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Easy Bourbon Chicken

A quick and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken in a sweet and savory bourbon sauce, perfect served over steamed rice.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 3 pounds chicken breasts (boneless and skinless, chopped into 1-inch pieces)
  • 4 tablespoons cornstarch (plus ½ - 1 tablespoon extra, see notes)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or use sesame oil for more flavor)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 cup chicken broth (use low-sodium if you prefer less salt)
  • ⅔ cup soy sauce (use low-sodium if you prefer less salt)
  • ⅓ cup apple juice
  • ⅓ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup bourbon (see notes for a kid-friendly version)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (or less, to taste)
  • 1 cup brown sugar (dark or light)
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, or use more for a spicy sauce!)

Method
 

  1. Mix 4 tbsp cornstarch with salt and pepper, coat chicken pieces.
  2. Heat oil, brown chicken in batches, then set aside.
  3. Sauté garlic, add sauce ingredients, bring to a boil.
  4. Return chicken to sauce, simmer 10 minutes until thickened.
  5. Optional: Thicken sauce with cornstarch slurry, simmer 2 more minutes.

Notes

For a milder flavor, reduce bourbon or omit entirely.