Description
Easy Bourbon Chicken is a mouthwatering dish that brings the flavors of your favorite Asian restaurant right to your kitchen. This quick and easy recipe features tender chicken pieces enveloped in a sticky, sweet bourbon sauce that balances savory and sweet notes perfectly. In just 35 minutes, you can create a satisfying meal that’s ideal for busy weeknights or special gatherings. Plus, it’s easily adaptable; omit the bourbon for a kid-friendly version that the whole family will enjoy. Serve it over steamed rice or noodles, and watch as this delicious dish becomes a new favorite!
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1-inch pieces)
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or sesame oil)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ⅔ cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- ⅓ cup apple juice
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup bourbon (optional)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix cornstarch with salt and pepper. Toss in the chicken until evenly coated.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and brown on one side for about 3 minutes, then flip and cook another 3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked.
- Remove chicken from skillet. Sauté minced garlic for about 30 seconds before adding broth, soy sauce, apple juice, ketchup, bourbon (if using), vinegar, brown sugar, ginger, onion powder, and red pepper flakes.
- Bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low and return chicken to the skillet. Simmer for about 10 minutes or until sauce reduces by half.
- For thicker sauce, mix additional cornstarch with cold water and stir into sauce; simmer for another 2 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (225g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 90mg