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The Ultimate Bourbon Chicken Recipe + VIDEO
5 from 8 votes

The Ultimate Bourbon Chicken Recipe + VIDEO

You'll love our classic Bourbon Chinese Chicken recipe! This sweet, smoky and tangy chicken is easy to make on the stovetop or in a crockpot.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
16 mins
Total Time
36 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 386 kcal
Course: Main Course, Dinner
Cuisine: Asian, Fusion, Chinese, Creole

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds chicken breast and/or thighs, boneless
  • 3 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 cup apple juice
  • 2/3 cup light brown sugar packed
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup bourbon
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil or peanut oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • salt
  • black pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cut the chicken into small 1 inch pieces toss with corn starch, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper.
  2. In a medium bowl mix the apple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, bourbon, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, ginger powder, and crushed red pepper together. Mix well.
  3. Set a large saucepot (or sauté pan) over medium heat. Add the oil. Once hot move the chicken to the pan and sear the pieces on all sides. Then move the chicken onto a holding plate.
  4. Next add the garlic. Sauté for one minute. Then pour in the sauce. Stir and bring to a boil. Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken for 5 minutes.
  5. Stir in the chicken pieces and simmer another 5 minutes to finish cooking. Serve warm with chopped scallions on top.

Notes

  • Feel free to omit the bourbon and add more apple juice, and crank up the spice if desired.
  • Feel free to omit the bourbon and add more apple juice, and crank up the spice if desired.
  • Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, homemade Bourbon Chicken will keep well for up to 4 days. If you use bourbon to make this recipe, the chicken will not freeze well. However, if you'd just used apple juice you can certainly freeze leftovers. Allow the chicken to cool completely before transferring to a sealed zipper bag. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months, and allow to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Nutrition Information

Serving 0.75cup Calories 386kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 28g (9%) Protein 38g (76%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g (6%) Monounsaturated Fat 2g (10%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 109mg (36%) Sodium 1084mg (45%) Potassium 754mg (16%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 23g (46%) Vitamin A 127IU (3%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 35mg (4%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 386

% Daily Value*

Serving 0.75cup
Calories 386kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 28g 9%
Protein 38g 76%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 109mg 36%
Sodium 1084mg 45%
Potassium 754mg 16%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 23g 46%
Vitamin A 127IU 3%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 35mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.