Give it a taste. It has such a nice touch of sweetness from the brown sugar, and the bourbon really imparts a unique flavor. So good. I really love this dish. And it’s easy to spice up, too, which is great for me. Bourbon chicken is a southern dish with chunks of juicy chicken simmered in a sticky bourbon and brown sugar sauce, with a sweet and spicy kick. It is named for its use of bourbon, but also for Bourbon Street in New Orleans, where the dish originated. You may have encountered the dish in Cajun restaurants or Chinese restaurants from the area, or heck, in mall food courts or other simple menus. It looks like a Chinese dish, and may be Asian inspired, but it’s considered Cajun or Creole. Breaking down the recipe, you’ll cook chopped chicken in a pan, add a quickly made sauce and simmer, then thicken it with a bit of cornstarch. Done! Plus, you can up the chili flakes or add in some spicy peppers if you’re looking for a version with a bit more kick. I know you want to, my spicy food loving friends. It’s quite a bit like other stir fries, though the bourbon gives it a unique flavor unlike other stir fry dishes you’d tried. Let’s talk about how to make bourbon chicken, shall we? Add the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes in a single layer, stirring often, until they begin to turn golden brown. Garlic and Ginger. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Make the Bourbon Sauce. Whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, bourbon, vinegar and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl. Pour the sauce into the wok or pan and reduce heat. It will become sweet sticky. You can cook longer, 20 minutes or up to 30 minutes to build flavor, though don’t let it dry out or reduce too much. Thicken and Sauce. Whisk together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Stir it into the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce thickens to your preference. You can use a bit more cornstarch for a thicker sauce. Boom! Done! Bourbon chicken is ready to serve. Looks delicious, doesn’t it? So tender and juicy. And it’s so quick and easy to make, isn’t it? Done in about 15 minutes once you’ve got everything prepped. That’s it, my friends. I hope you enjoy your new bourbon chicken recipe and that your family loves it. Let me know if you make it. I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Keep it spicy! You can also freeze it for 3 months in freezer containers. Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H. NOTE: This recipe was updated on 7/17/23 to include new information and video. It was originally published on 5/17/21.
