This sticky Bourbon Chicken is reminiscent of the popular take-out dish but made with better for you ingredients for a healthier twist on Asian-inspired fare!
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I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Asian-inspired food is MY FAVORITE! There’s something about enjoying a sticky, slightly sweet homemade take-out dish knowing exactly what went into it and that it isn’t going to hurt your stomach later, am I right? Major bonus when the dish is cooked in the Instant Pot for a fuss-free dinner experience!
This recipe was a happy accident – I was throwing ingredients into my Instant Pot for a quick dinner, and the result was better than I could’ve expected! As soon as my husband took a bite, he told me that it tasted exactly like the chicken they used to give samples of at the mall food court – and he was totally right. With a few tweaks, I landed on a perfect bourbon chicken recipe that takes me straight back to my childhood, and comes together in no time!
If you’re looking for another delicious Asian-inspired dinner, these Asian-inspired Lettuce Wraps are a fantastic addition to your weeknight dinner rotation!
What is Bourbon Chicken?
This sticky, slightly sweet, tangy, and (mildly) spicy chicken dish actually originated in New Orleans and was named after the very popular Bourbon Street (not the bourbon whiskey that sets this dish apart from the rest!), but now, it can be found in mall food-courts and take-out Chinese restaurants all over the place!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need in order to whip up this delicious food court staple:
- Chicken Thighs – to start, you’ll need 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Coconut Aminos – the bulk of our sauce is made up of coconut aminos (1 cup to be exact!), though you can totally use soy sauce if you’d prefer. Do note that soy sauce is quite a bit saltier than coconut aminos! Our favorite brand of coconut aminos (Coconut Secret) sells an 8oz bottle, so go ahead and just dump the whole thing in!
- Bourbon – you’ll also need 3 tablespoons of bourbon here – if you’re only planning on cooking with the bourbon, don’t worry about grabbing a fancy bourbon!
- Sweetener – for this recipe, you’ll also need ¼ cup of either coconut sugar, brown sugar, or honey – you choose!
- Chili Garlic Sauce – 1 tablespoon of chili garlic sauce counters the sweetness perfectly and gives this delicious dish a little kick!
- Apple Cider Vinegar – 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar add a bit of acidity to the dish to cut through the rich sauce.
- Sesame Oil – you’ll also need 1 teaspoon of sesame oil – sesame oil is strong, and a little bit goes a long way!
- Cornstarch or Arrowroot Starch – finally, a tablespoon of either cornstarch or arrowroot starch thickens the sauce up beautifully!
How to Make
The moment you’ve all been waiting for, right?! Thanks to the Instant Pot, the process is rather easy! Here’s how you’ll whip up this crowd-pleasing dish:
- Whisk the Sauce – in a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients (coconut aminos, bourbon, sugar, chili garlic sauce, apple cider vinegar, and sesame oil) until fully combined.
- Add the Chicken + Sauce to the Instant Pot – add the chicken thighs to the Instant Pot, pour the bourbon sauce over top, then toss to coat the chicken.
- Set the Instant Pot to Cook – place the lid on the pot (making sure that the pressure valve is set to ‘sealed’), and set the Instant Pot to cook for 18 minutes.
- Release the Pressure + Remove the Chicken – after 18 minutes, manually release the pressure by turning the pressure valve from ‘sealed’ to ‘venting,’ then remove the chicken from the pot, and set it aside.
- Thicken the Sauce – set the pot to ‘saute’ mode, then whisk together the cornstarch (or arrowroot starch) with ¼ cup of water, until there are no lumps. Once the sauce is bubbling, whisk in the cornstarch + water mixture. Let the sauce cook for 2-3 minutes, until it’s thickened, then turn off the heat.
- Shred the Chicken – shred the chicken with two forks, then return it to the pot and give everything a good stir, making sure to fully coat the shredded chicken with the sticky sauce.
- Serve + Enjoy – serve over rice with the veggie of your choice, and enjoy!
How to Serve
We love serving this Bourbon Chicken recipe on top of a bed of white rice, but you can certainly serve yours over brown rice, cauliflower rice (for low carb), or no rice at all, and next to a side of simple steamed or sauteed veggies (broccoli, bok choy, and green beans are all excellent options!). If you want a little extra spice, finish your bowl off with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! While we love the pressure cooker for a quick dinner, the slow cooker is also a great option for nights when you don’t have the time to fuss with dinner!
To prepare this easy Bourbon Chicken in the slow cooker, simply whisk together the bourbon sauce, then add it to the slow cooker along with the chicken thighs (making sure to coat the chicken). Set the slow cooker on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours, and when it’s finished, remove the chicken and set it aside, then pour the sauce into a pot on the stove over medium-high heat. While you’re waiting for the sauce to simmer, whisk together the cornstarch and water, and once the sauce is simmering, add the cornstarch mixture to the pot! Let the sauce cook for about one minute, until it’s thickened, then turn off the heat, shred your chicken, and add it to the pot with the sauce! Serve and enjoy!
You definitely *can* use breasts instead of thighs, but we really recommend going with thighs if you’re able to. Chicken thighs tend to be a bit more tender, juicy, and flavorful and pair with the sticky, sweet sauce perfectly.
There is! Bourbon actually contributes to the rich flavor in the sauce, so we think it’s a must here. Don’t worry, though, the alcohol in the bourbon reduces and evaporates, making this classic dish one that the whole family will enjoy!
More Favorite Instant Pot Chicken Recipes
Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut aminos
- 3 tablespoons bourbon
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar brown sugar, or honey
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot starch
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to ‘saute’ mode and add the coconut aminos, bourbon, coconut sugar, chili garlic sauce, apple cider vinegar, and sesame oil to the pot and whisk to combine.
- Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes, to make sure that the alcohol evaporates, then add the chicken and toss to coat. Place the lid on the pot and set to cook for 18 minutes.
- After 18 minutes, manually release the pressure and remove the chicken from the pot. Set aside.
- Set the pot to ‘saute’ mode again, then whisk together the cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water, until there are no lumps. Once the sauce is bubbling, whisk in the cornstarch mixture. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce is thickened, then turn off the heat.
- Shred the chicken with two forks, then return it to the pot and stir to coat with the sauce. Serve over rice with the veggie of your choice!
Recipe Notes
- If you are sensitive to spice, reduce the chili garlic sauce to 1-2 teaspoons.
- To use soy sauce in place of coconut aminos, use 1/4 cup of soy sauce and 3/4 cup of water or chicken broth in their place.
- To make in a slow cooker, add all of the sauce ingredients to a slow cooker and whisk to combine, then toss with the chicken, and cook for 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low. Then, remove the chicken from the slow cooker, shred with two forks, and transfer the sauce to a pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Whisk together 1/4 cup of water with the cornstarch and stir into the boiling sauce. Let cook for about 1 minute, until thickened, then remove from heat.
This is one of the top three favorite meals in my family! I plan on doubling the recipe. Do I need to change anything about the cooking process when I add mor ingredients or chicken?
We are so glad to hear that, Melissa! Thank you for taking the time to share with us. You shouldn’t have to change anything in the cooking process to double the recipe. -Team FF
This recipe was so easy and delicious! However, I assume itโs not supposed to be really spicy? I could only find chili garlic hot sauceโฆoopsโฆIf you like some heat I recommend this sauce. Canโt wait to try again but turn down the heat a bit!
Hi Erin! Oh yes, the chili garlic hot sauce will give a touch more heat than regular chili garlic sauce. I hope you enjoyed the extra kick! Thank you for taking the time to share with us. We appreciate it! -Team FF
I made this in the slow cooker, and 1 Cup of coconut aminos made it way too salty. I will definitely try again and reduce to maybe 1/4C or 1/2C.
Oh no! We’re so sorry, Genna. This dish can definitely be on the saltier side. We find that Coconut Secret brand is less salty than some others. -Team FF
This is now our go-to recipe when we have people over or serve a group – or for family dinner. It’s been labeled the “best chicken I’ve ever had” by multiple guests.
This is now our go-to recipe when we have people over or serve a group – or for family dinner. It’s been labeled the “best chicken I’ve ever had” by multiple guests.
That is so great, Lindsay! We love to hear that. Thank you for taking the time to share with us.
Looks great but there was no Pinit button to click so couldnโt addd to Pinterest
This recipe is fantastic! I was looking for something fast and easy after work and the Fed and Fit team nailed it again! The chicken was so flavorful and juicy with very minimal hands-on time. I’ll definitely be doubling up for the next work potluck!
We’re so glad you loved it, Sidney! Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
After 3 years, I finally pulled my Instant Pot from the attic and tried this recipe for my first go using the machine. It was ssooo easy to follow and the chicken was so flavorful! Pull apart tender. Instead of over rice, we put it on hamburger buns like a pulled chicken sandwich. Love love!
P.S. I didnโt have chili garlic sauce, so I just used tomato paste and chopped garlic. Worked great.
That’s amazing, Sarah! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Oooh, having this on hamburger buns is a great idea!
Another hit. I was seriously scared of my instant pot because my chicken breasts never turned out so well in the past. But thighs make such a difference. This sauce is delicious. Serving over rice tonight.
So glad you liked this recipe, Jenny! It’s one of my favorites too!
Made this in my crock pot, for 8 hours as noted. My crockpot doesn’t have a heat setting, but claims its “smart” so should cook at the right temp given the time that’s chosen. Maybe its not “that” smart. My chicken was WAY over cooked. In fact I didn’t know it was possible to dry out chicken thighs as much as mine did. All in all the sauce helped and I thought it was good, just don’t think it needed 8 hours by any means 5 probably would have sufficed.
Oh no! So sorry that happened, Jill. Thank you for letting us know!
Made this tonight with chicken breast and it was so good! Definitely going to add this one to the menu regularly!
So glad to hear that, Kathy! Thank you for sharing this with us.
What’s a sub for sesame oil
Hi Dania, avocado oil or olive oil are great subs for sesame oil if you don’t have any on hand or prefer to use something else. You just won’t get the slight toasted sesame flavor from the oil, but that’s ok! -Team F&F
SO excited to try this this weekend — we just did the Chicken Tikka last night and it was amazing. Thinking of doing a double batch and freezing half. Do I need to change anything or do anything special when freezing? Assuming I should add the bourbon at time of cooking? Thanks so much for all your recipes, we have yet to make one from your blog or your cookbook that wasn’t a hit!
Made this recipe tonight in the crock pot. So good and so simple. The flavors were outstanding. Thank you!
Awesome! We’re so glad. Thank you for sharing this with us, Sara!
MUST TRY! Fantastic flavor, thank you:)
Wahoo! We’re so glad that you loved it, Sierra!
My recipe for this turned out extremely salty. I ended up adding at least 4 cups of water and it was still extremely salty, I couldnโt finish it. I used liquid coconut aminos.
Just figured it out, used liquid aminos instead of coconut aminos. Will definitely try again soon with the correct ingredients!
Ah, I’m so sorry!! Yes, definitely give it another try with coconut aminos!!