Panda Express Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Panda Express Bourbon Chicken Recipe – You’ll love our smoky, sweet, and zesty version of this Bourbon Chinese Chicken copycat recipe! It’s easy to make on the stovetop or in a crockpot, and perfect to serve with rice and your favorite sides.

Why We Love This Panda Express Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Smoky, sweet, and terrifically tangy Bourbon Chicken is simple to make at home from scratch. Start to finish it takes under 40 minutes to prepare, so it’s perfect for an easy weeknight meal. Plus, leftovers hold over really well and are excellent to enjoy for lunch.

Because it is so effortless to cook on the stove, that’s typically how I prepare this dish. However, you can certainly make Bourbon Chicken in the crockpot! Below you’ll find steps for both methods, so just choose whichever you like.

What is Bourbon Chicken?

Bourbon Chicken is a confusing dish in name, ingredients, and flavor. Although bourbon is in the title it does not technically have to have bourbon in the ingredients list…

Fun fact: It’s actually called Bourbon Chicken because it was first created by a Chinese chef at a food court on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. This sticky-sweet chicken is a true Chinese food creation using ingredients like soy sauce, ginger, and garlic then mixed with ketchup, apple juice, and brown sugar to create the sauce.

The original recipe includes no bourbon at all! However, we’ve added a small amount for depth of flavor. But feel free to leave it out if you prefer a completely no-bourbon chicken dish.

Ingredients You Need

• Boneless chicken breasts – or boneless skinless chicken thighs
• Cornstarch – for a perfectly thick, luscious sauce
• Apple juice – to get just the right sweetness
• Light brown sugar – packed
• Soy sauce – we suggest low sodium soy sauce
• Bourbon – can omit
• Ketchup – for that signature tangy Bourbon Chicken taste
• Seasonings – onion powder, ground ginger, and crushed red pepper
• Vegetable oil – or peanut oil
• Garlic cloves – minced
• Salt and pepper – to taste

If you prefer to leave out the bourbon, simply substitute with more apple juice per the recipe below.

I also like to sprinkle on some freshly chopped green scallions to finish the dish. They add a nice pop of fresh flavor.

How To Make Bourbon Chicken From Scratch

1. First, cut the chicken into small 1-inch bite-size pieces. In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of pepper.
2. Next, make the sauce. In a medium bowl, mix the apple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, bourbon, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, ginger powder, and crushed red pepper together. Mix well and set aside.

3. Set a large saucepot (or large skillet or wok) over medium heat. Add the oil. Once hot, move the coated chicken pieces to the pan and sear the pieces on all sides. They don’t need to be completely cooked through, but you do want a nice gold color all around. Then move the chicken onto a holding plate. 

4. Next, add the garlic to the hot pan, and sauté for one minute. Pour in the sauce, stir, and bring to a boil. Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken for about 5 minutes.
5. Now stir in the chicken pieces, and simmer for another 5 minutes to finish cooking.
6. Serve warm with chopped green onions on top.

Get the Complete Ultimate Blazing Bourbon Chicken Recipe (Stovetop and Crockpot) + VIDEO Below. Enjoy!

How to Prepare Bourbon Chicken in a Crockpot

Although cooking this dish in a crockpot doesn’t cut down on set up or cook time, it is a great “set and forget” option. The deep, smoky, and sweet flavor is also incredibly rich when the Bourbon Chicken is made in a slow cooker.

First, prep the chicken per the original recipe. Toss with the cornstarch and seasonings, and brown the chicken on the stovetop. Then place all of the ingredients in the crock, cover, and slow cook for 3 to 4 hours. Give it a good stir before serving.

Tips and Tricks

• Use a mix of thighs and breasts for the best balance of tenderness and flavor. Thighs stay juicier.
• Pat the chicken dry before tossing it in cornstarch to help it brown better and get a nice sear.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan when searing—cook in batches if needed. Overcrowding will steam the chicken instead of browning it.
• Use freshly grated ginger instead of ground ginger for a more vibrant flavor.
• Let the bourbon cook for a minute before adding the rest of the sauce to enhance the flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This delicious bourbon chicken is the perfect dish for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner. With its sweet, savory, and slightly smoky glaze, it brings all the flavors of your favorite takeout spot right to your kitchen! Plus, it’s ready in under an hour, making it a fantastic meal for busy nights.

Serve the bourbon chicken over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice, stir-fried noodles, or alongside steamed broccoli and bell peppers for a complete meal. Garnish with sliced scallions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for an extra touch of flavor.

Craving more takeout-inspired favorites? Pair this dish with Chinese dumplings, crab rangoons, or a side of Panda Express-style fried rice to round out your meal. And if you love copycat recipes, be sure to try our versions of Orange Chicken, Beijing Beef, and Kung Pao Chicken for more restaurant-quality flavors at home!

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for More Delicious Chinese-Inspired Dishes? Be Sure to Try:

• Black Pepper Chicken Stir Fry
• Easy Szechuan Beef
• Firecracker Chicken Recipe (Paleo!)
• Chinese Chicken and Broccoli
• Instant Pot Chinese Sesame Chicken

Get the Complete Ultimate Bourbon Chicken Recipe (Stovetop and Crockpot) + VIDEO Below. Enjoy!

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