Healthy Eating
Bourbon Chicken
Description
With tender pieces of chicken stir-fried in a sweet and tangy sauce over a bed of fluffy steamed rice, no one complains when sticky Bourbon Chicken is on the menu! This easy recipe is a lighter twist on the original New Orleans Chinese-American recipe.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten free)
- ¼ cup bourbon anything good enough to mix into a cocktail (Bulleit is my go-to)
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic minced (about 4 teaspoons)
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced
- 4 teaspoons cornstarch divided
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces (or boneless, skinless chicken breast)
- 1 ½ tablespoons canola oil, vegetable oil, or grapeseed oil
- ⅓ cup chopped green onions plus additional for serving
- 2 cups prepared brown rice for serving
Directions
- Place the chicken in a medium bowl. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons cornstarch over the top, then with a spoon, stir to evenly coat the chicken in the cornstarch.
- In a separate bowl or liquid measuring cup, stir together the soy sauce, bourbon, maple syrup, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic, ginger, black pepper, and remaining 2 teaspoons cornstarch.
- In a large, deep skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat on the stove top. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, carefully add the chicken, breaking apart any pieces that stick together. Brown on all sides, stirring every so often, until the chicken is golden and cooked through.
- Add the bourbon sauce. Cooking, stirring often, until the sauce is glossy and thickened, 2 to 4 minutes (you'll still have plenty of extra sauce, ideal for spooning over the rice). Stir in the green onions. Serve hot over rice, with additional green onions sprinkled on top.
