Bourbon Chicken
Total Time
40 Minutes
Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Rating
4.82 out of 5 stars
(28)
Ingredients
4-6 servings
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup (packed) light brown sugar
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ cup orange juice, from 1 orange
- 3 tablespoons bourbon
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1½ tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced, light and dark green parts separated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch combined with 1 tablespoon water
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
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Preparation
Step 1
Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk the soy sauce, sugar, water, orange juice, bourbon, sesame oil, and pepper until well combined.
Step 2
Prep the chicken: In another medium bowl, toss the chicken with the 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of the sauce mixture until thoroughly combined.
Step 3
To cook: Heat the vegetable oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken all at once (the skillet will be very full; do your best to spread the chicken into a single layer), and cook, stirring every few minutes, until deeply golden brown and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
Step 4
Stir in the garlic, ginger, and light green scallions and cook, stirring constantly, for about one minute; do not let burn.
Step 5
Add the remaining sauce mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and cook at a gentle boil until the sauce is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes.
Step 6
Stir in the cornstarch/water mixture and cook until the sauce is thickened, about 2 minutes.
Step 7
Off the heat, stir in the vinegar and sprinkle with dark green scallions. Serve over rice.
Step 8
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Chef's notes
For the most authentic taste, bourbon chicken should be made with bourbon, but if that’s not an option, other types of whiskey, such as Scotch, Irish whiskey, or Canadian whisky, can offer a comparable depth and smokiness. Dark rum is also an excellent alternative. For a non-alcoholic version, apple or pineapple juice mixed with a touch of vanilla extract can mimic the complexity bourbon brings to the recipe.
Chicken breasts can be used as a leaner option instead of thighs. Use chicken tenderloins for best results. Keep in mind that the cooking time will be slightly shorter for chicken breasts or tenderloins compared to thighs.
Traditional bourbon chicken has a balance of sweet and savory flavors with a hint of warmth from the ginger and garlic, but it’s not typically spicy. However, you can easily increase the heat by adding crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
