Does the alcohol cook out of bourbon chicken?

If you use bourbon in your sauce, some of the alcohol will cook off , and you'll be left with a little bourbon flavor. If you plan to make this dish for children, the residual alcohol content is something to consider. You would need to cook the sauce for at least three hours to remove all traces of alcohol.

What is bourbon chicken served with?

The Bourbon chicken sauce uses sweet, salty, and acidic ingredients to achieve the right balance. Typically, it is served with rice, though you can certainly turn it into lettuce wraps, mix in sautéed vegetables or Roasted Broccoli (what we usually do), or serve it with a crisp salad, like this Asian Cabbage Salad.

What is the difference between teriyaki chicken and bourbon chicken?

But, at the end of the day, they are distinctly different. Bourbon chicken is an umami bomb that features sweet, nutty, toasty, and spiced notes. Teriyaki chicken, on the other hand, leans into sweet, tangy, and salty flavors.

Can kids eat bourbon chicken?

Bring it to a simmer and continue cooking until the sauce thickens. The heat will cook off any alcohol content from the bourbon making it safe to eat for children .

What is similar to bourbon sauce?

Vanilla extract and apple cider vinegar have often been used to mimic the taste of bourbon in recipes, but you can clearly tell when they are used as substitutes.

Can kids eat food cooked with bourbon?

The choice is up to you . You may choose to use cooking methods that help to reduce the alcohol content and use less alcohol in a dish to make it safer for your child. Otherwise the safer option is to choose to leave out alcoholic drinks when preparing food for babies and children.

Can kids eat bourbon barbecue sauce?

Simmer over low heat until the sauce starts to thicken. The alcohol will cook down and evaporate making it safe to eat by children .

Can you use whiskey instead of bourbon in bourbon chicken?

2 LB chicken thighs, skinless. 1/3 Cup Bourbon (or whatever brown whiskey you have sitting around . Dark rum would probably work too). If you don't keep alcohol in your house you can substitute apple juice or cranberry juice.

Can I use whiskey instead of bourbon?

In any co*cktail recipe or in cooking, whiskey and bourbon can be swapped in equal quantities , according to your preference.

Why is it called bourbon chicken?

Bourbon chicken is a dish named after Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, and for the bourbon whiskey ingredient. The dish is commonly found at North American restaurants serving Cajun-themed or American Chinese cuisine.

What is in brown sugar bourbon seasoning?

McCormick Grill Mates® Brown Sugar Bourbon Seasoning allows you to add the sweet taste of quality bourbon to your food: McCormick Grill Mates Brown Sugar Bourbon Seasoning is naturally flavored with brown sugar, bourbon, molasses, red bell pepper, and extractives of paprika, garlic, onion and salt .

What does bourbon chicken taste like?

If you've ever visited a Chinese food court buffet restaurant at the mall, you might be familiar with bourbon chicken. Picture sticky bite-size pieces of tender and juicy chicken, swimming in a mysteriously delicious sweet and salty sauce, served over your choice of rice or chow mein.

Does bourbon hot sauce contain alcohol?

Product Info 5 fl oz Bourbon hot sauce. All natural, gluten free ingredients: aged peppers, bourbon. Contains alcohol ; not a beverage.

Does bourbon sauce contain bourbon?

All barbecue cooks have their own "secret sauce," but for the most part, each relies on some sort of sugar, something acidic like vinegar, fat – typically butter – and something else to make it special. This sauce uses molasses, lemon juice, bourbon and Worcestershire sauce as its main flavors.

Bourbon Chicken (Easy Recipe!) (2024)

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One of my favorite take-out style dishes made with bourbon, brown sugar, ketchup, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, and more for a delicious recipe that packs a serious flavor punch!

Jump to Recipe

Bourbon Chicken (Better Than Takeout) smothers tender chunks of chicken in a homemade bourbon sauce for a quick and easy weeknight meal! One of my favorite take-out style dishes made with bourbon, brown sugar, ketchup, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, and more for a delicious recipe that packs a serious flavor punch!

For more quick dinner options, try my Chicken Fajita Rice Dinner, which is packed with authentic Mexican flavors, or my Easy Chicken Tikka Masala, that’s loaded with bold spices!

Table of Contents

This Bourbon Chicken Sauce is better than takeout!

This Bourbon Chicken has a sticky homemade sauce that’s the perfect balance of salty and sweet, making this dish taste like you just grabbed it from Bourbon Street! After eating it just once, I bet you’ll reach past the take-out menu to grab this recipe card every time!

Serve this over white rice for a complete meal your whole family will love!

5 Reasons Why I Love This Bourbon Sauce For Chicken!

Quick Meal! Who doesn’t love when dinner hits the table in 30 minutes or less on a weeknight?! In fact, I love those recipes MORE!
Spice It Up! If desired, add a tablespoon of chili paste to the sauce to kick up the heat!
Take Out Taste! This Bourbon Chicken has a taste that will bring you right back to the food court days at the Mall! Only this time, you’re enjoying it at home!
Great For Stir-Fries! Turn this recipe into a great stir fry variation just by adding steamed broccoli, carrots, and snow peas!
Homemade Sauce! No fancy ingredients needed for this homemade sticky sauce that’s packed with delicious flavor!

Easy Bourbon Chicken Recipe Ingredients

This Bourbon Chicken Recipe comes together quickly and easily! To start, just coat diced chicken breasts with salt and pepper before cooking them on the stovetop in olive oil.

Then bring this Bourbon Chicken to life by mixing together the sauce using

Can I Use Chicken Thighs Instead Of Chicken Breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are known for being juicer so they’re definitely a great option for this recipe!

How To Make Bourbon Chicken

Coat the diced chicken breast with salt and pepper.
Cook the chicken in olive oil over medium-high heat. Then transfer it to a bowl and set it aside.
Whisk together the soy sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, ketchup, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and ginger in a large bowl. Next, pour the sauce into the pan and let it simmer.
Mix together the water and cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth. Then add it to the bourbon mixture and whisk together, allowing it to simmer all together until it thickens.
Add the chicken, tossing to coat. Serve over rice, and enjoy!

How to serve this Easy Bourbon Chicken Recipe

We love serving this chicken recipe over rice because it soaks up all the delicious sauce. It can also be served on it’s own with veggies on the side.

How To Store Bourbon Chicken Sauce

Keep any leftover Bourbon Chicken in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days. Leftovers can also be frozen for up to one month.

To do so, place them in a Ziploc bag and squeeze out the excess air before placing them in the freezer.

Bourbon Sauce for Chicken FAQs

Can I Use This Sauce Over Fried Chicken?

Yes, you can! Crispy, crunchy Bourbon Chicken would be super delicious!

Do I Have To Use Bourbon In This Recipe?

Since Bourbon is the signature ingredient in this recipe, I don’t really recommend substituting it out. Doing so would alter the final taste of this recipe.
If, for some reason, you choose to, I suggest swapping it out for 1/4 cup of apple juice.

Is bourbon chicken cooked with alcohol?

Yes, 1/4 cup of Bourbon Whiskey is used in this recipe, that’s what gives it it’s name and unique flavor.

More Chicken Dinners To Try

I can always count on Bourbon Chicken when I need a quick meal that’s still extremely delicious! Here are more tasty chicken-based meals that are worth rotating into your menu planning as well!

Let’s Connect!

If you’ve tried thisrecipe, please let me know how you liked it in the comments below and leave a review. I love hearing from you!

Don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos or join our Sugar & Soul Show-offs Community and share them there, where you can join our recipe challenges!

This recipe was originally published in September 2017 and was updated in April 2021 with a new recipe and photos.

5 from 33 votes

Easy Bourbon Chicken

Author Rebecca Hubbell

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

One of my favorite take-out style dishes made with bourbon, brown sugar, ketchup, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, and more for a delicious recipe that packs a serious flavor punch!

Ingredients

Chicken

▢ 1½ pounds chicken breast diced into 1-2” pieces
▢ ½ teaspoon salt
▢ ¼ teaspoon pepper
▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil

Sauce

▢ ½ cup soy sauce
▢ ½ cup chicken broth
▢ ½ cup light brown sugar
▢ ¼ cup ketchup
▢ ¼ cup bourbon
▢ 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
▢ 1 tablespoon garlic paste
▢ ½ teaspoon ground ginger
▢ 2 tablespoons water
▢ 1 tablespoon corn starch
▢ Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the chicken, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for about 6 to 9 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a bowl and set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, ketchup, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Pour into the pan and let simmer for 5 minutes to reduce slightly.
In a small bowl, mix together the water and corn starch until smooth. Pour into bourbon mixture and whisk quickly to combine. Let simmer until thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Add in the chicken and toss to coat and simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Serve hot over rice.

Notes

If you want a spicy version, add 1 tablespoon of chili paste to the sauce.
Water can be used in place of chicken broth.
1½ teaspoons of freshly grated ginger may be used in place of ground ginger.
¾ teaspoon of garlic powder may be used in place of garlic paste.
Dark brown sugar may be used for a deeper, richer flavor.
Bourbon is the signature ingredient in this recipe and should not be omitted.

Nutrition

Did You Make This Recipe?

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