Last Updated on 17 December 2023 by cooksimply
Sometimes it can be difficult to find a dish that everyone in the family loves – particularly my youngest son, who can be somewhat fussy. However, this easy Asian chicken recipe is a real hit with him – and it’s known as bourbon chicken. What’s not to love? Juicy tender chicken coated in a sweet and sticky sauce, that is incredibly moreish. And best of all, it’s really easy to whip up in just over 30 minutes. So whether you’re looking for a simple but tasty midweek dinner or entertaining friends, this easy Chinese chicken recipe will be a winner.
Where does bourbon chicken come from?
If you’re from the UK, you might not have come across a bourbon chicken recipe before. However, in the USA, you can find it in takeouts and Chinese mall restaurants. It’s a really popular Chinese chicken recipe. The origins of bourbon chicken reportedly come from a Chinese chef who came up with it on the infamous Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The original recipe does have bourbon in it, but I’ll hold my hands up and say, I’m not a big fan of whisky so prefer to leave it out.
How to make this Chinese chicken recipe
The reason this bourbon chicken recipe without bourbon is so tasty is the combination of apple juice, sticky brown sugar, tomato ketchup, salty soy sauce, tangy vinegar and a little kick of chilli flakes, alongside ginger and garlic. The sauce is really sweet and sour all at the same time and with tender pieces of chicken thigh, makes for a really satisfying meal.
After browning the chicken pieces in a large frying pan, throw in the sauce ingredients and let the sugar dissolve. It will become gooey and unctuous. Return the chicken back to the pan, and then add the cornflour mixture to thicken the sauce further. And once the chicken is cooked through, that’s it. Serve over plain rice, sprinkle with spring onions. I also like to serve steamed broccoli on the side, too.
Can you make this simple Chinese chicken recipe in a slow cooker?
Absolutely you can. It’s pretty quick and easy from start to finish, but if you want to forget about this bourbon chicken recipe and just let it cook by itself, then literally throw all the ingredients into a slow cooker [crockpot] except for the cornflour mix and cook on low for six hours. Closer to the end, add the cornflour to thicken the sauce.
How to store any Chinese chicken leftovers
If you have any leftovers, you can refrigerate the bourbon chicken for up to three days. You can also freeze the dish in a suitable container for up to three months. Thaw overnight, and then heat in the microwave.
Easy Chinese chicken recipe [bourbon chicken]
Ingredients
- 800 g chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
- 60 ml apple juice
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 80 ml light soy sauce reduced salt if possible
- 2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
- 1 teaspoon ginger grated
- 3 cloves of garlic crushed
- ½ teaspoon chilli flakes
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 40 g dark brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornflour
- 5 tablespoons water
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 spring onions finely sliced
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together the apple juice, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, grated ginger, crushed garlic, chilli flakes, salt, pepper, and dark brown sugar until well combined.
- In another bowl, mix the cornflour with the water until it’s paste-like.
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat, and brown the chicken pieces in several batches. Once the chicken has begun to colour, put it to one side.
- In the same pan, add the sauce mixture, and let the sugar dissolve and the sauce begin to bubble.
- Return the chicken to the frying pan, and stir through the sauce. Add the cornflour paste mixture, and mix well. The sauce will begin to thicken. Keep on a low heat while the chicken cooks thoroughly for another 5 minutes.
- Before serving, garnish the bourbon chicken with sliced spring onions and serve over plain steamed rice. I also like to serve it with green vegetables like brocolli.
I’d never come across Bourbon chicken, but love the sound of this (without the whisky for my family too!)