Description
This Food Court Bourbon Chicken Copycat Recipe recreates the sweet and savory flavors of the classic dish enjoyed at your favorite food courts. Featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich bourbon-infused sauce with soy, ginger, garlic, and brown sugar, it’s a delicious and comforting entrée perfect served over rice for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 LB chicken thighs, skinless
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (about 4 turns on the pepper mill)
Sauce
- 1/3 Cup soy sauce
- 1/3 Cup Bourbon (or brown whiskey; dark rum or apple/cranberry juice as substitutes)
- 1/2 Cup water
- 1 Tbsp rice vinegar (or white wine vinegar or plain white vinegar)
- 1/2 Cup tightly packed brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 3 Tbsp cold water
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the skinless chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces, removing any excess fat or skin to ensure tender, lean bites.
- Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the ground ginger, black pepper, soy sauce, bourbon, water, garlic powder, rice vinegar, and brown sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves and set aside.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring every 1-2 minutes, until the juices cook off and the chicken starts to brown evenly without burning.
- Simmer with Sauce: Pour the bourbon mixture into the pan, stirring well. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes. This allows the alcohol to cook off and flavors to meld.
- Thicken the Sauce: Stir the dissolved cornstarch into the pan briskly. The sauce will thicken quickly, coating the chicken with a glossy glaze.
- Serve: Spoon the bourbon chicken over cooked rice for a delightful meal.
Notes
- Substitute bourbon with brown whiskey, dark rum, or use apple or cranberry juice for a non-alcoholic version.
- If using juice instead of bourbon, reduce the amount of brown sugar slightly to balance sweetness.
- Cooking the chicken thoroughly and allowing the sauce to simmer helps eliminate alcohol content and intensifies flavor.
- Serve immediately over steamed rice or your choice of grain.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American Chinese
Keywords: Bourbon Chicken, Copycat Recipe, Food Court Chicken, Sweet and Savory Chicken, Chicken Thighs with Bourbon Sauce
