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
- 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