Bourbon Chicken

Last Updated: March 1, 2022

Bourbon Chicken is a favorite dish at many Chinese restaurants, but it’s a little different than what you might be used to. Sure, this restaurant-style bourbon chicken is bursting with flavor, but it’s also healthier and cheaper than takeout. The best part is you can make it in 40 minutes start to finish. With just a few simple steps, dinner comes together beautifully with tender juicy chicken breast smothered in the most delicious sauce!

Ingredients

2 Chicken Breasts
3 Cloves Garlic
1 Teaspoon Salt
3 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar
1/4 Cup Bourbon
1/2 Cup Apple Juice
2 Large Scallions
Steamed Rice
1/4 Soy Sauce
1 Piece Fresh Ginger 2-inch
1/4 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
3 Tablespoons Cold Water
1/4 Cup Dark Brown Sugar
3 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
2 Tablespoons Cornstarch

Equipment

Bowl
Wooden Spoon
Knife
Whisk
Cutting board
Large Wok Pan
Measuring Cups

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1

To make the sauce, we need a medium-sized bowl. Chop the garlic, then peel and chop a 2-inch piece of ginger until you have 1 tablespoon. Add 1/2 cup apple juice, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup bourbon, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 3 tablespoons rice vinegar, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Beat the sauce until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Step 2

Lubricate the chicken with cornstarch. Cut 2 lb chicken fillet into 1/2-inch pieces and place in a large bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 teaspoon of salt and mix thoroughly.

Step 3

Heat a wok over high heat. Add 3 tablespoons vegetable oil and chicken and spread evenly. Let cook undisturbed until golden-brown and seared on the bottom, to 6-8 minutes.

Step 4

Reduce heat to medium and add the sauce to the skillet. Stir to cover the chicken completely and simmer until reduced by half, 10 minutes. Next, combine a tablespoon of cornstarch and 3 tablespoons of cold water in a small bowl and chop the onion thinly.

Step 5

Add the cornstarch mixture to the pan and stir until fully dissolved. Continue cooking, stirring often, until the sauce thickens, is glossy, and coats the chicken, 3 minutes.

Step 6

Serve chicken with rice and garnish with thinly chopped green onions.

Bourbon Chicken is a popular Asian dish in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Its characteristic flavor comes from the combination of bourbon, soy sauce, garlic, rice wine, sesame oil and sugar. The crispy skin and golden brown looks of chicken makes Bourbon Chicken a popular choice for family meals and celebrations.