Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Sauce
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons bourbon (or apple juice if omitting alcohol)
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
Thickening Slurry
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
For Serving
- Cooked rice
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Coat the Chicken: In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon cornstarch and ¼ teaspoon black pepper until evenly coated. This helps create a nice texture when cooked.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, bourbon, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, and ground ginger until combined.
- Simmer the Sauce: Add the sauce mixture to the same skillet used for cooking the chicken. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet for extra flavor.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a separate small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to create a slurry. Stir this slurry into the simmering sauce.
- Cook until Glossy: Continue stirring the sauce constantly for 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens and becomes glossy and smooth.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir well to coat all pieces evenly in the sauce. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the bourbon chicken over cooked rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and visual appeal. Enjoy your delicious meal!
Notes
- You can substitute bourbon with apple juice if you prefer a non-alcoholic version.
- Using boneless skinless chicken thighs keeps the meat tender and juicy.
- Make sure to stir the sauce constantly when thickening to prevent lumps.
- Serve with steamed rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.
- Garnishing with sesame seeds and green onions adds a nice crunch and freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
