Tangy Sweet Bourbon Chicken Recipe Everyone Will Love

Hey, this mouthwatering bourbon chicken recipe will make dinner feel like a celebration of flavor!

Southern kitchens have perfected such delectable combinations over generations.

Tender chicken pieces swim in a glossy, rich sauce that promises incredible depth.

Sweet and tangy notes dance across your palate with each succulent bite.

Marinades packed with complex seasonings turn ordinary protein into something extraordinary.

We love how simple ingredients can create such memorable meals without complicated techniques.

Grab your skillet and let’s craft something delicious that everyone at the table will devour.

Easy Bourbon Chicken Delivers Big Flavor In Every Bite

• Quick Weeknight Winner: Whip up this bourbon chicken in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy families craving a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Flavor Explosion: The combination of bourbon, soy sauce, and brown sugar creates a mouthwatering glaze that transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-quality dish bursting with sweet and savory notes.
• Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Taste: With just a handful of pantry staples and one skillet, you can create a restaurant-worthy meal that impresses without complicated cooking techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.
• Family-Friendly Favorite: Kids and adults alike will love the rich, slightly sweet flavor profile that makes this bourbon chicken an instant crowd-pleaser for any dinner gathering.

Inside Easy Bourbon Chicken

• Chicken Thighs: Tender, juicy meat that absorbs flavors well, boneless and skinless for easy preparation.

• Soy Sauce, Bourbon: Rich umami and depth with a sweet-smoky undertone, choose low-sodium soy sauce for better control of saltiness.
• Brown Sugar: Adds caramelized sweetness and helps create a glossy sauce, light or dark varieties work fine.

• Garlic, Ginger: Provides bold, zesty flavor base, fresh ingredients preferred for more intense taste.

• Chicken Broth: Creates smooth sauce consistency and adds extra savory notes, low-sodium recommended.
• Olive Oil: Helps with initial cooking and prevents sticking, use extra virgin for best flavor.

• Green Onions: Fresh, mild onion flavor to brighten the dish, adds color and light crunch.

Bourbon Chicken Easy Prep

Step 1: Prepare the Skillet and Chicken

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add olive oil and carefully place chicken pieces into the pan.

Cook the chicken until it develops a beautiful golden-brown color on all sides, creating a delicious crispy exterior.

Step 2: Infuse Aromatic Flavors

Drop minced garlic and freshly grated ginger into the skillet.

Stir quickly to prevent burning and allow the ingredients to release their fragrant oils.

Pour bourbon into the pan and let it simmer, reducing the liquid and concentrating the flavors.

Step 3: Create the Signature Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Chicken broth

Whisk these components together directly in the skillet, ensuring they blend smoothly and evenly coat the chicken.

Step 4: Develop Sauce Consistency

Reduce heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer.

Watch as the sauce gradually thickens and transforms into a glossy, sticky glaze that clings perfectly to each chicken piece.

This process typically takes about 10-15 minutes.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Once the sauce reaches a rich, syrupy consistency and the chicken is completely cooked through, remove from heat.

Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions over the top for a bright, fresh finish.

Plate immediately and serve alongside steamed rice or roasted vegetables.

Tricks To Make Bourbon Chicken Taste Restaurant-Quality

• Pat chicken dry before browning to ensure a golden, crispy exterior that locks in juicy flavors.
• Use dark brown sugar for a richer, more complex caramel-like sweetness that complements the bourbon.
• Substitute bourbon with apple juice or chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version that maintains the recipe's delicious glaze.
• Simmer sauce slowly and stir occasionally to prevent burning and achieve the ideal thick, glossy coating on the chicken.
• Serve over steamed rice or cauliflower rice to soak up the delicious bourbon sauce and create a complete meal.

Bourbon Chicken: Saving the Extras

• Store leftover bourbon chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, keeping the meat moist and flavorful.
• Reheat individual portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying out.
• Warm the chicken in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture and restore the original saucy texture.
• Wrap portions tightly in freezer-safe containers or bags, storing for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Bourbon Chicken Serving Picks

• Complement with Jasmine Rice: Fluffy jasmine rice soaks up the rich, caramelized bourbon sauce perfectly, balancing the dish's sweet and savory flavors.
• Pair with Crisp Chardonnay: A lightly oaked chardonnay cuts through the chicken's richness, providing a refreshing contrast with its bright, citrusy undertones.
• Match with Roasted Broccoli: Slightly charred broccoli adds a green veggie crunch that complements the tender chicken and enhances the meal's nutritional profile.
• Serve with Asian Slaw: A tangy, crunchy Asian-style coleslaw with rice vinegar and sesame seeds adds a zesty, cool texture that balances the warm, glazed chicken.

Bourbon Chicken Served Different Ways

• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the dish celiac-friendly and reduce sodium content.
• Alcohol-Free Version: Substitute bourbon with apple juice or chicken broth to create a family-friendly recipe that maintains similar flavor depth.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of brown sugar and serve over cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate intake while preserving the original taste profile.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Swap chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, marinating the protein in the same sauce mixture for a plant-based protein option that captures the original recipe's essence.

FAQs

• What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts are ideal. Thighs provide more flavor and tenderness, while breasts are leaner and cook quickly.

• Can I substitute bourbon with another alcohol?

Yes, you can use apple juice, chicken broth, or even rice wine as non-alcoholic alternatives. Each will slightly change the flavor profile of the dish.

• How do I prevent the chicken from becoming tough?

Cook the chicken on medium heat and avoid overcooking. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F, which keeps the meat juicy and tender.

• Is this dish spicy?

The standard recipe is not spicy. If you want heat, you can add red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha sauce during the cooking process to give it a kick.

Easy Bourbon Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Delectable Bourbon Chicken delivers Southern comfort with a sweet and tangy sauce that dances across tender meat. Juicy chicken pieces glazed in rich bourbon-infused flavors promise a quick weeknight dinner that satisfies you completely.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 4 chicken thighs (boneless, skinless)

Seasonings and Sweeteners:

• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon ginger

Liquids and Oils:

• 2 tablespoons bourbon
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Garnish:

• 2 green onions

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Instructions

1. Preheat a large skillet and heat olive oil until shimmering, then carefully place chicken pieces to develop a rich golden-brown exterior.
2. Introduce minced garlic and grated ginger into the pan, allowing their aromatic essence to permeate the meat while releasing fragrant notes.
3. Deglaze the skillet with bourbon, scraping down caramelized bits from the bottom and letting the liquid reduce and concentrate its flavors.
4. Create a glossy sauce by incorporating soy sauce, brown sugar, and chicken broth, whisking to ensure smooth integration of ingredients.
5. Reduce heat and allow the liquid to gently simmer, transforming into a thick, luxurious glaze that clings beautifully to each chicken piece.
6. Continue cooking until chicken reaches optimal tenderness and sauce achieves a silky, rich consistency that coats the meat evenly.
7. Remove from heat and let the chicken rest momentarily to absorb the remaining sauce’s intense flavors.
8. Garnish with finely sliced green onions, providing a fresh, sharp contrast to the rich, sweet-savory bourbon glaze.
9. Serve immediately, drizzling any remaining sauce over the chicken for maximum flavor impact.

Notes

• Swap bourbon for apple juice or chicken broth if avoiding alcohol, maintaining the rich flavor profile.
• Marinate chicken beforehand in the sauce mixture for deeper, more intense taste penetration.
• Cut chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent glaze coverage.
• For a low-carb version, replace brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg