Bourbon Chicken
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Bring the flavors of New Orleans to your kitchen with bourbon chicken—tender Asian-style chicken in a bourbon-infused sauce that’s easy to make and always a family favorite.
Imagine a dinner that transports you straight to Bourbon Street in New Orleans—that’s what bourbon chicken is all about! It’s a predominantly Asian dish with a Cajun twist, thanks to the unmistakable warm, oaky flavor of bourbon whiskey. You’ll spot it everywhere, from Cajun eateries and Chinese takeout menus to mall food courts—but trust me, it’s even better made at home.
The ingredients for this bourbon chicken recipe are simple but pack a punch: soy sauce, brown sugar, orange juice, ginger, garlic, rice vinegar, and, of course, bourbon. Together, they create a perfectly balanced sauce that’s sweet, savory, and tangy. Serve it with fluffy white rice to soak up all that irresistible sauce, and dinner is done!
“Five star ratings from the picky eaters in my household—and that includes 2 teens!”
What You’ll Need To Make Bourbon Chicken
- Soy Sauce: Adds umami and a salty base to the sauce.
- Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness to balance the savory elements.
- Orange Juice: Adds a hint of acidity and natural sweetness, brightening up the sauce.
- Bourbon: Infuses the sauce with a deep, oaky flavor that’s a signature of this dish. If you don’t have bourbon on hand, other types of whiskey, such as Scotch, Irish whiskey, or Canadian whisky, can be substituted. Dark rum works too. For a non-alcoholic version, apple or pineapple juice mixed with a touch of vanilla extract can mimic the flavor of bourbon.
- Sesame Oil: Offers a nutty background note. Look for toasted (Asian) sesame oil, which is dark in color and nutty in flavor, not the light, untoasted variety.
- Rice Vinegar: Brings a touch of acidity to the sauce, helping to balance the sweetness.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: Ideal for its juiciness and flavor. If you’re looking for a leaner option, chicken tenderloins or boneless skinless chicken breasts can be substituted; just keep in mind that the cooking time will be slightly shorter for white meat compared to thighs.
- Cornstarch: Coats the chicken for a slightly crispy exterior when cooked and thickens the sauce for that sticky, cling-to-the-chicken texture.
- Garlic, Ginger, and Scallions: These three aromatics form the flavor base for the sauce.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step Instructions
Begin by making the sauce. Simply whisk the soy sauce, sugar, water, orange juice, bourbon, sesame oil, and pepper in a medium bowl.
In another medium bowl, combine the chicken with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of the sauce mixture. Mix until the chicken is evenly coated.
When it’s time to cook, heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high until it’s nice and shimmering. Add the chicken all at once—it’ll fill up the skillet, so just do your best to spread it out in a single layer. Cook the chicken pieces until golden brown and completely cooked through—it’ll take about 10 minutes.
Stir in the garlic, ginger, and light green scallions and cook, stirring constantly, for about one minute; do not let burn.
Add the remaining sauce mixture, then bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat and let it gently boil for about 5 minutes, until the sauce reduces slightly. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook for another 2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
Off the heat, stir in the vinegar and sprinkle with dark green scallions. That’s all there is to it—enjoy!
Video Tutorial
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Bourbon Chicken
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup (packed) light brown sugar
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ cup orange juice, from 1 orange
- 3 tablespoons bourbon
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1-inch (2.5-cm) pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
For Cooking
- 1½ tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced, light and dark green parts separated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch combined with 1 tablespoon water
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
Instructions
- Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk the soy sauce, sugar, water, orange juice, bourbon, sesame oil, and pepper until well combined.
- Prep the chicken: In another medium bowl, toss the chicken with the 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of the sauce mixture until thoroughly combined.
- To cook: Heat the vegetable oil in a 12-inch (30-cm) nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken all at once (the skillet will be very full; do your best to spread the chicken into a single layer), and cook, stirring every few minutes, until deeply golden brown and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic, ginger, and light green scallions and cook, stirring constantly, for about one minute; do not let burn. Add the remaining sauce mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and cook at a gentle boil until the sauce is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cornstarch/water mixture and cook until the sauce is thickened, about 2 minutes. Off the heat, stir in the vinegar and sprinkle with dark green scallions. Serve over rice.
Pair with
Nutrition Information
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
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Made bourbon chicken last night-substituted rum for bourbon. My husband, who does not usually enjoy chicken, said that it was absolutely delicious.
I love your website and have recommended it to many of my friends. Your recipes are always delicious, this one included. Some Chinese sauces have too strong a taste. Not this one. It’s mellow and balanced.
Thank you for all your recipes.
Delicious! Didnt really know what to expect, will it be too sweet too salty? The balance was perfect. Made with Jasmine rice and broccoli. Sooooo good!
This was so good!! Made exactly as written. A definite keeper!!
Looks awesome! Have added to my meal plan for next week. I don’t drink bourbon but cook with GOOD stuff all the time; and FYI to the person who didn’t tolerate bourbon, bourbon is whiskey. I LOVE every recipe of yours I have tried.
Hi Jenn!
Excited to try this! Wondering if you would recommend against using chicken breast or chicken tenders instead of thigh meat?
Hi Pj, I tested it both ways. I prefer thigh meat but chicken tenderloins work well, too. Please LMK how it turns out if you try it!
Hi Jenn!
I did end up trying it but, because I already had them, I used chicken breasts cut into bite-size cubes.
Even though it turned out GREAT and my family raved about how good it was, when I told them that Jenn (you’re a household name in my family!) uses chicken thighs for her recipe, they let out a little sigh, all agreeing that, as good as it was, it would have been even better with thigh meat 🙂 Next time for sure!
Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful recipes, and for taking the time to inspire others with confidence and a desire to cook!
😊
Jenn,
Love your website & recipes. Many years ago I worked with a woman who had also studied in France & she made the most delicious potato & green bean salad. I remember it had a oil, vinegar & honey dressing. Served @ room temp. Would you have a recipe that might mirror that one. I know this is very little information, but she passed away & I have no way finding out the recipe. I thought maybe you might recognize the recipe. Thank you.
Hi Barbara, Thanks for your nice words about the recipes! What you described sounds like a delicious combination but unfortunately, I don’t have a recipe for something like that. I’ll have to add that to my list of recipes to potentially develop. Thanks for the suggestion as I’m always looking for new inspiration!
Can’t wait to try this, Jenn! All of your Asian-inspired dishes have been a huge hit in our household. Question: Do you prefer a particular bourbon?
Hi Sarah, For cooking I would use an inexpensive bourbon. I tested the recipe with Jim Beam. Hope that helps!
I am planning to make this recipe, but I cannot bear bourbon, so I will use another whiskey. I like rye, irish whiskey, just plain old whiskey whiskey — does this sound reasonable to you? I am not a cook and have no imagination as to what something will taste like. Thanks
Sure, Joan – any whiskey will work. Enjoy!
Hi Jenn, can I substitute olive oil for the sesame oil or will that change the flavor drastically?
Hi Lisa, The sesame oil adds nice flavor to this dish; if you don’t want to use it, I would just leave it out. Hope that helps!