Food Court Bourbon Chicken Recipe Made In 30 Minutes

This food court bourbon chicken recipe is an exact replica of the savory slightly sweet chicken that you used to be able to get at the mall! The best part is that you can have it ready and on the table in just 30 minutes and it's a breeze to whip up. Just 4 simple steps are all you have to follow to make it.

The Best Copycat Mall Bourbon Chicken

I don't know about you, but I used to specifically go to the food court at my local mall to get the bourbon chicken from the Chinese restaurant. However, since nearly every mall around me has gotten rid of its food court I no longer can satisfy my bourbon chicken cravings there.

So, since that's the case, I decided I had to replicate it at my house. And, well, this tasty recipe is the result! I'll even go out on a limb and say it's as close to the real thing that you'll ever make.

It's legit spot on. It's made with rich bourbon, soy sauce, and sweet brown sugar. The sauce is downright irresistible and the chicken turns out oh-so-tender just like it is at the mall.

Honestly, it's legit like you're eating in the mall food court, but better because it's in the comfort of your own home.

Ingredients

Another awesome thing about this recipe is that it's actually made entirely with simple ingredients.

I wouldn't be surprised if you have most - if not all - of them at home already.

Anyway, here's what you need to make this homemade bourbon chicken recipe:

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoon oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon bourbon
• 2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• ½ tablespoon hoisin sauce
• ⅓ cup water
• 2 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoon white sugar

How To Make Food Court Bourbon Chicken

Step 1: Cook The Chicken

 First, lightly season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper on all sides. Then, add a tablespoon of oil to a skillet and set it over medium-high heat.

Once it's nice and hot, add the chicken thighs and cook them for a few minutes on each side until they're golden and charred. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set it aside.

Step 2: Make the sauce

Now add a tablespoon of oil to a clean pan set over medium-low heat. Then add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Next, stir in the soy sauce, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, hoisin sauce, and water. Once combined, add the white and brown sugar and stir until dissolved. 

Step 3: Add the chicken

Now raise the heat to medium-high and bring the sauce to a simmer. While it's heating up, chop the cooked chicken and then add it to the sauce.

Simmer the chicken for 15 minutes in the sauce, stirring often, until the sauce has slightly thickened and the chicken has taken on a brown color. 

Step 4: Serve

 To finish up, take the pan off the heat and give everything one last stir.

Serve the bourbon chicken over rice, with veggies, or alone. You can then garnish it with chopped green onion and sesame seeds for a restaurant presentation. Enjoy! 

How To Store Bourbon Chicken

Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. I honestly think it tastes better leftover since the chicken has time to soak in that delicious sweet and sticky sauce.

For an easy freezer meal, freeze the chicken in a freezer-safe bag for about 3 months. You can then defrost it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

How To Reheat The Chicken

There are a couple of ways to reheat the chicken and make it taste delicious.

One is to add a bit of chicken broth to a pan and heat the chicken on medium heat until heated through.

I think the best way to reheat it is in the air fryer at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. It crisps the chicken up a bit and makes it taste even better!

If you're in a rush, just microwave the chicken in 20-second increments until it's warmed through.

More Chicken Recipes

• Boneless BBQ Wings
• Extra Crispy Panko Chicken
• Chicken Al Pastor
• Mustard Fried Chicken