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Home / Recipes
30 minutes
4.46 from 61 votes
49 Comments

Bourbon Chicken

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by: Joanna Cismaru
11.27.18
Updated: 06.11.20

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This Bourbon Chicken is a flavorful chicken dish where the chicken is marinated in a bourbon and soy sauce marinade. Served over rice, this dish is easy and delicious!

pouring sauce over a bowl full of rice and chicken

Here’s a recipe I shared with you guys exactly 5 years ago to the day, which I think is crazy, but it’s one of my favorite chicken dishes. Bourbon chicken was the dish I’d always have whenever we used to go to the mall for a quick lunch. I loved it because it’s so flavorful and the chicken is so juicy and tender.

What Is Bourbon Chicken

Although I originally thought that Bourbon Chicken was an Asian dish. However, it is actually a Cajun dish in origin named after Bourbon Street in New Orleans. But it doesn’t really matter where it originated. The important thing is that it’s so good and most importantly so easy to prepare.

a braiser filled with saucy bourbon chicken topped with chives

How to Make Bourbon Chicken

Seriously though, this dish is so simple, the skills required are whisking all the marinade ingredients together and then cooking the chicken. The great thing about this dish is that you can prepare this the night before and just let it marinate overnight. Next day when you come home from work all you have to do is cook the chicken.

I do cook the marinade in this dish and as it cooks it reduces creating this nice and sticky sauce that’s to die for. I like to add half of it to my chicken as it cooks and I cook the remaining sauce separately in a small saucepan until it reduces, so that I have some to drizzle over my chicken and rice afterwards.

bourbon chicken in a braiser topped with chives and a bowl of rice in the background

Tips for Making Bourbon Chicken

Chicken breast will work for this recipe if you’d like to cut down on the fat content. The first time I shared this recipe with you guys, I had it done with chicken breast. While it was still delicious, I think chicken thighs work way better here because they are juicier.

Whiskey, brandy, or scotch would work if you don’t have bourbon. The alcohol evaporates completely during the cooking process, so it’s completely safe for children.

If you don’t want to use red wine, try cranberry juice or even some chicken broth instead.

saucy bourbon chicken in a braiser with a serving spoon

How to Serve Bourbon Chicken

I served this over rice, and I think some veggies like green beans, corn or peas, broccoli, even asparagus would go nicely as a side to this.

a bowl of saucy bourbon chicken over rice

Looking for More Chicken Recipes? Try These:

  • Bang Bang Chicken
  • Chipotle Popcorn Chicken
  • Coconut Chicken
  • Chicken Poppers
  • Cuban Chicharrones de Pollo
  • Shanghai Chicken

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side view shot of bourbon glazed being poured over a bowl of rice topped with bourbon chicken

Bourbon Chicken

4.46 from 61 votes
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 30 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 4
Print Pin Rate
This Bourbon Chicken is a flavorful chicken dish where the chicken is marinated in a bourbon and soy sauce marinade. Served over rice, this dish is easy and delicious!

Ingredients

Marinade

  • 1/2 cup Bourbon
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce low sodium
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger minced
  • 2 tbsp red wine
  • 1 tsp sesame oil

Bourbon Chicken

  • 2 lb chicken thighs boneless and skinless, cut into smaller pieces
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp chives chopped
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Whisk all the marinade ingredients together in a medium bowl thoroughly. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl, toss them around, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to overnight.
  • In a large skillet heat the olive oil over medium to high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until the meat is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add half the marinade to the chicken and continue cooking until the marinade turns into a thicker sauce and the chicken is fully cooked. Should take another 5 to 10 minutes.
  • If you want some extra sauce, cook the remaining marinade in a small saucepan over medium heat, for about 5 to 10 minutes until it reduces about half and thickens a bit.
  • Serve the chicken over rice and garnish with chives.

Video

Recipe Notes

  1. Chicken breast will work for this recipe if you’d like to cut down on the fat content.
  2. Whiskey, brandy, or scotch would work if you don’t have bourbon. The alcohol evaporates completely during the cooking process, so it’s completely safe for children.
  3. If you don’t want to use red wine, try cranberry juice or even some chicken broth instead.
  4. Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
 

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 363gCalories: 534kcal (27%)Carbohydrates: 29.95g (10%)Protein: 54.21g (108%)Fat: 13.94g (21%)Saturated Fat: 2.385g (15%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.195gMonounsaturated Fat: 6.949gTrans Fat: 0.019gCholesterol: 166mg (55%)Sodium: 1259mg (55%)Potassium: 930mg (27%)Fiber: 0.3g (1%)Sugar: 26.94g (30%)Vitamin A: 200IU (4%)Vitamin C: 1.7mg (2%)Calcium: 50mg (5%)Iron: 1.6mg (9%)
Course:Main Course
Cuisine:American
Keyword:30 minute meals, bourbon chicken, bourbon chicken recipe
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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Comments

  1. Louise says

    February 22, 2021 at 1:26 pm

    Thanks Jo, Made this tonight and the other half said it was cooking on another level..who needs a restaurant. Amazing recipe that will go on our rota now.

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team says

      February 22, 2021 at 1:42 pm

      Awesome to hear!

      Reply
  2. James says

    November 17, 2020 at 11:57 am

    Can this be done in a crock pot as well?

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      November 18, 2020 at 9:08 am

      I suppose you could add it to a crockpot and cook it on low for 4 hours.

      Reply
  3. deanna says

    September 17, 2020 at 9:14 pm

    Another fantastic recipe from this site! I didn’t have bouron so I used Fireball and it turned out awesome.

    Reply
  4. Chris Gant says

    April 22, 2020 at 7:19 am

    5 stars
    I have tried a few Bourbon Chicken recipes until I came across yours. I love the fresh ginger, real bourbon and wine in the recipe. Many of the others just call for powder, chicken broth or red cooking wine. Most people don’t realize that the alcohol wears off as you boil the sauce to thicken. The taste though is off the charts. Your recipe is a definite keeper!!!!

    Reply
  5. Gwen B says

    August 1, 2019 at 7:36 pm

    5 stars
    Now THAT is Bourbon Chicken!! The best I have ever tasted…thanks Jo!

    Reply
    • Nicole Beaulieu says

      August 2, 2019 at 10:26 am

      That’s so great to hear! We’re happy you love it 🙂

      Reply
  6. Joyce wilson says

    November 4, 2018 at 4:04 pm

    Like I said in a previous message, I just found your site and I am so excited about it. I hope you don’t mind me asking, but what are some of your followers’ favourite recipes. I will proceed with some of them. Thank you very much.

    Reply
    • Nicole Beaulieu says

      November 5, 2018 at 10:31 am

      Try these recipes! They always get lots of attention on Jo Cooks.
      Skillet Shepherd’s Pie
      No Knead Dutch Oven Crusty Bread
      Sex in a Pan
      Cinnabons Cinnamon Rolls

      Reply
  7. George says

    August 17, 2018 at 1:27 pm

    5 stars
    Tried this, this evening. Amazing recipe and will use again. The others on this site look great too. Many thanks from Scotland!

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      August 20, 2018 at 10:05 am

      Well hello George from Scotland, so glad you dropped by and happy you liked the recipe!

      Reply
  8. Linda Carothers says

    August 11, 2018 at 11:26 am

    5 stars
    Made that s last night and it is a keeper. Followed the recipe exactly and really would not change a thing. It did take longer than your time to reduce, but I use your time as a Suggestion. I do like that you include that, I find it very helpful in planning.
    All your recipes I have tried have been very good, and most are excellent, this one especially!
    Having lived in Kentucky, we love the bourbon😊
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      August 11, 2018 at 12:34 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, bourbon chicken really is one of my favorites!

      Reply
  9. Grace says

    May 30, 2018 at 3:13 pm

    5 stars
    I made this recipe for dinner my husband loved it, I changed nothing.

    Reply
  10. alex says

    April 24, 2018 at 5:47 pm

    5 stars
    great!

    Reply
  11. Tami Carter says

    April 18, 2018 at 5:35 pm

    5 stars
    delicious!!!!

    Reply
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I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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