Featuring tender, juicy pieces of chicken coated in a glossy, sticky-sweet sauce, this Easy Bourbon Chicken is a simple homemade dinner that brings takeout-style flavor to your kitchen. Made with chicken thighs, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, bourbon, and brown sugar, it comes together in about 35 minutes and makes a satisfying meal the whole family can enjoy.
Better Than Takeout Bourbon Chicken Recipe
If you love Chinese takeout but want an easy dinner you can make at home, this bourbon chicken recipe is a great choice. The chicken is browned until lightly crisp on the outside, then simmered in a rich sauce that is savory, sweet, and full of flavor. It has the comfort of a restaurant favorite while using straightforward ingredients you can easily measure and control.
Homemade bourbon chicken is especially useful for busy weeknights because it does not require complicated steps or a long cooking time. Once the chicken is cut into bite-size pieces and the sauce is whisked together, everything cooks quickly in a wok or large nonstick skillet. Serve it over steamed white rice for a classic meal, or pair it with noodles and vegetables for something a little different.
The sauce is what makes this dish memorable. Soy sauce and hoisin sauce add deep savory flavor, brown sugar gives the sauce its sticky sweetness, and bourbon adds warmth and depth as it cooks. The result is a glossy coating that clings beautifully to every piece of chicken.
Why This Easy Chicken Recipe Works
There are several reasons this easy bourbon chicken recipe is worth adding to your regular dinner rotation.
- It uses chicken thighs. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs stay tender and juicy, even after browning and simmering in the sauce. They also bring more flavor than leaner cuts.
- It is quick enough for a weeknight. With a total time of about 35 minutes, this recipe is practical when you want a homemade meal without spending all evening in the kitchen.
- It uses simple ingredients. You only need a handful of pantry staples and fresh aromatics to create a takeout-style sauce at home.
- The sauce is balanced. It is sweet, savory, slightly smoky from the bourbon, and thick enough to coat the chicken without being heavy.
Is This Recipe Family Friendly?
Yes, this bourbon chicken can be a family-friendly dinner. The bourbon simmers in the sauce, leaving behind flavor and aroma. If you prefer not to cook with alcohol, you can substitute apple juice or chicken broth. The final taste will be different, but the dish will still have a delicious sweet and savory sauce.
Because the sauce includes soy sauce and hoisin sauce, it has a bold flavor that pairs well with plain rice. If serving younger children or anyone sensitive to salt, using low-sodium soy sauce and low-sodium chicken broth helps keep the seasoning more balanced.
Ingredients Needed
This easy chicken thigh recipe relies on a short list of ingredients to create a flavorful bourbon chicken sauce. For the full amounts, see the recipe card below.
- Chicken thighs – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are cut into 1-inch pieces for quick cooking and juicy results.
- Salt and pepper – Used to lightly season the chicken before it is coated.
- Cornstarch – Helps coat the chicken and also thickens the sauce.
- Vegetable oil – A neutral oil works best for browning the chicken.
- Garlic and ginger – These fresh aromatics add classic flavor and fragrance.
- Soy sauce and hoisin sauce – These ingredients give the sauce its savory, umami-rich base.
- Chicken broth – Helps loosen the sauce and create the right consistency.
- Bourbon – Adds depth and warmth to the sauce as it cooks.
- Brown sugar – Sweetens the sauce and helps create its sticky texture.
- Scallions – A fresh garnish that adds color and mild onion flavor.
How to Make Bourbon Chicken
This homemade bourbon chicken cooks quickly, so it helps to have everything measured and ready before you start.
- Coat the chicken. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then toss them with cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Brown the chicken. Heat the oil in a wok or large nonstick skillet. Cook the chicken in batches so the pieces brown instead of steam. Let the chicken sit briefly before stirring to help create a light crust.
- Cook the aromatics. Remove the chicken from the pan, then quickly sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant.
- Make the sauce. Whisk together the remaining cornstarch, soy sauce, chicken broth, hoisin sauce, bourbon, and brown sugar. Pour the sauce into the pan and simmer until it begins to thicken.
- Finish the dish. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir until every piece is coated and heated through.
- Serve. Spoon the bourbon chicken over rice and garnish with sliced scallions.
Recipe Tips & Variations
These simple tips will help you get the best texture and flavor from your homemade bourbon chicken.
- Use chicken thighs for the best result. Chicken breast can be used, but thighs are more tender and closer to the traditional texture of bourbon chicken.
- Do not overcrowd the pan. Cooking the chicken in two batches allows it to brown properly. If the pan is too full, the chicken will release moisture and steam instead of developing a light crust.
- Try another protein. Shrimp can also be prepared with bourbon sauce, and chicken and shrimp can be served together if desired.
- Add vegetables. Broccoli and mushrooms work well with this sauce. If you add extra vegetables, consider making more sauce so the dish does not become dry.
- Adjust the sweetness carefully. The brown sugar helps balance the soy sauce and bourbon, so reduce it only slightly if you prefer a less sweet sauce.
What to Serve With Bourbon Chicken
Bourbon chicken is most often served over steamed white rice, which soaks up the sticky sauce and keeps the meal simple. It also pairs well with fried rice, chow mein, or lo mein noodles. For a lighter plate, add steamed broccoli, mushrooms, or another vegetable you enjoy.
If you are building a full takeout-style dinner at home, serve bourbon chicken with dumplings, crab rangoon, or egg rolls. The sweet and savory sauce makes it an easy main dish to pair with a variety of classic sides.
How to Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Fridge. Store leftover bourbon chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat. Warm leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.
- Freeze. Bourbon chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. The coating will not stay crispy after freezing and thawing, but the flavor will still be delicious.
More Chinese Takeout Recipes:
- Moo Shu Pork
- Beef and Broccoli
- Sweet and Sour Pork
- Cashew Chicken
Bourbon Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup cornstarch, divided
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 3 tablespoons bourbon
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 scallions, sliced
Instructions
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Place the chicken in a medium mixing bowl. Season lightly with salt and pepper, then toss with 3 tablespoons of cornstarch until the pieces are evenly coated.
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Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in two batches, add the chicken in a single layer. Let it cook undisturbed for 1 minute, then stir and continue cooking until browned and cooked through, about 8 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
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Add the garlic and ginger to the pan and sauté for 20 to 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch, soy sauce, chicken broth, hoisin sauce, bourbon, and brown sugar. Pour the sauce into the pan and bring it to a simmer. Cook for several minutes, stirring as needed, until the sauce begins to thicken.
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Return the cooked chicken to the pan and stir to coat it in the sauce. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the chicken is heated through and the sauce is thick and glossy.
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Serve over cooked white rice and garnish with sliced scallions.
Nutrition
| Carbohydrates: 25g
| Protein: 48g
| Fat: 10g
| Sodium: 1641mg
| Sugar: 12g
Nutritional information is an automatic estimate and can vary based on the specific products used and any changes made to the recipe.