This Easy Bourbon Chicken is sure to become a family favorite! Tender chicken coated in a super flavorful, yet simple sauce that you won’t want to leave behind. Spoon over a bed of rice or noodles and serve with your favorite vegetable side dish!
Why You’ll Love Our Easy Bourbon Chicken Recipe
When you to get dinner on the table fast, this Easy Bourbon Chicken is one of our go–to recipes!
- Easy To Make: All you need is about 15 minutes and one pan. While the chicken is cooking you can steam a bag of frozen rice and vegetables for a complete dinner.
- Make Ahead: You can easily make this recipe ahead of time and warm it up right in the microwave when you need a quick lunch or dinner.
- Universally Loved By All: There’s not a single person we’ve met that doesn’t love this sweet and garlicky, bourbon flavored chicken.
Ingredients You’ll Need
A photo of the primary ingredients you’ll need, minus the basics like salt and pepper. For a complete list of ingredients with amounts needed, head to the recipe card at the end of the post.
After the photo we’ll talk about a few of the noteworthy ingredients, why they work in this recipe and also substitutions if applicable.
- Chicken Breast: You can also use chicken thighs for this recipe, it just comes down to what you prefer or what you have on hand.
- Toasted Sesame Oil: Toasted sesame oil has a deeper, nuttier flavor than regular sesame oil, but you can use either.
- Soy Sauce: Many people prefer to use low sodium soy sauce so that the end result isn’t too salty.
- Ginger: Fresh ginger has a bright, citrusy flavor that works wonderfully in this bourbon chicken recipe. You can also use ginger paste in a tube found in the produce department.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is always best, but you can also buy garlic paste in a tube, similar to what we mentioned above.
- Bourbon: All you need a two tablespoons, but it does add a delicious depth of flavor to the sauce. Any bourbon or whiskey that you like drinking – or grab an airplane bottle at the liquor store to use in this recipe.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This adds a tangy element to the sauce without being to harsh.
- Chicken Broth: Just a splash of chicken broth or stock to thin out the sauce without watering it down.
- Cornstarch: This ingredient is used to thicken the sauce, you can also use flour mixed with water.
How To Make
We have step by step photos to take you through the process. For complete instructions, head to the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Make the Sauce: Whisk together soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, brown sugar, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar and bourbon in a bowl.
- Brown the Chicken: Dice the chicken and place into a large skillet with oil. Cook for 5 minutes, tossing, until browned on all sides. Drain any drippings from the skillet.
- Season: Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic and ginger and stir to combine.
- Add the Sauce: Pour in the soy sauce mixture, stir and bring the sauce to a simmer. Once simmering, whisk in the cornstarch mixture, stir and bring to a simmer. Garnish with scallions and serve over rice if desired.
Tips For Best Results
- Size of the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces that are relatively the same size. This way the chicken will all be done at the same time. It also makes for easier eating.
- Don’t Overcook: Don’t simmer the sauce longer than a couple of minutes or it will evaporate too much. This is a quick cooking recipe, and we like it saucy!
- Try Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs are more juicy than chicken breast, so it’s our preference for this recipe. Both will be delicious, however chicken thighs do have more flavor.
- Hold Off On the Salt: There’s only 1/2 teaspoon of salt for seasoning the chicken, but if you’re sensitive to sodium or are watching your intake, you can omit the salt and taste the chicken at the end to see if it needs it.
How About Some More Easy Chicken Recipes?
- Easy Chicken Spaghetti
- BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Almond Chicken
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Crescent Rolls
- Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken
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Easy Bourbon Chicken
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeThis Easy Bourbon Chicken is sure to become a family favorite dinner! Tender chicken in a flavorful sauce with just a hint of bourbon. Spoon over rice or noodles to soak it all up!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1–2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
- 2 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), diced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Whisk the soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, brown sugar, bourbon and toasted sesame oil together in a bowl.
(1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup chicken broth, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons bourbon, 1 tablespoon sesame oil) - Add the oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 5 minutes, tossing, until browned on all sides. Drain any drippings form the skillet.
- Season the chicken with the salt, pepper, garlic and ginger and stir to combine.
(1/2 teaspoon salt, black pepper to taste, 1 tablespoon garlic, 1 tablespoon ginger) - Pour in the sauce mixture, stir and bring the sauce to a simmer. Once simmering, whisk in the cornstarch mixture, stir and bring back to a simmer for 2 minutes. Garnish with scallions and serve.
Recipe Notes
Store: Store leftover chicken in an air tight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Simply reheat the chicken in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken stock if needed to thin out the sauce. Only heat the chicken until just warmed through or the microwave may make it rubbery.
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
