This utterly irresistible Saucy Bourbon Chicken is a game-changer for your dinner rotation. Tender chunks of chicken bathed in a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy sauce with hints of bourbon create a restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish delivers big on flavor without demanding hours of your time – perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something special without the fuss!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and Satisfying: From prep to plate in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you’re craving something delicious but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
  • Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of bourbon, orange juice, soy sauce, and brown sugar creates a sauce that’s simultaneously sweet, savory, tangy, and complex – each bite is a flavor explosion!
  • Versatile: Works beautifully with either chicken thighs or breasts, and you can easily adjust the spice level to suit your preference.
  • Crowd-Pleaser: This dish has that magical quality of appealing to both sophisticated palates and picky eaters alike – everyone at your table will be asking for seconds.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Sauce:

  • Chicken broth: Forms the savory base of the sauce, providing depth without overwhelming the other flavors.
  • Orange juice: Adds brightness and natural sweetness that balances perfectly with the savory elements.
  • Brown sugar: Contributes rich caramel notes and helps create that gorgeous sticky glaze that coats the chicken.
  • Bourbon: The star ingredient that gives this dish its distinctive warm, slightly smoky flavor profile. The alcohol cooks off, leaving just the flavor.
  • Soy sauce: Provides that umami punch and saltiness that grounds all the sweet elements.
  • Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is non-negotiable here – it adds aromatic complexity that dried simply can’t match.
  • Red pepper flakes: Customize the heat level to your preference – a little goes a long way!
  • Cornstarch: The secret to achieving that perfect sauce consistency – not too runny, not too thick.

For the Chicken:

  • Boneless chicken: Thighs are my preference for their juiciness and flavor, but breasts work beautifully too if that’s what you prefer.
  • Salt and pepper: Simple seasonings that prepare the chicken to absorb all the sauce’s flavors.
  • Cooking oil: Creates a beautiful brown exterior on the chicken pieces.
  • Sesame oil: Adds a nutty undertone that elevates the entire dish – don’t skip this!

For Serving:

  • Green onions: Adds a fresh, crisp contrast to the rich sauce and provides a pop of color.
  • Rice: The perfect vehicle for soaking up all that glorious sauce.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

  • Pineapple Twist: Add 1 cup of pineapple chunks during the last 5 minutes of cooking for a tropical variation.
  • Veggie Boost: Toss in bell peppers, broccoli florets, or snow peas during the last few minutes of cooking for added color and nutrition.
  • Extra Ginger Kick: Add 1-2 tablespoons of freshly grated ginger to the sauce for an aromatic twist.
  • Alcohol-Free Version: Replace the bourbon with apple juice mixed with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to mimic some of those warm flavor notes.

How to Make Saucy Bourbon Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce

Combine chicken broth, orange juice, brown sugar, bourbon, soy sauce, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and cornstarch in a mixing bowl. Whisk until smooth and the cornstarch is fully dissolved. This sauce is the heart of the dish, so take your time to make sure everything is well incorporated.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Cut your chicken into 1-inch cubes – try to keep them roughly the same size so they cook evenly. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, making sure they’re evenly coated.

Step 3: Brown the Chicken

Heat cooking oil and sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken pieces, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the exterior of the chicken turns a beautiful golden brown. This step adds tremendous flavor, so don’t rush it!

Step 4: Add the Sauce

Reduce the heat to medium and pour your prepared sauce into the skillet with the browned chicken. Give everything a good stir to ensure all chicken pieces are coated. Allow the mixture to simmer for 10 minutes, during which time the sauce will thicken slightly and coat the chicken while the flavors meld together.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Spoon the chicken and plenty of sauce over hot rice. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and a pinch of cracked black pepper for a finishing touch of freshness and color.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

  • Brown Properly: Don’t rush the chicken browning step! Those caramelized bits add incredible flavor to the final dish.
  • Sauce Consistency: If your sauce gets too thick, add a splash of chicken broth. If it’s too thin, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water and stir it in.
  • Quality Bourbon: You don’t need top-shelf bourbon, but use something you’d be willing to drink. The flavor does come through in the final dish.
  • Prep Ahead: Mix the sauce ingredients earlier in the day and store in the refrigerator to make dinner assembly even faster.
  • Non-stick Skillet: Use a large non-stick skillet if possible – it makes the cleanup so much easier with this sticky, glorious sauce.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

Serve this saucy delight over steamed jasmine or basmati rice to soak up all that delicious sauce. For a lower-carb option, cauliflower rice works surprisingly well too.

