Irresistible Mall Bourbon Chicken Recipe for Tasty Homemade Bliss
Bourbon chicken promises a tantalizing dance of sweet and savory flavors that instantly captivate taste buds.
This beloved dish originated from casual food court encounters, blending unexpected culinary influences.
Southern-style cooking meets Asian-inspired marinades in a magnificent gastronomic fusion that refines ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.
Rich, caramelized sauces coat tender meat with complex layers of depth and intrigue.
Balanced spices create a harmonious profile that dances between subtle heat and delightful sweetness.
Home cooks adore this recipe for its simplicity and crowd-pleasing potential, making it a reliable dinner solution.
Families gather around the table, eager to savor each succulent bite.
What’s Great About Mall Bourbon Chicken
Ingredients You’ll Need for Mall Bourbon Chicken
Protein:Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:Coating and Cooking Ingredients:Cooking Steps for Mall Bourbon Chicken
Step 1: Prepare Chicken Chunks
Cut chicken thighs into 1-1.5″ pieces. Place in a large bowl, sprinkle with salt, and coat thoroughly with cornstarch.
Step 2: Sear Chicken Pieces
Heat a 12″ skillet with vegetable oil. Once sizzling hot, add chicken and lightly brown for 2-5 minutes. Transfer partially cooked chicken back to the original bowl.
Step 3: Create Aromatic Base
Using the same skillet, sauté:Cook on medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Build Flavorful Sauce
Add to skillet:Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer to reduce sauce for 6-8 minutes.
Step 5: Combine Chicken and Sauce
Return chicken to skillet. Cook on medium-high for 5 minutes until chicken is tender and no longer pink.
Step 6: Finish and Thicken
Reduce heat, ensuring chicken is fully cooked and sauce has thickened enough to coat chicken pieces.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Stir in toasted sesame seeds. Serve over white rice, topped with chopped green scallions.
Tips for Mall Bourbon Chicken Success
Keeping and Warming Mall Bourbon Chicken
Perfect Sides for Mall Bourbon Chicken
Mall Bourbon Chicken Versions to Try
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Mall Bourbon Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Savory Mall Bourbon Chicken brings Louisiana’s street-food magic straight to home kitchens with tender chicken glazed in a sweet and tangy sauce. Sizzling skillet techniques and bold bourbon-infused flavors create an irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Protein:
- 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) boneless skinless chicken thighs
Seasoning and Coating:
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ cup brown sugar
Liquid and Flavor Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of fresh ginger root, grated
- 1 ½ cups chicken stock
- ⅓ cup bourbon
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- 4 tablespoons vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted white sesame seeds
- Chopped green scallions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Slice chicken thighs into uniform chunks measuring 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 centimeters). Season with salt and thoroughly coat with cornstarch in a large mixing bowl.
- Warm a 12-inch (30.5-centimeter) skillet with vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Carefully add chicken pieces and lightly brown for 2 to 5 minutes, achieving a golden exterior. Remove partially cooked chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, and red chili flakes for approximately 1 minute, releasing their aromatic flavors.
- Pour chicken stock, bourbon, soy sauce, dark brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar into the skillet. Bring the liquid mixture to a rapid boil, then reduce heat and simmer, allowing the sauce to reduce and concentrate for 6 to 8 minutes.
- Return browned chicken chunks to the skillet, increasing heat to medium-high. Cook for 5 minutes, ensuring chicken becomes tender and completely opaque throughout.
- Lower heat and continue cooking until sauce reaches a thick, glossy consistency that elegantly coats each chicken piece.
- Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the chicken, gently stirring to distribute evenly.
- Transfer bourbon chicken to a serving platter, accompanied by steamed white rice. Garnish with finely chopped green scallions for a fresh, vibrant touch.
Notes
- Prep chicken precisely by cutting into uniform 1-1½” chunks to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Cornstarch coating creates a delightful crispy exterior while helping the sauce cling beautifully to each chicken piece.
- Quick searing of chicken develops rich golden-brown color and locks in juicy flavors before finishing in the aromatic sauce.
- Bourbon adds complex depth and subtle sweetness, transforming an ordinary chicken recipe into a restaurant-quality meal.
- Simmer sauce carefully to achieve perfect consistency – it should be glossy and thick enough to generously coat each chicken chunk without being overly sticky.
- Toasted sesame seeds provide a nutty crunch and elegant finishing touch that elevates the entire dish’s visual and flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 465 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg
Lucas Bennett
Founder & Recipe Creator
Expertise
Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement
Education
Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin
Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota
Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.