Food Court Bourbon Chicken
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Food court bourbon chicken is a sweet and saucy favorite you can recreate at home. This easy 30-minute recipe delivers bold flavor—with or without actual bourbon!
The mall food court was the hang out spot when I was a teenager, and one dish I couldn’t resist was bourbon chicken. Sweet, sticky, and perfectly saucy, it’s the ultimate nostalgic meal.
Despite the name, there’s no actual bourbon in most bourbon chicken recipes. It’s said to be named after Bourbon Street in New Orleans, inspired by the area’s bold, flavorful cuisine. Most recipes skip the alcohol, making it family-friendly and all about that rich, caramelized glaze—but I’ll also share how to add bourbon if you’d like!
This easy copycat recipe brings the food court magic to your kitchen! Love takeout-inspired dishes? Don’t miss my Sesame Chicken, Ramen Noodles, and Crockpot Orange Chicken recipes.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Quick and easy: Made with simple ingredients and ready in just 30 minutes.
- Mall food court flavor at home: It tastes just like the classic bourbon chicken you know and love—but even better!
- Healthier than takeout: Skip the deep frying and batter coating without sacrificing the saucy, caramelized goodness.
- Customizable: Includes an option to add actual bourbon for an extra layer of flavor.
Ingredients
This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Chicken – Boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Apple juice – Adds a natural sweetness to the sauce.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Adds a tangy balance to the sweetness.
- Light brown sugar and ketchup – For sweetness, flavor, and color.
- Soy sauce – Adds depth and umami, an essential component of Asian-inspired recipes.
- Minced garlic cloves, garlic powder, and onion powder – Simple seasonings that build flavor without overpowering.
- Scallions and sesame seeds – For a takeout-style finishing touch add a sprinkle of sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving.
How to Make Bourbon Chicken Like at the Mall
This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.
- In a medium bowl, whisk all of the sauce ingredients until combined. Set that aside. Brown the chicken in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. It should be about 3-4 minutes until they are cooked through. Stir occasionally so they’re evenly golden brown on all sides.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and let it simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to medium and allow it to continue to simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
- In about 13-15 minutes it’ll be ready to serve over rice. Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds, if desired. Enjoy!
Pro Tip:
If you’re serving your copycat Chinese bourbon chicken with broccoli, steam or blanch the broccoli first, then add it to the pan and toss it in the sauce just before serving for a perfectly coated and flavorful side.
Serving Suggestions
This chicken dish pairs perfectly with white rice, fried rice, or noodles for a complete and satisfying meal. White rice is my favorite it’s simple to make and soaks up all the delicious sauce so well!
Bourbon Chicken with Real Bourbon
If you’d like to add actual bourbon to this recipe, simply replace ¼ cup of apple juice with ¼ cup of bourbon whiskey. Most of the alcohol should cook off during simmering, leaving a rich, deep flavor that enhances the sauce.
Storage
Refrigerator: Keep leftovers stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezer: You can also freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat: You can do a quick reheat in the microwave or use the stovetop. You may need to add a splash of chicken broth to the sauce to loosen it up.
Recipe Tips
- Be patient waiting for the sauce to thicken: Let the sauce simmer until it thickens and caramelizes. The apple juice and brown sugar naturally thicken it, so no cornstarch slurry is needed.
- Scaling up? This recipe doubles easily! Just use a larger skillet or cook the chicken in batches to ensure even cooking.
- Add a kick: Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes if you like a touch of heat.
More 30 Minute Dinner Recipes
Bourbon Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- scallions and sesame seeds optional garnish
- broccoli and white rice optional, for serving
Bourbon Sauce
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- ⅔ cup ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and cooked through, about 3–4 minutes.
- Pour the sauce into the skillet and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce the heat to medium and let the sauce simmer uncovered until it thickens and coats the chicken, about 13–15 minutes.
- Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds and serve over rice.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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