Bourbon Chicken is a sweet, sticky, and savory classic that brings irresistible takeout vibes straight to your kitchen. The tender, glazed bites pair perfectly with fluffy rice for a comforting meal.
A rich bourbon sauce caramelizes around juicy chicken, delivering bold flavor in every bite. This quick dish is ideal for busy weeknights when you crave something deliciously satisfying.
What You’ll Need for Bourbon Chicken
- Chicken breasts or thighs – The star protein, tender and juicy when seared just right.
- Bourbon – Adds warmth and depth, creating that signature sweet, smoky note.
- Soy sauce – Balances the sweetness with a salty, umami punch.
- Brown sugar – Caramelizes beautifully, giving the sauce its sticky, glossy finish.
- Garlic cloves – Fresh garlic infuses bold aroma and layers of flavor.
- Chicken broth – Enhances the sauce’s richness, tying everything together.
Quick & Easy Steps for Bourbon Chicken
Start by mixing soy sauce, bourbon, broth, brown sugar, and spices until smooth. Cut chicken into bite-size pieces, toss with cornstarch, and sear in a hot skillet until crispy and golden.
Remove the chicken, then sauté garlic quickly until fragrant. Pour in the sauce to deglaze the pan, let it bubble, then return the chicken. Simmer until the sauce thickens into a sticky glaze. Finish with green onions and serve over steaming rice.
Tasty Tips & Flavorful Twists
For extra heat, stir in a dash of sriracha or extra red pepper flakes. If you’re out of bourbon, a splash of whiskey or brandy will work just fine, keeping that signature warmth.
Fresh ginger instead of ground will deliver a brighter bite, while dark brown sugar adds an even deeper caramel note. Always sear the chicken in batches—crowding the pan prevents that irresistible crispiness.
Storing Leftover Bourbon Chicken
Store leftover Bourbon Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over medium heat or microwave in short bursts, adding a splash of broth to loosen the sauce if needed. You can also freeze it for up to two months—thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as above for an easy, flavorful meal anytime.
Bourbon Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup bourbon
- 3 green onions finely chopped, for garnish
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 pound chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Combine the soy sauce, bourbon, chicken broth, brown sugar, ground ginger, onion powder, and red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl and set aside. Cut the chicken into strips about half an inch thick, then into 1-2 inch pieces; place in a bowl and coat thoroughly with cornstarch. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add half the chicken, searing one side undisturbed for roughly three minutes before flipping to brown the other side. Remove the cooked chicken to a plate and repeat with the remaining batch. Add a touch more oil to the pan, sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, stirring constantly for under a minute. Pour in the prepared sauce mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon to deglaze any browned bits. Bring the sauce to a boil for about a minute, then return the chicken to the skillet, reduce the heat, and simmer until the sauce thickens and reduces by half while coating the chicken evenly. Serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions alongside rice.