Mall Bourbon Chicken Recipe

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

  • Savor Bold Flavor Explosion: This bourbon chicken delivers a punch of tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy taste that dances across your palate with every bite, combining the rich depth of bourbon with classic Asian-inspired seasonings.
  • Nail Quick Weeknight Cooking: Incredibly simple recipe that comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a restaurant-quality meal without complicated techniques or endless prep work.
  • Enjoy Perfectly Textured Dish: The method of lightly browning chicken chunks and then simmering in a reduced sauce creates incredibly tender meat with a glossy, clingy coating that ensures maximum flavor in every single bite.
  • Transform Ordinary Ingredients: Uses basic pantry staples like chicken, stock, soy sauce, and bourbon to create a restaurant-worthy dish that elevates everyday cooking with minimal extra effort and maximum deliciousness.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Mall Bourbon Chicken

Protein:
  • Chicken Thighs: Tender and flavorful cut that absorbs marinade well, providing rich meat texture. Dark meat option for juicier results.
  • Sesame Seeds: Nutty topping that adds crunch and visual appeal to the final dish.
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic base that provides depth and classic Asian flavor profile.
  • Chili Flakes: Adds subtle heat and spicy dimension to the sauce.
  • Soy Sauce: Salty umami element that enhances overall chicken flavor.
  • Brown Sugar: Balances savory elements with sweet undertones.
  • Bourbon: Adds rich, complex flavor and helps tenderize the meat.
  • Vinegar: Provides tangy brightness and helps balance sauce flavors.
  • Chicken Stock: Creates liquid base for sauce and adds additional depth.
Coating and Cooking Ingredients:
  • Cornstarch: Helps create crispy chicken exterior and thickens sauce.
  • Salt: Basic seasoning to enhance chicken's natural flavor.
  • Vegetable Oil: Neutral cooking fat for browning chicken and preventing sticking.
  • White Rice: Traditional accompanying grain for serving the chicken.
  • Green Scallions: Fresh garnish that adds color and mild onion flavor.

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:
  • Minced garlic
  • Freshly grated ginger
  • Chili flakes

Cook on medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4: Build Flavorful Sauce

Add to skillet:
  • Chicken stock
  • Bourbon
  • Soy sauce
  • Brown sugar
  • Vinegar

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

  • Cornstarch Coating Trick: Ensure each chicken piece is evenly coated with cornstarch for a crispy, golden exterior that locks in moisture.
  • Oil Temperature Control: Use a high-heat oil and wait until the skillet is hot to achieve perfect light browning without burning the chicken.
  • Sauce Reduction Magic: Simmer sauce slowly to develop deep, rich flavors and create a glossy, thick coating that clings perfectly to the chicken.
  • Meat Doneness Check: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F internally, guaranteeing safe and juicy results every time.
  • Flavor Boost Option: Toast sesame seeds briefly in a dry pan before adding to enhance their nutty aroma and provide extra crunch to the dish.

Keeping and Warming Mall Bourbon Chicken

  • Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Properly stored bourbon chicken will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Seal containers tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor integrity.
  • Reheating Method: Warm chicken gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock to restore moisture. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. Another option involves microwaving with a damp paper towel over the dish, heating in 30-second intervals until thoroughly warmed.
  • Freezing Option: Freeze bourbon chicken for up to 2 months in freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Always discard leftovers that smell off or appear discolored to ensure food safety.

Perfect Sides for Mall Bourbon Chicken

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay or pinot grigio to balance the bourbon chicken's rich, slightly sweet flavor profile and cut through the savory sauce.
  • Match with Complementary Beer: Choose a light amber ale or wheat beer that enhances the chicken's caramelized notes and provides a refreshing contrast to the dish's robust seasonings.
  • Serve Alongside Pickled Vegetables: Introduce tangy cucumber or radish pickles to create a bright, acidic counterpoint that helps refresh the palate between bourbon-glazed chicken bites.
  • Complete with Jasmine Rice Companion: Prepare jasmine rice with a touch of butter to absorb the delicious sauce and provide a soft, fragrant base that elevates the entire meal's texture and taste.

Mall Bourbon Chicken Versions to Try

  • Spicy Bourbon Infusion: Increase chili flakes or add diced jalapeños for a fiery kick that elevates the chicken's flavor profile.
  • Asian-Inspired Marinade: Marinate chicken in ginger, garlic, and extra bourbon for 2 hours before cooking to intensify the depth of flavor.
  • Grilled Bourbon Chicken Skewers: Thread marinated chicken chunks onto bamboo skewers and grill over medium-high heat for a smoky outdoor cooking experience.
  • Healthier Lean Option: Substitute chicken thighs with chicken breast and use low-sodium soy sauce to create a lighter, protein-packed meal.
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Mall Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Mall Bourbon Chicken Recipe


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4.7 from 27 reviews

  • 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

Scale

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, and red chili flakes for approximately 1 minute, releasing their aromatic flavors.
  4. 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.
  5. Return browned chicken chunks to the skillet, increasing heat to medium-high. Cook for 5 minutes, ensuring chicken becomes tender and completely opaque throughout.
  6. Lower heat and continue cooking until sauce reaches a thick, glossy consistency that elegantly coats each chicken piece.
  7. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the chicken, gently stirring to distribute evenly.
  8. 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

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

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

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.

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