Side Dishes

A simple side of steamed broccoli or a cucumber salad provides a refreshing contrast to the rich sauce. For a complete Asian-inspired meal, add some vegetable spring rolls or a simple cabbage slaw dressed with rice vinegar.

Presentation

For a restaurant-quality presentation, pack the rice into a small bowl, then invert onto the plate. Arrange the chicken around it and drizzle with extra sauce. Sprinkle with green onions and a few sesame seeds for visual appeal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover bourbon chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually continue to develop, making this dish sometimes even better the next day!

Freezing

This dish freezes beautifully! Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. I recommend freezing the chicken and sauce separately from the rice for best results upon reheating.

Reheating

For best results, reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth if needed to loosen the sauce. Microwave reheating works too – cover loosely and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.

FAQs

  1. Can I make this recipe without alcohol?

    Absolutely! You can substitute the bourbon with apple juice mixed with a teaspoon of vanilla extract, or simply use additional chicken broth with a tablespoon of maple syrup for depth. The flavor will be different but still delicious.

  2. Is this dish very spicy?

    That’s entirely up to you! Using just 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes gives a mild warmth, while 3 teaspoons will definitely bring the heat. Start with less if you’re sensitive to spice – you can always add more next time.

  3. Can I use chicken tenderloins instead of thighs or breasts?

    Yes! Chicken tenderloins work wonderfully in this recipe and cook even faster. Just adjust your cooking time down slightly to prevent them from becoming dry, as they’re smaller cuts of meat.

  4. How can I make this dish healthier?

    To lighten it up, reduce the brown sugar by half, use low-sodium soy sauce and chicken broth, and serve over brown rice or cauliflower rice. You can also increase the vegetable content by adding bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli during the final few minutes of cooking.

Final Thoughts

This Saucy Bourbon Chicken recipe strikes that perfect balance between impressive and accessible. It delivers complex flavors that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen, when in reality it’s simple enough for a Tuesday night dinner. The combination of sweet, savory, and tangy elements creates a dish that will quickly become a requested favorite in your household. So grab that bottle of bourbon from the back of your cabinet and treat yourself to something special tonight – I promise you won’t regret it!

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Saucy Bourbon Chicken Recipe

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  • Author: Evelyn
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

This Saucy Bourbon Chicken is a mouthwatering and flavor-packed dish, combining tender chicken bites with a rich, savory, and slightly sweet bourbon-infused sauce. Perfectly paired with rice, this quick and easy recipe is sure to become a family favorite for weeknight dinners or even small gatherings.

 

Ingredients

Units Scale

Sauce

  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup bourbon
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic (about 6 cloves)
  • 1–3 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes (based on spicy preference)
  • 2 teaspoons corn starch

Chicken

  • 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup cooking oil
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil

Topping

  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions

For Serving

  • 6–8 cups cooked rice

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Sauce
    In a mixing bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, orange juice, brown sugar, bourbon, soy sauce, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes (to your spicy preference), and corn starch. Set it aside for later use.
  2. Prepare the Chicken
    Cut the boneless chicken thighs or breasts into bite-sized cubes, about 1 inch in size. Sprinkle the chicken evenly with salt and black pepper for seasoning.
  3. Cook the Chicken
    Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cooking oil and sesame oil, letting them heat for about 1 minute. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until the exterior is browned, which takes about 10 minutes.
  4. Simmer in the Sauce
    Reduce the heat to medium and pour the prepared sauce mixture over the browned chicken. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly in the sauce, then let it all simmer together for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and thicken.
  5. Serve and Garnish
    Serve the saucy bourbon chicken hot over a bed of cooked rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and, if desired, a dash of cracked black pepper for added flavor.

Notes

  • Slow Cooker Instructions:
    You can also prepare this dish using a slow cooker. Simply prepare the sauce and brown the chicken on the stovetop first. Then, transfer the browned chicken and sauce to the slow cooker and cook on low for 5 hours or on high for 3 hours.
  • For a deeper flavor, marinate the chicken in the sauce for a few hours before cooking.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 760
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 65 mg
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Hey, I'm Evelyn! I'm a home cook with a passion for fun, real recipes that make my kitchen my happy place. Dive in and share the flavor of my everyday foodie adventures!

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