Make this sweet and spicy Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken in your pressure cooker for a quick weeknight meal. Pair with brown rice and a side salad for an easy, filling dinner. The stovetop method is also included.
Okay, if the question is have I ever had bourbon chicken from a food court at a mall? Then the answer is no. If the question is if you make this Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken will you become a beautiful, famous, generous, genius of a millionaire? Well, the answer is still no. But, you'll have an out of this world, easy to make dinner. And that's enough for me.
Well since we're not becoming millionaires today, I guess we'll have to feed ourselves instead of asking our personal chef to prepare us something. And to do that, we're going to let our pressure cooker do all the work for us, right?
And if you don't have a pressure cooker, I'm including the stovetop method as well so that everybody wins. Except for vegetarians - it's a chicken recipe. But I've got lots of great vegetarian takeout copycat recipes like this Pad Thai with Tofu or this Vegetarian Chow Mein. So actually, I guess everybody does win after all. 🙂
What you'll need for this Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken
- the chicken!
- bourbon (I like Four Roses Bourbon for cooking. I used this recently for Honey Bourbon Meatballs.)
- ginger + garlic + onion
- apple cider vinegar
- brown sugar
- red pepper flakes
- cornstarch to thicken the sauce
- I use the 6 qt Instant Pot Ultra and I love it {affiliate link}
- Alternatively, you can use the stovetop method with a large frying pan.
Disclosure: Affiliate links - these are links to products I actually use and enjoy. If you purchase through my link, I will earn a small commission at no added cost to you. Feel free to google the product yourself instead of using my link.
How to Make Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken
Pressure Cooker Method
Start with the saute setting on your pressure cooker and cook the onions for a few minutes, to start softening them. (You can brown the chicken too if you want - I tested and don't think it's necessary) Add the garlic and ginger and let them cook for a minute or so while stirring.
Add the bourbon to deglaze the bottom of the pot. Gently move the browned bits from the bottom and stir everything together, letting the bourbon cook for a minute or two. This mellows the bourbon flavor a bit. Adding the bourbon in with the rest of the sauce leaves a very harsh bourbon flavor in my opinion - I tested both ways.
Add the rest of the ingredients including the chicken, except for the cornstarch. Add the lid, set to sealing and pressure cook on high for 7 minutes. Release pressure immediately.
Set your pressure cooker to saute and add the cornstarch slurry. Saute for a few minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens. Serve immediately.
Stove Top Method
To make this recipe on the stovetop set a frying pan over medium heat. Add the oil and the onions. Cook for two to three minutes, until the onions start to soften and brown. Add the chicken and cook for about 5 minutes, until the chicken is beginning to brown. Add the ginger and garlic and cook while stirring for another 30 seconds or so. Carefully add the bourbon to deglaze the pan and cook for a minute or two while stirring and loosening the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
In a medium bowl, mix together the rest of the ingredients and then add to the frying pan. Cook over medium for 5-6 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked.
Add the cornstarch slurry and cook for about 4 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Serve hot.
What do you serve with bourbon chicken?
I like to serve this recipe with brown rice, as in the photos. I've also served this with mashed potatoes and a simple sautéed cabbage and it was amazing.
What bourbon is good to cook with?
I like Four Roses Bourbon and Evan Williams Bourbon. I've used them in my Honey Bourbon Meatballs recipe also.
Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast (cut into chunks)
- ½ yellow onion (diced)
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup bourbon
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
Instant Pot Method
- Using the sauté function on your pressure cooker, sauté the onions for about 2 minutes, or until beginning to brown. Add the ginger and garlic and saute about 30 seconds.
- Add the bourbon to the pan and cook for about 2 minutes.
- Add the chicken, soy sauce, brown sugar, water, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes.
- Close lid, set to seal and pressure cook on high for 8 minutes. Release pressure immediately.
- turn pressure cooker to saute again and, add the cornstarch slurry to. Cook a few minutes to thicken. (The sauce doesn't get as thick as the stovetop method.) Serve hot.
Stove Top Method
- Heat a large frying pan over medium heat.
- Add oil and the onion and cooker for about 3 minutes, or until starting to soften and brown.
- Add the garlic and ginger. Cook for about 30 seconds. Add the bourbon and cook for 2 minutes. Add the chicken, soy sauce, brown sugar, water, apple cider vinegar, and the red pepper flakes.
- Cook 6-7 minutes, or until the chicken is done.
- Add the cornstarch slurry and cook for 4 more minutes, until the sauce has thickened up.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- I use Four Roses Bourbon for this recipe.
- I think chicken thighs would be great in this recipe also.
- I use the 6 qt Instant Pot Ultra. {affiliate link}
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. Values vary based on products used.
Read our full Nutrition Disclaimer.
N Alexander
Made this yesterday. Great flavour and texture
Jacqueline Piper
Thanks, happy you liked this one, I developed this recipe in Florida! Seems like ages ago!