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–+ servings
Bourbon chicken on a bed of rice on a white bowl.

Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Chef Ryan Littley
Our easy-to-make Bourbon Chicken recipe combines tender chicken breasts and a sweet and sticky sauce with hints of bourbon.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course dinner, Entree
Cuisine American, Asian-American
Servings 4 people
Calories 481 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb skinless boneless chicken breasts or skinless, boneless chicken thighs
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided 3 tablespoon & 1 tbsp
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic or 1 teaspoon of dry garlic
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced or ½ teaspoon of dry ginger
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon table salt
  • ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
  • ⅓ cup bourbon
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce or regular soy sauce
  • 1 ½ tablespoon rice wine vinegar
  • 1 ½ tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds for garnish

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Instructions
 

  • Remove the chicken breast from the refrigerator half an hour prior to cooking to allow to come to room temperature
  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
  • Using a sharp knife, slice the chicken into 1-inch slices or cubes.
    This will help with the cooking process so that all the pieces of chicken are similar in size and cook evenly
  • Add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, table salt, and black pepper to a shallow bowl or container. Whisk to combine the ingredients.
  • Place the chicken pieces in the seasoned flour, getting a good coating on the pieces, and set aside until needed.
  • Place a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add three tablespoons of butter and the sesame oil to the hot pan. Swirl the butter around so it doesn't burn.
  • Add the pieces to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked, turning the pieces to sear all sides. The chicken should have an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
  • Remove the chicken from the pan and place it on a clean plate while you make the sauce. Tent the chicken with aluminum foil, to keep it warm.
  • Using the same pan, lower the heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the pan.
    Use a spatula to release any of the browned bits stuck to the pan.
  • Add the chopped garlic and ginger to the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  • Add the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and honey to the pan. Stir to combine. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the bourbon to the sauce and whisk together to combine. Let the sauce continue to simmer for 2 minutes. This will burn off the alcohol.
  • Place the chicken back into the pan with the sticky sauce.
  • Fold the chicken into the bourbon sauce to give it a good coating.
  • Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes, turning the pieces over as it simmers.
  • Remove from heat and serve over fluffy white rice with your favorite vegetable.
  • Garnish with sesame seeds and/or sliced green onions.

Notes

Can I make extra sauce? 
If you want extra bourbon chicken sauce, double the ingredients for the sauce, and you will have plenty of extra sauce to coat all the vegetables for a stir fry or to pour over the top of the chicken and rice once plated.  Leftovers can be stored separately in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
What if my sauce is too thick?
If the sauce turns out a little too thick, you can add a splash of water to thin it out.  You could also add more bourbon, apple juice, or chicken broth to the sauce to thin it out.  If adding more bourbon, give the sauce a minute or two to cook off the alcohol. 
Is bourbon chicken spicy?
No, it's not. It's more tangy and sweet than spicy. But you can kick up the heat by adding red pepper flakes or sweet chili sauce if you want a spicier version of the dish.
Can I Make Adjustments to the Recipe?
Absolutely! If you are not a fan of bourbon, you can replace the bourbon with apple juice or apple cider, although the flavor profile will change a bit.
We used boneless skinless chicken breasts to make the recipe but boneless skinless thighs will work just as well.
For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes, sweet chili sauce, or a dash or two of your favorite hot sauce to the sauce.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 481kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 29gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 103mgSodium: 1151mgPotassium: 631mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 385IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 2mg
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