Delicious homemade food court bourbon chicken served on a plate

Food Court Bourbon Chicken Copycat Recipe

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Why Make This Recipe

Bourbon Chicken is a beloved dish found in many food courts across the country. This copycat recipe brings that same delicious taste right into your home kitchen. It’s a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, making it great for any night of the week. Plus, it’s simple and quick to prepare, even if you’re short on time. You can impress your family or guests with this flavorful dish that’s easy enough for anyone to make.

How to Make Food Court Bourbon Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 LB chicken thighs, skinless
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper (I used 4 turns on the pepper mill)
  • 1/3 Cup soy sauce
  • 1/3 Cup Bourbon (or any brown whiskey; dark rum can work too)
  • 1/2 Cup water
  • 1 Tbsp rice vinegar (you can also use white wine vinegar or plain white vinegar)
  • 1/2 Cup brown sugar, tightly packed
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 3 Tbsp cold water

Directions:

  1. Cut the chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces, removing any excess fat or skin.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the ginger, black pepper, soy sauce, whiskey, water, garlic powder, vinegar, and brown sugar. Mix well and set aside.
  3. In a large sauté pan or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
  4. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and cook until the juices have evaporated and the chicken starts to brown, about 8-10 minutes. Stir the chicken every 1-2 minutes to ensure it doesn’t burn and browns evenly.
  5. Pour in the bourbon mixture and stir well. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium. Simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes. Don’t hurry this step; let the alcohol cook off.
  6. Add the dissolved cornstarch to the pan and stir quickly. The sauce will thicken within moments.
  7. Serve the Bourbon Chicken over rice.

How to Serve Food Court Bourbon Chicken

Serve this delicious Bourbon Chicken hot over a bed of fluffy rice. You can add some steamed vegetables on the side for a well-rounded meal. It pairs well with jasmine or basmati rice, but any rice will do! Feel free to sprinkle some green onions or sesame seeds on top for added flavor and presentation.

How to Store Food Court Bourbon Chicken

If you have leftovers (if you’re lucky), let the chicken cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should last for about 3-4 days. To reheat, simply microwave it or warm it in a pan until heated through.

Tips to Make Food Court Bourbon Chicken

  • Make sure to cut the chicken into uniform pieces for even cooking.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, add a bit more cornstarch to the mixture.
  • For a spicy kick, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
  • Experiment with different juices like apple or cranberry if you prefer a non-alcoholic version.

Variation (if any)

You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts if you want leaner meat. Also, try adding vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli into the dish during the cooking process for added color and nutrition.

FAQs

Can I use another type of alcohol?
Yes! If you don’t have Bourbon, any brown whiskey or even dark rum can work well. If you want a non-alcoholic version, apple juice or cranberry juice are good substitutes.

What kind of rice goes best with Bourbon Chicken?
Jasmine or basmati rice are great options, but any rice you enjoy will work. Just make sure it’s cooked and fluffy for serving.

Can I freeze Bourbon Chicken?
Yes! You can freeze cooked Bourbon Chicken in an airtight container. It should last for about 2-3 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat it on the stovetop or microwave.

Bourbon Chicken

A delightful and easy-to-make copycat recipe for Bourbon Chicken that brings sweet and savory flavors to your home kitchen.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 LB chicken thighs, skinless Cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil For cooking the chicken
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper Ground fresh or from a pepper mill
  • 1/3 Cup soy sauce
  • 1/3 Cup Bourbon (or brown whiskey, dark rum can work too)
  • 1/2 Cup water
  • 1 Tbsp rice vinegar Or white wine vinegar or plain white vinegar
  • 1/2 Cup brown sugar Packed tightly
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch Dissolved in 3 Tbsp cold water

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cut the chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces, removing any excess fat or skin.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the ginger, black pepper, soy sauce, whiskey, water, garlic powder, vinegar, and brown sugar. Mix well and set aside.
Cooking
  1. In a large sauté pan or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and cook until the juices have evaporated and the chicken starts to brown, about 8-10 minutes. Stir the chicken every 1-2 minutes to ensure it doesn’t burn and browns evenly.
  3. Pour in the bourbon mixture and stir well. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium. Simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes to let the alcohol cook off.
  4. Add the dissolved cornstarch to the pan and stir quickly. The sauce will thicken within moments.
Serving
  1. Serve the Bourbon Chicken hot over a bed of fluffy rice.

Notes

Make sure to cut the chicken into uniform pieces for even cooking. For a spicier flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. You can also add vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli during cooking for added nutrition.