Name: 5 Ingredient Bourbon Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch bite-size pieces; 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce; 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed; 1/4 cup bourbon; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon neutral oil (such as canola or vegetable), for cooking; 1 teaspoon cornstarch, optional for thicker sauce; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar, optional for tang; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional for heat; 2 tablespoons sliced green onions, for garnish (optional); 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

5 Ingredient Bourbon Chicken Recipe tastes like takeout mall chicken that ran off to a better kitchen, with sticky-sweet, garlicky, slightly smoky sauce on juicy bites of chicken. It works for busy weeknights, meal prep, or casual entertaining and takes about 25 minutes from fridge to table. I first made a version of this in a tiny apartment kitchen with one pan and a wobbly stove, and it still came out so good my friends licked the spatulas clean.

Why 5 Ingredient Bourbon Chicken Recipe Is Worth It

You get that classic food court bourbon chicken flavor with almost no effort and only five ingredients. The sauce clings to the chicken, tastes sweet, savory, a little tangy, and feels like comfort food in a bowl.

This recipe uses pantry staples and a single skillet, so cleanup stays easy and weeknight friendly. You can serve it over rice, noodles, or veggies and everyone at the table usually asks for seconds.

“Tastes like my favorite mall bourbon chicken but cleaner, faster, and cheaper, and my family now requests it weekly. ★★★★★”

Ingredients You Need

Here is what you need for this 5 Ingredient Bourbon Chicken Recipe:

Boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut in bite-size pieces
- Thighs stay juicy and tender; use chicken breast if you prefer leaner meat and cook it a little less.
Soy sauce
- Use low sodium soy sauce to keep the salt in check; use tamari or coconut aminos if you avoid gluten.
Brown sugar
- Light brown sugar gives a mellow caramel flavor; use dark brown sugar for deeper molasses notes or use honey if you avoid refined sugar.
Bourbon
- Any mid-shelf bourbon works; save the fancy bottle for sipping and use the budget-friendly one for cooking.
Garlic
- Fresh minced garlic tastes best; use garlic paste from a tube or pre-minced garlic from a jar on busy nights.

Optional but highly recommended add-ons that still keep the spirit of a 5 ingredient bourbon chicken recipe:

Cornstarch to thicken the sauce faster
A splash of apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar for a little tang
Red pepper flakes for gentle heat
Green onions for garnish
Sesame seeds for a bit of crunch

Equipment list:

Large nonstick or stainless skillet or sauté pan
Cutting board and sharp knife
Measuring cups and spoons
Small bowl and whisk or fork for mixing the sauce
Spatula or wooden spoon

Quick Tips & substitutions

Cut chicken pieces the same size so they cook evenly and stay juicy.
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels so it browns instead of steams.
Use chicken breast instead of thighs and shorten the cook time by a couple of minutes.
Swap soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free version.
Replace brown sugar with honey or maple syrup and lower the amount slightly because those taste sweeter.
Use apple juice instead of bourbon if you avoid alcohol; the sauce still tastes rich and caramelized.
Stir a teaspoon of cornstarch into the sauce before it hits the pan if you want a thicker glaze.
Double the sauce if you plan to serve it over rice or noodles and want extra spoonable goodness.

How to Make 5 Ingredient Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prep the chicken

Cut the boneless skinless chicken thighs into small bite-size pieces, about 1 inch. Pat them dry with paper towels so they sear nicely. Season lightly with salt and pepper, but keep it light because the soy sauce adds plenty of salt.

Step 2: Mix the sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, bourbon, and minced garlic. Taste a tiny drop and adjust the sweetness or saltiness to your liking. If you want a thicker sauce, whisk in a teaspoon of cornstarch until smooth.

Step 3: Sear the chicken

Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and let it sit for a minute so it browns before you stir it. Cook and stir until the chicken turns golden on the outside and cooks through, about 6 to 8 minutes, and lower the heat if it browns too fast.

Step 4: Add the sauce

Lower the heat to medium. Pour the sauce over the chicken and stir so every piece gets coated. The sauce will start to bubble and thicken as the sugar cooks and the alcohol in the bourbon cooks off.

Step 5: Simmer to glossy perfection

Let the chicken and sauce simmer together for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often. The sauce should turn glossy and cling to the chicken in a sticky glaze. If the sauce looks too thick, splash in a tablespoon of water; if it looks too thin, simmer another minute.

Step 6: Taste and finish

Taste a piece and adjust with a pinch of salt, extra soy sauce, or a tiny splash of vinegar if you want more brightness. Sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds on top if you use them. Turn off the heat and let the chicken sit for a minute so the sauce settles and thickens a bit more.

Recipe Variations

Gluten free: Use tamari or certified gluten free soy sauce and check that your bourbon or apple juice substitute fits your needs.
No alcohol: Swap bourbon with apple juice or apple cider and add a tiny splash of vanilla extract for depth.
Low carb: Use a low carb brown sugar substitute and serve over cauliflower rice or sautéed cabbage.
Spicy: Add red pepper flakes, a squeeze of sriracha, or a spoon of chili garlic sauce to the pan.
Extra saucy: Double the sauce ingredients and simmer a little longer so it thickens while still staying plentiful.
Veggie boost: Toss in steamed broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas during the last few minutes of cooking.
Vegan version: Use extra firm tofu or soy curls instead of chicken and brown them well before adding the sauce.

Ways to Serve 5 Ingredient Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Spoon over hot jasmine rice or brown rice with a side of steamed broccoli.
Serve on top of noodles with extra sauce and sliced green onions.
Pile into lettuce cups with shredded carrots and cucumber for a lighter option.
Pack into meal prep containers with rice and green beans for easy lunches.
Use as a filling for rice bowls with cabbage slaw and avocado.

Storage Success

Let the bourbon chicken cool to room temperature, then store it in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen as it sits, so leftovers taste even better the next day. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat with a splash of water, or warm it in the microwave in short bursts and stir between each round. Freeze portions for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.