Bourbon Chicken
This bourbon chicken recipe will take you right back to the mall food court. you can;t deny the bourbon chicken samples they passed out as you walked by ad just had to get a 2 meat combo plate with fried rice. Now you ca make delicious bourbon chicken right at home. This delicious recipe features tender pieces of chicken smothered in a sweet and savory bourbon-infused sauce. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or if you are just feeling nostalgic.
In the mood for something food court inspired? You’re in the right place! Check out my Orange Chicken and Beijing Beef!
Moreover, This Bourbon Chicken recipe is a flavor bomb that brings together the best of sweet and savory in one dish. The rich, caramel-like sauce is perfectly balanced with a hint of bourbon, creating a depth of flavor that is truly irresistible. The chicken is cooked until tender and juicy, soaking up all the delicious sauce. This dish is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for families or entertaining guests. Plus, it’s easy to make, coming together in under 40 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Bourbon Chicken Recipe:
Furthermore, this bourbon chicken recipe is one of my go to recipes for several reasons:
- Perfect Balance of Sweet and Savory: The combination of brown sugar and soy sauce creates a harmonious blend of sweetness and umami, making each bite rich and flavorful.
- Unique Bourbon Flavor: The addition of bourbon adds a distinctive depth and complexity to the sauce, making this dish stand out from other chicken recipes. The subtle smoky sweetness complements the other ingredients perfectly.
- Simple Ingredients: The recipe uses common pantry staples, so you don’t need to make a special trip to the store. This makes it convenient and budget-friendly.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Bourbon: Adds a unique, smoky sweetness and depth to the sauce. Don’t worry about the alcohol content; it cooks off, leaving behind just the delicious flavor.
- Soy Sauce: Brings the essential savory umami element, balancing the sweetness and providing a rich, deep flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Contributes to the sweetness of the sauce, helping to create that irresistible sticky glaze.
- Garlic and Ginger: These aromatic ingredients add a subtle warmth and spice, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Hoisin Sauce: Adds a slight tang and thickness, helping to bind the sauce together.
- Bayou City Seasonings: adds a depth of flavor to the dish that will make it even more tasty.
- Green Onions, Red peppers, and Sesame Seeds: Optional garnishes that add a fresh, bright finish and a bit of crunch.
How to Make Bourbon Chicken
- Cook the Chicken: Coat chicken thighs with grapeseed oil and season with bayou city seasonings, onion powder, and paprika. mix until evenly coated. Sauté the chicken pieces in a skillet until browned, then remove and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together bourbon, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and other seasonings.
- Make the Sauce: In a skillet, sauté garlic and ginger, then add the sauce mixture and bring to a simmer until it thickens.
- Combine and Serve: slice the chicken into small pieces. Add the chicken back to the skillet, coat with sauce, and garnish with green onions, red peppers, and sesame seeds. Serve hot!
Tips for the best Bourbon Chicken
Additionally, by following these tips you’ll be able to make the best bourbon chicken that is just like the food court classic.
- Use Good Quality Bourbon: The quality of bourbon will influence the final taste. Use one you enjoy drinking for the best results.
- Adjust Sweetness: You can tweak the amount of brown sugar based on your sweetness preference. For a less sweet version, reduce the sugar slightly.
- Control the Heat: If you’re sensitive to spice, omit the red pepper flakes. For extra heat, increase the amount.
- Non-Alcoholic Option: Replace bourbon with apple juice or chicken broth if you prefer a non-alcoholic version.
- Leftovers: This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Store in an airtight container and reheat gently.
FAQ
Q: Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
A: Yes, you can use chicken breasts. However, thighs are recommended as they tend to be juicier and more flavorful.
Q: Is the alcohol content high in this dish?
A: Most of the alcohol cooks off during the cooking process, leaving behind the rich, deep flavors of the bourbon without the alcohol content.
Q: Can I make this dish ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! Bourbon Chicken can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave before serving.
Q: What should I serve with Bourbon Chicken?
A: This dish pairs perfectly with steamed rice, vegetables, or even noodles. The sauce is great for drizzling over rice or veggies!
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Bourbon Chicken
Equipment
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Large skillet or wok
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Mixing bowl
- whisk
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken thighs or breast cut into small strips
- 2 tbs grapeseed oil
- 1 tbsp bayou city all purpose seasoning
- 1 tbsp bayou city all purpose seasoning
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
Bourbon Sauce
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp garlic paste note 2
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tbsp red pepper flakes optional
- 2 scallions sliced, for garnish
- sesame seeds for garnish
- red pepper for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, coat chicken thighs with grapeseed oil and season with bayou city seasonings, onion powder, and paprika. mix until evenly coated.
- heat skillet over medium high heat (I used a skillet with grates to get grill marks on my chicken, but this is optional) . Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In a wok or skillet, add butter and sauté the minced ginger and garlic paste until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, bourbon, brown sugar, crushed red pepper flakes (if using).
- Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
- slice the chicken into small strips, return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce is well-coated.
- Garnish with chopped green onions, red peppers, and sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot with steamed rice or vegetables.
Better than the mall bourbon chicken. My family and I love the recipe it will be in the rotation of our favorite meals. Thank you.