Description

This Easy Bourbon Chicken recipe features tender, bite-sized pieces of boneless chicken breast coated in a flavorful bourbon-infused sauce. The sweet and savory glaze comes together quickly using simple ingredients, making it a perfect weeknight dinner that’s both delicious and comforting.

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

Sauce

4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
⅔ cup soy sauce
⅓ cup apple juice
⅓ cup ketchup
¼ cup bourbon
1 cup brown sugar

Optional

Additional cornstarch mixed with cold water for thickening the sauce (if desired)

Instructions

Coat the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine cornstarch with salt and pepper. Toss the chicken pieces in the mixture until they are evenly coated, ensuring a nice crust when cooked.
Brown the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until both sides are golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté Garlic and Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds to release its aroma. Then, pour in the chicken broth, soy sauce, apple juice, ketchup, bourbon, and brown sugar. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Simmer Chicken in Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and return the browned chicken pieces to the skillet. Let it simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce by half and the chicken to cook through fully.
Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix additional cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry. Stir it into the simmering sauce and cook for another minute until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Serve hot over rice or your preferred side.

Notes

For a deeper flavor, marinate the chicken in a small amount of soy sauce and bourbon for 30 minutes before cooking.
Adjust the brown sugar to suit your preferred level of sweetness.
Use apple juice or substitute with pineapple juice for a slightly different fruity note.
If you want a low-sodium version, use low-sodium soy sauce and adjust salt accordingly.
This dish pairs beautifully with steamed white rice or stir-fried vegetables.
Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
The optional cornstarch slurry is helpful to get a glossy and clingy sauce that’s perfect for coating the chicken.

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

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 380 kcal
Sugar: 22 g
Sodium: 960 mg
Fat: 8 g
Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 75 mg

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