This bourbon chicken recipe is a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. The tender chicken pieces are cooked to perfection and coated in a rich, flavorful sauce that pairs wonderfully with rice or your favorite side dish.
If you don't usually have bourbon in your pantry, you might need to pick some up at the store. It's a key ingredient that adds depth and complexity to the dish. Additionally, fresh ginger and garlic are essential for achieving the best flavor, so make sure to grab those if you don't have them on hand.

Ingredients For Bourbon Chicken Recipe
Chicken breast: Cut into bite-sized pieces, this is the main protein for the dish.
Olive oil: Used for cooking the chicken, it adds a subtle flavor and helps to brown the meat.
Soy sauce: Provides a salty, umami flavor that balances the sweetness of the dish.
Bourbon: Adds a rich, smoky flavor that enhances the overall taste of the sauce.
Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and helps to create a thick, caramelized sauce.
Garlic: Freshly minced, it adds a pungent, aromatic flavor.
Ginger: Freshly minced, it adds a warm, spicy note to the dish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When browning the chicken in the skillet, ensure the pieces are spread out in a single layer and not overcrowded. This allows for even cooking and helps achieve a nice, golden-brown crust. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches to maintain the right temperature and avoid steaming.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
Chicken breast - Substitute with chicken thighs: Chicken thighs are juicier and more flavorful, making them a great alternative to chicken breast.
Olive oil - Substitute with vegetable oil: Vegetable oil has a neutral flavor and similar cooking properties, making it a suitable replacement for olive oil.
Soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce with a similar umami flavor.
Bourbon - Substitute with apple juice: Apple juice provides a sweet and fruity flavor that can mimic the sweetness of bourbon without the alcohol.
Brown sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey adds a natural sweetness and a slightly different flavor profile, but it works well in place of brown sugar.
Garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic, though you may need to adjust the quantity to taste.
Ginger - Substitute with ground ginger: Ground ginger can replace fresh ginger, but use it sparingly as it is more concentrated in flavor.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
Allow the chicken to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the sauce watery.
Transfer the bourbon chicken to an airtight container. For best results, use a container that fits the amount of food snugly to minimize air exposure.
Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to eat the chicken within 3-4 days. This keeps the chicken fresh and flavorful.
For longer storage, place the bourbon chicken in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. Be sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
Label the container or bag with the date. This helps you keep track of how long the chicken has been stored.
When ready to reheat, thaw the bourbon chicken in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. This ensures even reheating and maintains the texture of the chicken.
Reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. You can add a splash of water or chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much.
Alternatively, you can reheat the bourbon chicken in the microwave. Place it in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
Serve the reheated bourbon chicken over rice or with your favorite side dishes to enjoy a quick and delicious meal.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Place a skillet over medium heat.
- Add a splash of olive oil or a bit of chicken broth to the skillet.
- Add the leftover bourbon chicken to the skillet.
- Stir occasionally until the chicken is heated through and the sauce is bubbling.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Microwave Method:
- Place the bourbon chicken in a microwave-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
- Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir the chicken and sauce, then continue heating in 30-second intervals until hot.
- Let it sit for a minute before serving to allow the heat to distribute evenly.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the bourbon chicken in an oven-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through and the sauce is bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and let it sit for a couple of minutes before serving.
Steaming Method:
- Set up a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water.
- Place the bourbon chicken in a heatproof dish that fits inside the steamer basket.
- Cover and steam for about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through.
- Carefully remove the dish from the steamer and serve hot.
Sous Vide Method:
- Preheat your sous vide water bath to 140°F (60°C).
- Place the bourbon chicken in a vacuum-sealed bag or a resealable bag using the water displacement method.
- Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for about 30 minutes.
- Remove the bag from the water bath, open it, and serve the chicken hot.
Best Tools for Cooking This Recipe
Skillet: A large, flat-bottomed pan used for browning and cooking the chicken pieces evenly.
Mixing bowl: A bowl used to whisk together the soy sauce, bourbon, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger.
Whisk: A utensil used to blend the sauce ingredients smoothly.
Measuring cups: Tools used to measure out the soy sauce, bourbon, and brown sugar accurately.
Measuring spoons: Tools used to measure the olive oil, minced garlic, and minced ginger precisely.
Knife: A sharp tool used to cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces.
Cutting board: A surface used to safely cut the chicken breast.
Spatula: A utensil used to stir the chicken and sauce in the skillet.
Stove: The heat source used to cook the chicken and simmer the sauce.
Serving dish: A dish used to serve the finished bourbon chicken over rice or with a side.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prep ingredients ahead: Measure and chop chicken, garlic, and ginger in advance to streamline cooking.
Use pre-minced garlic and ginger: Save time by using store-bought pre-minced garlic and ginger.
Marinate overnight: Marinate the chicken in the soy sauce and bourbon mixture overnight for deeper flavor and quicker cooking.
Cook in batches: If you have a large quantity, cook the chicken in batches to ensure even browning and faster cooking.
Use a non-stick skillet: A non-stick skillet will prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Bourbon Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken Breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- ¼ cup Soy Sauce
- ¼ cup Bourbon
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- 1 clove Garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon Ginger minced
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, bourbon, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken in the skillet and simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Serve hot over rice or with your favorite side.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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