Description
Sizzling bourbon chicken brings Southern comfort to your dinner table with its irresistible blend of sweet and tangy flavors. Succulent chicken pieces glazed in a rich bourbon-infused sauce promise a mouthwatering experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp ground ginger
Seasonings and Thickeners
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Thoroughly pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure optimal sauce absorption and even browning.
- Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, minced garlic, and ground ginger in a medium mixing bowl to create a robust marinade.
- Incorporate bourbon whiskey into the sauce mixture, stirring until ingredients are completely integrated.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the surface shimmers with warmth.
- Carefully place chicken thighs into the hot skillet, allowing them to sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until a golden-brown crust develops.
- Sprinkle black pepper and red pepper flakes over the chicken during the searing process to enhance flavor complexity.
- Dissolve cornstarch into the prepared sauce, whisking until smooth and free of lumps to create a perfect thickening agent.
- Pour the bourbon-infused sauce over the seared chicken, reducing heat to medium-low and allowing the liquid to simmer.
- Cover the skillet and let the chicken cook for 10-12 minutes, occasionally turning to ensure even coating and thorough sauce penetration.
- Check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F, indicating it’s fully cooked and safe to consume.
- Remove from heat and let the chicken rest for 3-4 minutes, allowing the sauce to further thicken and flavors to meld together.
- Slice chicken and drizzle with remaining sauce before serving over rice or your preferred side dish.
Notes
- Pat chicken thighs completely dry to maximize sauce absorption and achieve a beautiful golden-brown exterior that locks in incredible flavor.
- Swap bourbon for apple juice or chicken broth if avoiding alcohol, maintaining the recipe’s rich taste profile while accommodating different dietary preferences.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt content and make the dish more heart-healthy without compromising the savory depth of the marinade.
- Allow chicken to rest after cooking to help redistribute juices, ensuring each bite remains tender and succulent, preventing dry meat and preserving the sauce’s glossy coating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 445
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 1090 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg