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Honey Bourbon Chicken

Oct 22, 2024

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Easy Honey Bourbon Chicken is a great quick, flavorful weeknight meal to whip up. It has unique flavor and it’s a bit healthier than the takeout version. This is a knockout meal and don’t worry the alcohol burns right off while cooking.

Why Make Honey Bourbon Chicken
Ingredient Notes
Recipe Variations
Steps To Make Honey Bourbon Chicken
Recipe Pairings
Recipe Tips
Recipe FAQs
Other Takeout Inspired Dishes
Honey Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Why Make Honey Bourbon Chicken

If you order the Blazin Bourbon at Panda Express or the Bourbon Street Chicken at Applebee’s you will love this healthier, homemade version to enjoy at home!

Easy to Make. Only a few simple steps required.
Meal Prep Friendly. It reheats so well! I make it for my husbands lunches often.
Healthier. Just like my Jalapeño Chicken and Kung Pao Shrimp, it’s made with simple ingredients that you get to control.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients needed to make the recipe on a counter in small dishes with labels.

All other ingredients and measurements can be found in the recipe card towards the bottom of this post.

Chicken. I use chicken breasts but thighs will also work well.
Seasonings. salt, pepper, red pepper flakes
Onion & Garlic.
Rice Vinegar. Just a splash to help brighten the flavor.
Bourbon. you can also use a whiskey. Don’t worry the alcohol burns off in the cooking process, it only adds a unique depth of flavor.
Ketchup. For the honey bourbon sauce.
Sriracha. This add a little heat!
Soy Sauce. I use low sodium soy sauce, it’s the base of the bourbon sauce. Tamari or coconut aminos will also work.
Cornstarch Slurry. This is made with cornstarch and water. It thickens the sauce up! Arrowroot will also work.
Cilantro. This is just for garnish. Fresh parsley will also work well.
Sides! I make it with white rice and fresh, steamed green beans.

Recipe Variations

Add veggies. Feel free to add bell peppers or chopped broccoli to the mix.
Feel free to use shrimp in place of the chicken!

Steps To Make Honey Bourbon Chicken

Glass bowl and a grey skillet showing the cooking process to make this recipe.

Step One. If cooking rice, start the rice first. Cook it according to the package instructions. Add cubed chicken to a large bowl and toss with red pepper flakes and salt.
Step Two. Add the cubed chicken to a greased skillet. Cook on medium heat for about 12-14 minutes or until it’s about 165º internal heat, adding the chopped onions and garlic halfway through. It’s always best to have a digital meat thermometer. This will help keep the chicken nice and juicy.
Step Three. While the chicken is cooking, mix the Honey Bourbon sauce together in a medium sized bowl. Whisk well.
Step Four. Once the chicken is about cooked through, pour the Honey Bourbon Sauce over everything.
Step Six. Turn the heat to medium-low and cook for another 3-5 minutes or until the the sauce is thickened. Serve hot over rice with a side of steamed green beans (or any veggies of choice).

Recipe Pairings

Honey Bourbon Chicken can be a filling meal on it’s own with sides but you can make it an entire “takeout style” night by pairing it with my Honey Walnut Shrimp or Thai Cashew Chicken. Another great pairing would be Ground Beef Fried Rice or Shrimp Fried Rice.

Recipe Tips

Don’t overcook the chicken! It’s always best to have a digital meat thermometer. This will help keep the chicken nice and juicy.
Taste the sauce as it cooks. You may want a splash more of soy sauce or ketchup.Maybe even more honey or bourbon 🙂
Serve it with your favor veggies. If you don’t like green beans then feel free to swap it out.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use other proteins to make Honey Bourbon Chicken?

Yes, use chicken thighs or shrimp. Both pair great with the honey bourbon sauce. If you use shrimp cut the cooking time down to only 5 minutes for the shrimp and then 3 minutes for the sauce.