Bourbon Chicken
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
25 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
245 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Asian-American Fusion
Bourbon Chicken
Description
The chicken chunks are first marinated in a mixture of water and soy sauce which enhances tenderness and juiciness, especially for lean cuts like breast. The cornstarch coating creates a slight crust when seared in hot vegetable oil. The sauce, prepared separately, blends salty soy components with the sweetness of dark brown sugar and acidity from rice vinegar, enriched by aromatic ginger, garlic, and onion.
Once the chicken is seared on all sides, it is combined with the sauce alongside bourbon, which adds depth without overpowering. The sauce thickens with a cornstarch slurry, coating the chicken pieces in a glossy glaze. A sprinkle of scallions finishes the dish with a mild onion note and fresh color contrast.
Bourbon Chicken has a balance of tender chicken and sticky, flavorful sauce suitable for serving over rice or with vegetables. The searing technique and marination ensure moist meat, while the sauce’s complexity comes from the layered sweet, savory, and tangy elements.
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken thigh cut into 1-inch chunks, boneless skinless, or chicken breast
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
For the sauce:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- ½ cup chicken stock warm, or water
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 lice ginger (1/4 inch thick and smashed with knife or cleaver)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ¼ cup onion (minced)
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons water)
- 1 scallion (chopped)
Instructions
- Start by marinating the chicken. Mix 3 tablespoons water and 1 teaspoon soy sauce with the chicken chunks, working it with your hands until the chicken has absorbed all of the liquid. Adding water and soy sauce to the chicken (especially true if using chicken breast) results in a moist and tender chicken experience!
- Once the chicken has absorbed the liquid, mix 2 teaspoons of cornstarch into the chicken until well combined and set aside.
- Mix the sauce ingredients by combining the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar, dark brown sugar, chicken stock or water, sesame oil and white pepper and set aside.
- Heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan on high heat until just smoking, and spread the chicken evenly. Let the chicken sear on one side for 1 minute. Use a metal wok spatula (you can also use a rubber spatula if you can’t use metal utensils on your pan) to turn the chicken and sear another minute. Turn off the heat and move the seared chicken to a plate. Set aside.
- Return the wok to medium heat and immediately add the ginger (if using), garlic, and minced onion. Stir-fry for 20 seconds or until the onion is translucent, taking care not to burn the mixture.
- Stir in the bourbon to deglaze the wok, most all of the alcohol will cook off leaving the flavor behind. After 30 seconds or so, pour in the sauce mixture and stir to further deglaze the sides of the wok. Once the sauce comes to a simmer, add the chicken back to the wok. Stir until the sauce comes back to a simmer and gradually stir in the cornstarch and water mixture (stir it up first, as the cornstarch may have settled).
- Continue to stir and cook until the sauce has thickened enough to coat a spoon. At this point, you can remove the smashed piece of ginger or warn your guests so there are no surprises! Stir in the scallions and serve with steamed white rice!
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 245 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 245kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 25g | 50% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 73mg | 24% |
| Sodium | 583mg | 24% |
| Potassium | 450mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 55IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 2.6mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 12mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.6mg | 3% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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