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–+ servings

Bourbon Chicken

A plate of irresistible bourbon chicken garnished with green onions and served with rice.
A quick and flavorful one-skillet bourbon chicken dish with sweet-savory flavor, perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Serving Size 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Sauce

  • 1/2 cup bourbon Uses flavor; most alcohol cooks off.
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce Use low-sodium if you prefer.
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar Light or dark.
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger Or 1 tsp fresh grated.

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb chicken thighs, diced Boneless, skinless preferred.
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil Substitute canola or light olive oil.
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cooked rice or noodles for serving

Instructions

Preparation

  • In a medium bowl whisk together bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger until sugar dissolves.
  • Warm vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
  • Season the diced chicken thighs with salt and pepper and add to the skillet in a single layer.
  • Cook, stirring occasionally, until pieces are nicely browned on the outside, about 5–7 minutes.

Cooking

  • Pour the bourbon mixture over the browned chicken, stir to coat, and bring to a gentle simmer.
  • Lower heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, stirring every few minutes until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze and chicken is cooked through.

Serving

  • Taste and adjust salt or pepper. Spoon the bourbon chicken over cooked rice or noodles and spoon extra sauce over the top.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of regular soy sauce. If desired, substitute half bourbon with chicken broth to reduce alcohol flavor. Storage: Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.