Bourbon Chicken: The Ultimate Comfort Food for Every Occasion
Published: 28 May 2025
Bourbon Chicken is a savory and sweet dish that’s sure to impress. Inspired by New Orleans Bourbon chicken, it features tender chicken simmered in a rich bourbon chicken sauce that combines the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. The sauce is made with simple yet flavorful ingredients like soy sauce for bourbon chicken, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar, with bourbon adding depth to the dish.
Whether served over rice or in lettuce wraps for a low-carb option, Bourbon Chicken is versatile and easy to make. This dish is perfect for family dinners, and once you try it, you’ll want it on your weekly rotation.
What is Bourbon Chicken?
Bourbon Chicken is a popular dish that originated in New Orleans and is named after Bourbon Street. It consists of sautéed chicken with bourbon sauce that’s rich, sweet, and tangy. The sauce typically includes bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar, which come together to create a flavorful, glossy coating on the chicken. Despite the name, the bourbon in the recipe cooks off, leaving behind a delicious, non-alcoholic sauce that is safe for everyone to enjoy.
The dish is flexible, and many variations exist. Some people add extra ingredients like apple juice or chicken stock for different flavor profiles. Regardless of the version, Bourbon Chicken is always a tasty, crowd-pleasing dish.
How to Make Bourbon Chicken
Making Bourbon Chicken is quite simple. Start by cutting chicken thighs or breast for bourbon chicken into bite-sized pieces. Coat the chicken lightly with cornstarch for crispy chicken, which helps the chicken form a nice crust when sautéed. Heat a skillet over medium heat, then add oil to cook the chicken until it’s golden and crispy on the outside.
Next, make the bourbon chicken sauce by combining bourbon chicken sauce ingredients like soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and apple cider vinegar. Pour this sauce over the cooked chicken and let it simmer, allowing the sauce to thicken. The cornstarch coating on the chicken will help thicken the sauce, creating a luscious, flavorful glaze. Serve your bourbon chicken with rice for the perfect meal.
The Secret of the Sauce
The sauce is what makes Bourbon Chicken special. A combination of soy sauce for bourbon chicken, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar creates the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors. The bourbon adds depth and richness to the sauce but doesn’t leave a strong alcohol taste since it cooks off as the sauce simmers. If you don’t have bourbon on hand, you can use a hoisin sauce substitute like apple cider or a mix of soy sauce and brown sugar for a similar effect.
As the chicken simmers in the sauce, it absorbs all those rich flavors, making each bite absolutely delicious. You can adjust the sauce’s sweetness or tanginess to suit your taste, either by adding more sugar or vinegar as needed.
What Is the Best Chicken to Use?
When making Bourbon Chicken, you have a couple of options for the best chicken cuts. Chicken thighs or breast for bourbon chicken work well because they cook quickly and absorb the sauce’s flavors beautifully. Chicken thighs offer a juicier, more flavorful option, while chicken breasts are leaner and slightly milder. Both cuts work great, so choose based on your preference.
You can also make bourbon chicken with chicken wings if you prefer a different texture. They add a fun, crispy element and pair wonderfully with the rich sauce. The key is to cube your chicken into even pieces so that they cook uniformly and absorb the sauce perfectly.
What to Serve with Bourbon Chicken?
Bourbon Chicken is often served with bourbon chicken over rice to soak up all that delicious sauce. A simple white rice works well, but you can also use jasmine or brown rice for a slightly different texture. If you’re looking for a low-carb alternative, try serving the chicken in lettuce wraps, which add a nice crunch and freshness to the dish.
For added flavor, garnish your Bourbon Chicken with sesame seeds and fresh chives. These garnishes not only enhance the visual appeal but also add a subtle crunch and burst of flavor to balance the dish.
Storage Tips for Bourbon Chicken
Leftover Bourbon Chicken stores well and can be kept in the fridge for 4-5 days. Make sure to place the chicken in an airtight container to preserve its flavor. If you want to store it for longer, you can freeze it. When freezing, it’s best to separate the chicken from the sauce to maintain its texture.
To reheat Bourbon Chicken leftovers, simply place it in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth to help loosen up the sauce. Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from thickening too much. You can also microwave it, but be careful not to overheat the sauce, or it might get too thick.
Can Bourbon Chicken Be Frozen?
Yes, Bourbon Chicken can be frozen for future meals. If you have a lot of leftovers, store the chicken and sauce in separate containers for the best results. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge or use the defrost function on your microwave. After thawing, heat it up in a skillet or microwave, adding a little water if the sauce is too thick. Freezing this dish helps preserve its flavors and makes for a convenient meal later.
More Saucy Chicken Recipes to Try
If you love saucy chicken recipes, there are plenty of other dishes you might enjoy. Try Honey Garlic Chicken for a sweet, savory flavor or Orange Chicken for a citrusy twist. For something spicy, Kung Pao Chicken and Szechuan Chicken offer bold flavors that pair well with Bourbon Chicken. These dishes are also easy to make and will satisfy your craving for flavorful, saucy chicken.
FAQs
1. Does Bourbon Chicken have alcohol?
Although Bourbon Chicken contains bourbon, the alcohol cooks off during the simmering process. The dish is safe for everyone to eat, including children.
2. Can this be made in the crockpot?
Yes, you can make Bourbon Chicken in the crockpot. Simply add the cubed chicken and sauce ingredients, then cook on low for 4-6 hours until the chicken is tender.
3. Can this be made in the Instant Pot?
To make Bourbon Chicken in the Instant Pot, cook the chicken on sauté mode first, then add the sauce ingredients and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
4. What goes well with bourbon chicken?
Bourbon chicken pairs perfectly with white rice, jasmine rice, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option, along with steamed vegetables.
5. Is bourbon chicken spicy or not?
Bourbon chicken is not spicy; it’s more sweet and tangy, with a savory depth from the bourbon and soy sauce.
Conclusion
Bourbon Chicken is an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dish that combines tender chicken with a rich, sweet, and tangy sauce. Whether you serve it over rice or in lettuce wraps, this dish offers a delightful blend of flavors that everyone will enjoy. With a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking techniques, you can create a memorable meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Don’t hesitate to experiment with the recipe, try different variations, and make it your own.
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- Stay Positive
- True Feedback
- Encourage Discussion
- Avoid Spamming
- No Fake News
- Don't Copy-Paste
- No Personal Attacks
