Cassandra Bush says
Very good and tasty
Liz Ofstad says
Sooo good. And such an easy weekday meal with leftovers.
Jennifer says
We actually substituted the chicken with steak and OMG soioooooo good. Served over Jasmine Rice
Jacqui says
Loved it, easy, quick and delicious. Whole family liked it. Served with rice and broccoli
Shauna says
I think it would work well with shrimp! If you end up trying that swap let us know how it tastes.
Joe Benso says
We loved it and used the Bourbon what a great dish.
Deven says
This was sooooo good the first time I made it. I served it for dinner when we had guest and they devoured it. I had 3 people in my house that are very picky eaters and it was requested again. I do wonder if I could prep and let it sit in the fridge before dinner though
David says
I made this dish for dinner last night and my wife and I both thought it was delicious. It is easy to prep and prepare and was wonderful with white rice. I used the bourbon and followed the recipe as written. I thought the sauce was very much like General's Chicken without the heat. It is a dish I will make again and again. There was plenty of sauce for the 1-1/2 pounds of chicken i used. I will try adding broccoli and carrots the next time time for a change up.
Diane says
Can you use this recipe for crockpot chicken?
Shauna says
YES! You might want to double the sauce so you have extra for your rice! Let me know how it turns out if you try it.
Shelly says
This was delish!!! I used half apple juice & half bourbon. (I doubled ingredients) I also used boneless skinless chicken thighs. I served with Jasmine rice & chili/garlic sauce & Sriracha for individual preferences’ heat. Thanks for sharing!
Shelly says
Also stir-fried Napa cabbage on side
Cheri DeAngelis says
This is a keeper!!! My family ate every bite!!! Thank you!
Monique says
I’ve made this before my girls loved it ❤️❤️ Can it be made in a non stick wok?
Maria says
I don't have bourbon or apple juice what can I use. Beer,wine,apple cider vinegar. None of these
Bailey says
Honestly, I wouldn't recommend substituting the bourbon or apple juice because it would completely change the flavor of the dish. You're welcome to experiment but it may not come out the way you want it to. You only need 1/4 cup apple juice, so if you're able to pick up a small bottle at the store, I would recommend that. If you do try something else, let me know how it works!
HB says
Can brown sugar be substituted with honey or something a little healthier?
Yessi Santana says
Yes, you can substitute with honey. You might need a little bit more so 1 cup since honey is thicker.
Jeannie says
I made this, but I changed it to keto friendly! Delicious!!! Thank you!
Heather Mossey says
Says onion powder but no instructions where to incorporate it
Shauna says
Thank you for bringing that up! I've fixed that on the recipe now and you should be able to see that! You just incorporate it with all the other ingredients when you're mixing them in.
Donna says
I enjoyed this receipt but it came out salty tasting. How would I tame it so it is sweeter. I missed the sweet taste. Still enjoyed it.
Shauna says
If it came out too salty for you, I would recommend using less soy sauce and more brown sugar when you make it again. That should fix the saltiness issue for you!
Sandy says
I have found LaChoy Soy Sauce to be Saltier than say Kikoman. I don't use lite (lower salt) but simply cut back on the amount. Start with 1/3-1/2 C. You can always ADD later. You can also increase the apple juice to 1 C. You may need to use a Corn Starch slurry to thicken up the sauce at the end, but you'll have more delicious sauce to spoon over your rice, or to cover the broccoli if you choose to add it.
Yvonne says
Absolutely love
Leah says
One of the best recipes I have tried!’
Connie crider says
Can I use sesame seed oil instead of sesame oil?
Shauna says
I think it should be ok to do that yes!
Angela Errington says
just saw this recipe and wondered if you could use it when making chicken wings instead of bbq sauces, etc. I have about 4 lbs of wings/drummets and would love to try making them with this sauce. thanks for any help you can give me. have a great day.
Shauna says
You can definitely use this for your chicken wings! If you are making all 4 lbs at once, what I would recommend is first off at least doubling the recipe. Taking half of the sauce, toss the wings in it and put them in the oven. Halfway through baking, take them out and brush more sauce on the wings. After they are done cooking, toss them in any remaining sauce to get them extra saucy if you like them that way. That's how I would do it!
Cassidy says
I'm going to try it, with a few adjustments... Gluten Free.
Shauna says
Let me know what you change and how it tastes!
Meyersgold says
About the bourbon, were you aware the all of the alcohol evaporates during the cooking leaving the great bourbon taste. We had it with the apple juice tonight and it was a winner. Thanks
Mary Fusco says
Made this today and it was absolutely delicious. It is definitely a keeper.
Heidi says
I made this last night and it was a hit. My husband told me next time we will have to double the recipe. He said that would be great when he goes on the road. My daughter loved it also. Will be making it again and again.
Jason says
The pic shows sesame seeds, ingredients do not list it. Also, ingredients show onion powder, but don’t use it in the recipe. Obviously, just added it in with the sauce stuff.
We used maple whiskey, and substituted coconut aminos for soy sauce due to a soy allergy.
Awesome stuff!!!
Scott says
Regular sesame oil, or toasted?
Shauna says
I believe that we used just regular sesame oil. I've never tried it with toasted sesame oil but I think it'd be worth a try!
Barbara Cresta says
Going to try this tomorrow night. My husband just went to the store and came back with Toasted Sesame Oil. I am sure hoping it works as well as the plain sesame oil. I gave it 4 stars because it really sounds delicious and got such great reviews.
Sheryl Hastings says
I just made this a couple of nights ago and it was AMAZING! I did double the sauce recipe because we wanted to add lots of broccoli. Will make it again, and again, and again!
Jennifer says
Your description of the sauce mentions red pepper flakes, but not mentioned in the recipe. How much and where would it be added? Was delicious!
Shauna says
The red pepper flakes are optional and add a bit of heat to the dish. If you end up adding them in, it would be added when you mix all the ingredients for the sauce together. I would recommend starting with 1/8 to 1/4 of a teaspoon and seeing how it is. You can always add more depending on how spicy you want it, but that's what I would recommend.
Beth says
Absolutely delicious!!
cris says
I will try again, mine came out too salty not sweet.
Shauna says
Oh no! Let us know if it happens again!
Gail says
Chris, did you use a low-sodium soy sauce? That might help.
Andrea says
Ridiculously delicious! Easy to follow directions, ingredients already on hand! I will make this over and over! Thanks for sharing!
Carol Lewis says
I liked the taste it was yummy with apple juice and all the other ingredients. thanks
Andrea says
Very delish,I think it would good with pork Otoo,I thought the sauce was perfect....thanks for sharing
Joe says
Hi I did it with pork tenderloin medallions and it was great. Good idea