About This Recipe
We've all had this experience, right? That one dish from your go-to takeout place, and you would order it every time (and wish you could make just as good at home)? Mine was bourbon chicken. That glistening, sticky, sweet-and-savory sauce coated to juicy pieces of chicken? Yeah—that one. Sultan and I used to order it just about EVERY Friday night, curled up on the couch watching a movie with no shame. One day, while I looked down at my forkful of bourbon chicken, I thought: “Why can’t I make this myself?” That night was the beginning of a lot of delicious trial and error, and eventually, this simple bourbon chicken recipe was born in my kitchen!
Kitchen Tools for Bourbon Chicken
To make this sweet and savory Easy Bourbon Chicken Recipe, you’ll need a nonstick skillet or wok, mixing bowls, and a small whisk for the sauce. I’ve linked a few go-to kitchen tools—affordable, durable, and perfect for quick dinners. Tongs or a spatula make tossing everything a breeze!
Ingredients
1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Salt & pepper to taste
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
½ cup apple juice (or 2 tbsp bourbon)
? cup brown sugar
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp garlic, minced
1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
Step 1
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 2
Season chicken lightly with salt and pepper.
Step 3
Add chicken to the skillet and cook until golden and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Step 4
In the same pan, reduce heat to medium.
Step 5
Add soy sauce, apple juice (or bourbon), brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, and garlic.
Step 6
Whisk and bring to a simmer.
Step 7
Let sauce reduce for about 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 8
Return chicken to the pan, tossing to coat in the sticky glaze.
Step 9
Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if you like!
Nutrition Information
Calories
390
Saturated Fat
4g
Carbs
28g
Sugars
18g
Protein
30g
Sodium
880mg
Fiber
1g
Secret Tips
Use boneless chicken thighs – they stay juicier and give that authentic mall-style texture.
Sear, don’t steam – get some golden color on that chicken before adding it back into the sauce.
Let the sauce simmer until it reduces and coats the back of your spoon. That’s when the magic happens.
Serve it with jasmine rice or even garlic noodles—it soaks up that sticky glaze beautifully.
Sear, don’t steam – get some golden color on that chicken before adding it back into the sauce.
Let the sauce simmer until it reduces and coats the back of your spoon. That’s when the magic happens.
Serve it with jasmine rice or even garlic noodles—it soaks up that sticky glaze beautifully.
Related Recipes
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to review this recipe!