Bourbon chicken is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines tender chicken with a rich and slightly sweet bourbon sauce. This recipe is easy to make and perfect for a cozy dinner at home. The combination of bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, and spices creates a delicious sauce that coats the chicken and adds a depth of flavor. Serve this dish over rice or noodles for a complete meal that will satisfy your cravings.
Ingredients for Bourbon Chicken
For the Chicken:
- 1 ½ pounds (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Sauce:
- ½ cup (120ml) bourbon
- ½ cup (120ml) soy sauce
- ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- Green onions, sliced (for garnish)
How to Make Bourbon Chicken
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
- Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
- In the same skillet, add the bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Thicken the Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
- Add the slurry to the sauce and stir until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 4: Combine Chicken and Sauce
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat it in the sauce.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through and the sauce is thickened.
Step 5: Serve
- Serve the bourbon chicken over rice or noodles.
- Garnish with sliced green onions.
About the Main Ingredients
Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs are used in this recipe because they are more flavorful and tender than chicken breasts. They also hold up well to the bold flavors of the bourbon sauce.
Bourbon: Bourbon adds a rich and smoky flavor to the sauce. If you prefer not to use alcohol, you can substitute with chicken broth.
Soy Sauce: Soy sauce adds saltiness and umami to the sauce, balancing out the sweetness of the brown sugar.
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds sweetness and helps to caramelize the sauce, giving it a rich flavor.
Garlic and Ginger: These aromatics add depth and complexity to the sauce.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: These add a bit of heat to the dish. Adjust the amount to suit your taste.
Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used to thicken the sauce. It creates a glossy coating that clings to the chicken.
Green Onions: Green onions add a fresh and bright flavor to the dish. They also add a pop of color as a garnish.
