Irresistible Easy Bourbon Chicken: Chicken Stir-fry With Rice And Chopsticks

Introduction

Bursting with the sweet and savory flavors of classic takeout, this Irresistible Easy Bourbon Chicken transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering chicken stir-fry that’s perfect alongside steamed rice and a pair of chopsticks. The sticky, flavorful sauce clings to tender bites of chicken, making every forkful (or chopstick-full) utterly satisfying. It’s a restaurant-style meal you can master at home in just minutes—ideal for busy weeknights or when you want to impress with minimal effort.

Flavor-Packed Simplicity: Your Next Weeknight Go-To

Why does this bourbon chicken recipe stand out? The magic is in the sauce—a beautifully balanced blend of soy, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and a splash of bourbon (or substitute for extra flavor without alcohol). A quick stir-fry ensures juicy, tender chicken with golden edges—all tossed in that signature thick, glazy coating. Paired with fluffy white rice, this dish is a guaranteed crowd pleaser that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds.

Crafting the Signature Bourbon Sauce

To make the unforgettable sauce, you’ll whisk together a bit of bourbon, low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, apple cider vinegar, and a squirt of ketchup for depth. If you prefer no alcohol, swap bourbon for apple juice. Let the sauce simmer and reduce until thick and glossy—it’s the irresistible element that defines this classic.

Building Your Chicken Stir-fry

Start by cutting boneless chicken thighs or breasts into bite-sized pieces and quickly browning them in a skillet, locking in the juices. Once golden, pour in the bourbon sauce and simmer until the chicken is tender and the sauce coats each piece. Serve your creation over steamed rice in wide bowls and don’t forget the chopsticks—a subtle touch that makes the meal feel even more special.

Serving Suggestions for an Unforgettable Meal

Pair your bourbon chicken and rice stir-fry with crisp steamed broccoli, sautéed snap peas, or a fresh cucumber salad for color and crunch. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for an extra pop of flavor and texture. Leftovers reheat beautifully, making this a fantastic choice for meal prep and next-day lunches.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 generous servings. Each serving, including rice, offers approximately 430–500 calories, varying with rice and sauce quantities. The dish is rich in protein and offers balanced carbs—a complete meal you’ll love to make again and again.

Recap: Why You’ll Love This Easy Bourbon Chicken

Simple, quick, and loaded with bold flavor, this bourbon chicken stir-fry with rice is a weeknight favorite that never disappoints. The sticky-sweet sauce, tender chicken, and fluffy rice will earn a permanent place in your dinner rotation.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate a shopping list with all ingredients organized by store section—perfect for streamlined meal planning and efficient grocery runs.

Instructions

1. Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels and toss with cornstarch until evenly coated.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add chicken in a single layer and cook until browned and nearly cooked through, about 6–7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add garlic and ginger; sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, bourbon (or apple juice), apple cider vinegar, and ketchup. Pour mixture into the skillet and bring to a simmer.
5. Return chicken to skillet and stir to coat in sauce. Reduce heat and simmer for 4–6 minutes, or until sauce is thick and glossy and chicken is cooked through.
6. Serve hot over steamed rice, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds. Add a side of vegetables if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Easy Bourbon Chicken is a fantastic addition to your weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to plan exactly which nights to enjoy it and build smart, consolidated shopping lists covering all your planned meals.

Meal Planning Benefits:

– Calculates total ingredient quantities across every recipe you plan
– Organizes your shopping list by grocery store department
– Eliminates guesswork and duplicate ingredients
– Makes weeknight meal prep easy, quick, and waste-free

Pro tip: When preparing several dinners in one week, schedule all your recipes in CookifyAI to automatically merge and optimize your ingredient list—for effortless grocery shopping and efficient cooking.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes