One-Skillet Bourbon Chicken

Name: One-Skillet Bourbon Chicken
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: ¼ cup lower-sodium soy sauce; ¼ cup bourbon; ¼ cup unsweetened apple juice; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup; 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic; 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger; ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper; 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1/2-inch-thick strips; 1 tablespoon cornstarch, plus 1 teaspoon, divided; 2 tablespoons canola oil; 2 teaspoons water; 3 cups cooked brown rice; Sliced scallions for garnish

13 Ratings
12 Reviews

Bourbon chicken gets coated in a slightly sweet-spicy sauce for a flavorful dinner that comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

Liv Dansky Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

EatingWell.com, October 2021; updated October 2022

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Read the full recipe after the video.

Recipe Summary

active:

20 mins

total:

20 mins

Servings:

Nutrition Profile:

Nutrition Info

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What Is Bourbon Chicken?

Bourbon chicken is a dish named after Bourbon Street in New Orleans and also for the bourbon in the ingredients list. It can often be found on menus at Chinese American restaurants.

How to Make Bourbon Chicken

All you need is one skillet to make this easy recipe for bourbon chicken! Here are tips on how to make it:

Make the Soy-Bourbon Sauce

This sauce gives bourbon chicken its signature flavor. It's made with soy sauce, bourbon, apple juice, vinegar, maple syrup, garlic, ginger and crushed red pepper. It's essential to use fresh ginger in this recipe. If you need a refresher on how to peel fresh ginger, we've got you covered. Once peeled, we recommend using a Microplane to grate the ginger. If you don't have maple syrup, you can use honey.

Coat the Chicken in Cornstarch

Coating the chicken in cornstarch might seem like an extra step, but the reward is twofold: it gives the chicken a crispy exterior and also thickens the sauce. Use a large nonstick skillet to ensure the chicken isn't overcrowded during cooking.

How to Serve One-Skillet Bourbon Chicken

We recommend serving our bourbon chicken with cooked brown rice. You can also serve it with cauliflower rice.

Additional reporting by Jan Valdez

Directions

Step 1
Combine soy sauce, bourbon, apple juice, vinegar, maple syrup, garlic, ginger and crushed red pepper in a small bowl.

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Step 2
Toss together chicken and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a large bowl. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken; cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the soy-bourbon mixture; stir to coat. Cook, stirring often, until the sauce has reduced to a syrupy consistency and the chicken is cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes.
Step 3
Combine water and the remaining 1 teaspoon cornstarch in a small bowl; stir to mix well. Add to the pan; cook, stirring often, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken, 1 to 2 minutes.
Step 4
Divide rice among 4 plates; top with the chicken and sauce. Garnish with scallions, if desired.

Equipment

Large nonstick skillet

To make ahead

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size:

about 4 oz. chicken & 3/4 cup rice

Per Serving:

521 calories; fat 15g; cholesterol 136mg; sodium 732mg; carbohydrates 48g; dietary fiber 3g; protein 40g; sugars 5g; niacin equivalents 4mg; saturated fat 2g; vitamin a iu 47IU; potassium 226mg.

13 Ratings

5 star values: 8
4 star values: 3
3 star values: 0
2 star values: 1
1 star values: 1

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EatingWell Member

01/29/2023

Yummy! Made my brown rice with chicken broth for extra flavor. I made 1 cup, not sure how much that yields cooked. Super simple to make and loved the flavor of the chicken!

judygoldin

12/21/2022

What can I use instead of the bourbon. I don't do alcohol 🙂

EatingWell Member

11/23/2022

I loved the idea of making bourbon chicken at home. I do think the recipe is good, but in my opinion, it is way too much soy sauce. The soy sauce flavor is overpowering the whole meal. I will probably make it again and half the soy sauce.

EatingWell Member

11/23/2022

Amazingly delicious!! Added 2 tsp of sesame seeds, some sauteed mushrooms, and jazzed up my rice with some southern tiny field peas and Cajun seasoning. Has become one of my all time favorites!!

Lisa in Phoenix

10/21/2022

Recipe calls for 3 cups COOKED brown rice, so yes, you are the dummy. Not fair to rate 1 star because you can’t read.

EatingWell Member

09/23/2022

Great a d very tasty recipe. Loved the flavors. I used another tablespoon of cornstarch on the chicken as chicken wasn't well covered with only one tablespoon. Otherwise prepared as directed

TSmith

08/31/2022

This was fantastic. Even my teenagers loved it. I sauteed some snow peas before the meat and then added them back in. Otherwise I made it as written and it was requested to be made again soon. Better than takeout.

Mary

07/16/2022

This was delicious as written. I did add some orange slices as I had it on hand. Pairs really well with broccoli too.

As for the person who left it only 1 star because they didn't read the recipe, they didn't read the ingredient list either because it is right there and calls for 3 cups cooked brown rice.

EatingWell Member

06/23/2022

Nowhere within the recipe does it talk about cooking the rice, until it says "plate the rice". I guess I'm the dummy for not reading the recipe all the way through first.

EatingWell Member

04/13/2022

Great Stuff !! Made it Exactly like recipe said. wonderful flavor chicken was tender. I'll be putting this in my regular rotation...I might add some orange slices next time.
Wayne

Jeanne

11/10/2021

Couldn’t get the chicken brown and crispy but the flavor was good.

Sarah Ruthven

10/12/2021

This was such a delicious, comforting recipe! Going to make this one again! Great flavors for a fall dish!

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