Easy Mall-Style Bourbon Chicken Recipe

This bourbon chicken recipe delivers the legendary sticky sweetness and savory depth of the famous food court classic. Each bite offers a glossy glaze and tender chicken pieces that pair perfectly with steamed rice. You will love the rich aroma of ginger, garlic, and toasted bourbon as it simmers.

Easy Mall-Style Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Recipe by Chef HarperCourse: Main CourseCuisine: Chinese-AmericanDifficulty: Intermediate

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

420

kcal

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 1/4 cup Cornstarch

• 2 tbsp Vegetable oil

• 1/2 cup Bourbon

• 1/2 cup Low-sodium soy sauce

• 1/2 cup Light brown sugar, packed

• 1/4 cup Apple juice

• 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar

• 1 tbsp Fresh ginger, minced

• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced

• 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes

• For garnish Sliced green onions and sesame seeds

Directions

• Toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch in a large bowl until evenly coated for maximum crispness.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken until golden and cooked through.
• Remove chicken from the pan and set aside, keeping the flavorful brown bits in the skillet.
• Deglaze the skillet with bourbon, scraping the bottom to release all the concentrated flavors.
• Add soy sauce, brown sugar, apple juice, vinegar, ginger, garlic, and pepper flakes to create the bourbon sauce for chicken.
• Simmer the liquid for 5 minutes until it reduces into a thick, syrupy glaze with a deep mahogany color.
• Return the chicken to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat every piece in the luscious sauce.
• Serve immediately over a bed of fluffy white rice and garnish with fresh green onions.

Notes

• Chef’s Secret: Using chicken thighs instead of breasts ensures the meat remains juicy during the reduction process.
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; the glaze reheats beautifully.
• Substitution: If you prefer no alcohol, increase the apple juice and add a teaspoon of molasses.

This classic bourbon chicken recipe brings the nostalgic flavors of the mall food court straight to your kitchen. Furthermore, the rich, mahogany-colored bourbon sauce for chicken creates a glaze that is simply irresistible. If you enjoy this takeout-style meal, you might also like our fast honey garlic chicken stir fry or this classic beef and broccoli stir fry. For more poultry inspiration, check out our guide on best rotisserie chicken recipes.

Understanding the history of bourbon chicken helps appreciate this unique Cajun-Chinese fusion. For those who prefer different cooking methods, compare this with traditional bourbon chicken ingredients found in other popular versions. To master the art of the perfect glaze, you can also explore sticky ginger chicken techniques to refine your culinary skills.