Description

This Easy Bourbon Chicken recipe features tender, juicy pieces of boneless chicken breast coated in a deliciously rich and sweet bourbon sauce, perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner. The chicken is lightly browned, then simmered in a savory blend of garlic, soy sauce, apple juice, ketchup, bourbon, and brown sugar, creating a thick and sticky glaze that pairs wonderfully with rice or steamed vegetables.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
4 tablespoons cornstarch
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce

1 cup chicken broth
⅔ cup soy sauce
⅓ cup apple juice
⅓ cup ketchup
¼ cup bourbon
1 cup brown sugar

Instructions

Prepare the chicken coating: In a medium bowl, mix the cornstarch with salt and pepper. Toss the chicken pieces into this mixture until they are fully coated. This step helps give the chicken a slight crust when cooked and thickens the sauce later.
Brown the chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken pieces and brown them on both sides, cooking for about 6 minutes total. This seals in the juices and adds flavor. Once browned, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté the garlic and add sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, soy sauce, apple juice, ketchup, bourbon, and brown sugar. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. This sauce base will infuse the chicken with rich bourbon flavor and sweetness.
Simmer the chicken: Lower the heat to medium-low and return the browned chicken pieces to the skillet. Let it simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce reduces by half and the chicken is cooked through. This allows the chicken to absorb the flavorful sauce and lets the sauce thicken naturally.
Optional sauce thickening: If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix an additional tablespoon of cornstarch with a little cold water to create a slurry. Stir this into the sauce and simmer for another minute or two until it thickens to your desired consistency.

Notes

For a deeper flavor, marinate the chicken pieces in soy sauce and bourbon for 30 minutes before coating.
This dish pairs well with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
Adjust the brown sugar quantity if you prefer your sauce less sweet.
Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce the salt content.
For a gluten-free option, substitute soy sauce with tamari.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Sautéing and Simmering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 410
Sugar: 25g
Sodium: 900mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: Bourbon chicken, easy chicken recipe, sweet and savory chicken, quick dinner, bourbon sauce chicken