Irresistible Bourbon Street Chicken
This takeout-style Bourbon Chicken is a sweet, savory, and sticky dish with bold flavors that come from a rich glaze of bourbon, brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic. Itβs easy to make at home and way better than mall food court fare!
π΄ Ingredients
- 1 Β½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- ΒΌ cup bourbon (or substitute with apple juice)
- ΒΌ cup soy sauce
- ΒΌ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ΒΌ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)
- Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
π₯ Instructions
Sear the Chicken:
In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6β8 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
Make the Sauce:
In the same pan, add bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Thicken the Sauce:
Add the cooked chicken back to the pan. Pour in the cornstarch slurry and stir continuously until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken in a glossy glaze.
Garnish and Serve:
Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve over steamed rice or with stir-fried vegetables.
π¦ Amazon Must-Haves to Help You Make the Best Bourbon Chicken
- π³ Nonstick Wok or Skillet β Ideal for quickly searing chicken and simmering sticky sauces evenly.
- πΆ Glass Measuring Cups β Perfect for accurately measuring your liquids like bourbon and soy sauce.
- π₯’ Chopsticks and Rice Bowls Set β Add a fun, authentic touch to serving your delicious creation.
- π§ Garlic Mincer β Easily crush garlic for that bold base flavor.
- πΆοΈ Red Pepper Flakes β The kick that makes this dish pop!
- π₯ Whisk Set β Handy for mixing your sauce ingredients to a perfect blend.
π‘ Helpful Tip: For extra depth of flavor, marinate the chicken in a little soy sauce and garlic for 30 minutes before cooking. This helps lock in that rich umami taste from the inside out!