Description
Savor southern comfort with this mouthwatering Bourbon Chicken, packed with sweet and tangy flavors that dance across your palate. Classic Louisiana-style goodness comes alive, inviting you to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal straight from your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ½ cup (118 milliliters) bourbon (or apple juice for non-alcoholic version)
Sauce Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup (50 grams) brown sugar
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) ketchup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup (118 milliliters) water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water (for cornstarch mixture)
Seasoning and Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Cooked white rice or fried rice
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by lightly coating it with cornstarch to ensure a golden, crispy exterior when cooking.
- Warm a large skillet with vegetable oil over medium-high heat until the surface shimmers with heat.
- Carefully introduce the chicken pieces into the hot skillet, allowing them to sear and develop a rich, caramelized color for approximately 5-6 minutes, ensuring thorough cooking.
- Transfer the beautifully browned chicken to a separate plate, keeping it warm and ready for the next stage.
- In the same skillet, quickly sauté minced garlic until its aromatic essence fills the kitchen, releasing its intense flavor.
- Create a vibrant sauce by combining bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, ginger, red pepper flakes, and water directly into the skillet.
- Allow the liquid mixture to gently simmer, letting the alcohol evaporate and the flavors meld together for about 5 minutes.
- Introduce a cornstarch slurry to the simmering sauce, stirring consistently to help it thicken and develop a glossy, rich consistency.
- Carefully return the cooked chicken to the skillet, gently coating each piece with the luxurious sauce and allowing it to warm through for an additional 2 minutes.
- Plate the Bourbon Chicken over a bed of steamed rice, garnishing with fresh green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Coat chicken in cornstarch for an extra crispy exterior that locks in moisture and creates a restaurant-quality texture.
- Prevent sauce burning by using medium-high heat and stirring frequently during reduction process.
- Swap bourbon with apple juice or chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version that maintains rich flavor complexity.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control spice level, making the dish friendly for sensitive palates or kids who love mild flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg