Name: Easy Bourbon Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 3 pounds chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, chopped into 1-inch pieces; 4 tablespoons cornstarch, plus ½ – 1 tablespoon extra; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon pepper; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or sesame oil; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup chicken broth, low-sodium; ⅔ cup soy sauce, low-sodium; ⅓ cup apple juice; ⅓ cup ketchup; ¼ cup bourbon; 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 1 cup brown sugar, dark or light; ½ teaspoon ground ginger; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Jump to Recipe

If there’s a dish that packs both punchy flavor and nostalgic comfort, it’s Easy Bourbon Chicken. This takeout favorite is surprisingly simple to make at home, drenching juicy chunks of chicken in a sweet, sticky, boldly savory sauce with a gentle kick from bourbon (or a kid-friendly swap). One-pot and full of pantry staples, it’s the sort of meal you’ll crave on busy weeknights or when friends come over—delivering restaurant-level flavor with zero fuss.

Easy Bourbon Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Easy Bourbon Chicken starts with humble ingredients, each one playing its own crucial role in layering flavor, texture, and vibrant color. From the shimmering glaze to juicy chicken, here’s what you’ll need and why you shouldn’t skip any of them!

Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless, and chopped into 1-inch pieces for quick, even cooking and excellent sauce absorption.
Cornstarch: Helps develop a golden, crispy exterior while also thickening the luscious sauce at the end.
Salt & pepper: These basics round out all the flavors and make sure nothing tastes flat.
Vegetable or sesame oil: Vegetable oil keeps things neutral, while sesame oil adds unmistakable richness and depth—choose according to your taste!
Garlic: Minced fresh garlic is a must for a fragrant, bold base note in the sauce.
Chicken broth: Provides savory body to the sauce—opt for low-sodium if you’re watching your salt intake.
Soy sauce: Essential for that classic umami kick and salty-sweet balance; low-sodium versions work beautifully.
Apple juice: This adds natural sweetness and a hint of fruitiness, making the sauce extra craveable.
Ketchup: Delivers color, tang, and just the right amount of acidity to balance the sweetness.
Bourbon: Brings mellow vanilla and caramel undertones—swap with extra broth for a kid-friendly dish.
Apple cider vinegar: A dash of tang that brightens up the entire sauce so it never feels heavy.
Brown sugar: Whether dark or light, it creates that signature sticky sweetness.
Ground ginger: A subtle warmth and a softly spicy background note.
Onion powder: Provides a savory backbone without the fuss of chopping onions.
Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): For a fiery touch—adjust depending on how much you want your taste buds to dance!

How to Make Easy Bourbon Chicken

Step 1: Toss the Chicken with Cornstarch

First, you’ll toss chopped chicken breast with a blend of cornstarch, salt, and pepper. This not only seasons your chicken from the get-go but also helps create that irresistible crust, which soaks up the sauce beautifully later. Don’t be shy—coat every piece generously for best results.

Step 2: Brown the Chicken

Heat up your chosen oil in a large skillet or pot. Once shimmering, add the coated chicken in an even layer and let it sear, undisturbed, for 3 minutes on one side. Flip the pieces and brown them for another 3 minutes. They don’t need to cook through yet—just get a tempting golden edge! Work in batches for best browning.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

Remove the browned chicken and lower the heat. Into the same skillet, sauté your minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Then, pour in all the sauce ingredients: chicken broth, soy sauce, apple juice, ketchup, bourbon (or its replacement), apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, ginger, onion powder, and if you like, red pepper flakes. Stir it all together and bring to a gentle boil—your kitchen will smell amazing!

Step 4: Simmer the Chicken

Return the browned chicken (with all those tasty juices) to the simmering sauce. Turn the heat down and let everything bubble away gently for about 10 minutes. This step thickens the sauce, allows the chicken to cook through, and ensures every bite is perfectly glazed.

Step 5: Optional—Thicken the Sauce

If you love a glossy, clingy sauce, quickly whisk more cornstarch with a splash of cold water. Stir into the simmering sauce and let it bubble for another 2 minutes until thickened to your liking. Not everyone takes this step, but for that beloved takeout-style coating, it’s worth it.

How to Serve Easy Bourbon Chicken

Garnishes

A sprinkle of sliced scallions or toasted sesame seeds goes a long way to add both pop and freshness. If you crave extra heat, a light flurry of additional red pepper flakes or even thinly sliced fresh chili can take things up a notch.

Side Dishes

Classic steamed white rice is a dependable pairing, soaking up every last drop of sauce. For something a bit heartier, try jasmine or brown rice. Roasted broccoli, snap peas, or stir-fried bell peppers deliver color and crunch—plus, they make this Easy Bourbon Chicken feel like a complete meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Pile Easy Bourbon Chicken onto lettuce wraps for a playful handheld twist, or fill steamed bao buns for a fusion treat. You could spoon it over fried rice or toss with Asian noodles for an unexpectedly delicious noodle bowl. Don’t be shy about getting creative—the sauce is magic on just about anything!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Easy Bourbon Chicken stores easily in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. That sticky sauce keeps the chicken juicy, and some might argue it tastes even better after a day or two as the flavors mingle!

Freezing

If you have extra, freeze the cooled chicken and sauce in a well-sealed freezer container or bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator when ready to reheat. This makes an excellent meal-prep option for busy weeks ahead.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low, adding a splash of broth or water if the sauce is too thick. The microwave works too—just cover and heat in short intervals, stirring in between, to keep the chicken from drying out.

FAQs

Can I make Easy Bourbon Chicken without alcohol?

Absolutely! For a family-friendly or alcohol-free version, simply skip the bourbon and swap in extra chicken broth or apple juice. You’ll still get all the sweet, tangy, savory flavor with just a hint less of the deep, caramel undertones bourbon provides.

Does it really taste like restaurant/takeout bourbon chicken?

It totally does and maybe even better! Easy Bourbon Chicken delivers the same sticky, sweet-and-salty goodness you love from your favorite takeout spot, but you control the ingredients. Plus, it skips out on anything artificial or overly heavy.

Can I use a different cut of chicken?

Yes! While chicken breast is lean and a crowd-pleaser, chicken thighs are also fantastic—they turn out juicier and a little more forgiving if cooked a bit longer. Just keep the pieces evenly sized for best results.

What if I don’t have apple juice?

No worries! Pineapple juice or even orange juice makes a fine substitute, lending their own bright fruitiness to the sauce. In a pinch, just add a little more brown sugar and vinegar for that sweet-tart balance.

How spicy is this dish?

Easy Bourbon Chicken is naturally mild and family-friendly unless you add a generous shake of red pepper flakes. For a gentle heat, use the amount in the recipe; for extra kick, add more to suit your taste!

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like Easy Bourbon Chicken for a meal that’s both fun to cook and a joy to eat. I hope you give it a try soon—whether you stick to the classic or experiment with your own twists, it’s bound to become a new favorite in your rotation!

Easy Bourbon Chicken Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 14 reviews

Author: Noah
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Easy Bourbon Chicken recipe is a flavorful and simple dish that combines tender chicken pieces with a sweet and savory bourbon-infused sauce. Perfect for a delicious weeknight meal.

Instructions

Toss chicken with cornstarch. In a medium bowl, mix 4 tablespoons cornstarch with salt and pepper. Coat chicken pieces well.
Brown chicken. Heat oil in a skillet, brown chicken on both sides, then set aside.
Make the sauce. Sauté garlic, add remaining sauce ingredients, and bring to a boil.
Simmer the chicken. Return chicken to sauce, simmer for 10 minutes.
Optional: thicken sauce. Mix cornstarch with water, stir into the sauce, simmer for 2 minutes.