Easy Sticky Bourbon Chicken

This Easy Sticky Bourbon Chicken is sweet, tangy, slightly spicy and oh so delicious! Taking only 30 minutes or less from start to finish, this easy dinner is both simple and quick! A tasty homemade takeout that the whole family will enjoy.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings servings

Calories 610kcal

Author Oriana Romero

Equipment

Ingredients

1 1/2 - 2 lb (680 - 900 g) boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons (20 – 30 g) cornstarch, divided
4 tablespoons (60 ml) canola or vegetable oil
2 teaspoons water
Sliced fresh green onion for garnishing (optional)

Bourbon Sauce:

4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup (60 ml) apple juice
1/4 cup (60 ml) bourbon
1/2 cup (120 ml) water
1/3 cup (80 ml) soy sauce
1/3 cup (67 g) brown sugar
1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons (40 g) ketchup
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger (1 teaspoon dried ginger can be substituted)
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 – 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Then toss with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, so the pieces are coated.
Add oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot add the chicken in batches; do not overcrowd the pan. Cook about 3 minutes, then flip. Do not move around the chicken too much, so it can get brown and crispy. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate.
Mix the sauce ingredients in a bowl.
To the same skillet, pour the sauce and bring to a boil over medium heat; cook for 5 minutes; this will help cook off the alcohol. Use a wooden spoon to mix and deglaze the pan.
Mix the 2 teaspoons remaining of cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of water and add the mixture to the bourbon sauce to thicken it; mix well to incorporate.
Add the chicken back in and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 5 – 10 minutes, or until the sauce is reduced by about half and thickens a bit, and chicken is fully cooked. The sauce should be glossy and coats the chicken.
Serve the chicken over rice if desired and garnish with the sliced green onions.

Slow Cooker Instructions:

Season and brown the chicken as directed in the recipe (steps 1 and 2).
Then mix only half the amount of sauce ingredients.
Toss the browned chicken and sauce into the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4 - 5 hours.
In the last 30 minutes of cooking, mix the 2 teaspoons remaining of cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of water and add the mixture to the slow cooker; mix well to incorporate.
Serve the chicken over rice if desired and garnish with the sliced green onions.

Notes

STORE: If you have leftovers, place them in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

FREEZE: Easy Bourbon Chicken is a fantastic freezer meal! Let it cool completely before freezing. Once the chicken and the sauce are both completely cool, store it in an airtight container or a freezer-safe zip-top bag for up to one month. Don’t forget to label the container with the date and contents! Thaw it completely before reheating.

QUICK TIPS AND VARIATIONS:

If you don’t have or don’t prefer apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar can be used as a substitute.
Apple juice can be used instead of bourbon if you don’t prefer to cook with alcohol.
For extra spiciness, try adding in some sriracha, cayenne pepper, or extra red pepper flakes.
When cooking the chicken, do it in small batches and don’t overcrowd the pan. This allows the chicken to turn golden and crispy! It takes a bit of extra time, but you’ll get a better brown on it, which makes the chicken extra delicious.
I use chicken breast because that is what my family likes. If you want a more tender cut, use boneless and skinless chicken thighs. Either work, so use what your family prefers!

More Easy Chicken Dinner Ideas You’ll Love….

If you’re going to make this recipe, please read the whole post content to get lots of tips, tricks, and variations.

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Please note that nutritional information is a rough estimate, and it can vary depending on the products used.

Nutrition