Saucy Bourbon Chicken

5 from 5 votes

Saucy Bourbon Chicken is a delicious New Orlean's-style fusion of Cajun and Chinese cooking with sweet and tangy sauce coated chicken. This family favorite meal is ready in just 30 minutes!

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American, cajun, Chinese American, orleans

Keyword: bourbon chicken

Servings: servings

Author: Caytlin McCleery

Ingredients

Sauce

1 cup chicken broth
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup bourbon*
1/3 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1-3 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes based on spicy preference
2 teaspoons corn starch

Chicken

2 pounds boneless chicken thighs or breasts
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup Cooking oil
2 tablespoons sesame oil

Topping

1/4 cup sliced green onions

For Serving

6-8 cups cooked rice

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, mix together 1 cup chicken broth, 1 cup orange juice, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup bourbon*, 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons minced garlic, 1-3 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes, and 2 teaspoons corn starch. Set aside.
Cube up the 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs or breasts into bite-size pieces, about 1-inch cubes. Lightly sprinkle the chicken cubes with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add in 1/4 cup Cooking oil and 2 tablespoons sesame oil and let heat 1 minute. Add in chicken and cook until exterior browns, about 10 minutes.
Reduce heat to medium and pour in the sauce mixture. Stir and let the sauce and chicken simmer together for 10 minutes.
Serve hot over rice and garnish with 1/4 cup sliced green onions and a pinch of cracked pepper.

Notes

Slow Cooker Instructions:

Prepare your sauce and brown the chicken on the stovetop thoroughly first. Add browned chicken and sauce to the slow cooker and cook on low for 5 hours, or high for 3 hours.

Instant Pot Instructions:

Add in oil and chicken to your instant pot and set to sauté for 5-7 minutes to get some good browning on the chicken.

Add the sauce mixture over the chicken and secure lid. Set to High pressure for 10 minutes. Once finished, let it release naturally for 5 minutes and then quick release.

*For a non-alcoholic option, replace Bourbon with apple juice.

Nutrition