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Food Court-Style Bourbon Chicken

Sticky-sweet, savory glazed chicken just like the samples in mall food courts. Tender chicken simmered in a glossy bourbon-style sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American, Asian Fusion
Calories: 430
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tbsp oil for sautéing
Sauce
  • 0.5 cup soy sauce
  • 0.75 cup brown sugar
  • 0.5 cup apple juice
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp ginger grated
  • 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • 2 tbsp bourbon optional
Thickener
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp water for slurry

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spatula

Method
 

  1. Heat oil in a skillet and cook chicken pieces until browned and partially cooked.
  2. Add garlic and ginger; sauté until fragrant.
  3. Stir in soy sauce, brown sugar, apple juice, vinegar, red pepper flakes, and optional bourbon.
  4. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until reduced slightly.
  5. Whisk cornstarch with water to form a slurry and add to the skillet.
  6. Cook until sauce thickens into a glossy glaze, coating the chicken.
  7. Serve over rice and garnish with green onions.

Notes

For extra caramelization, simmer longer until the sauce gets syrupy.