Speedy Mall-Style Bourbon Chicken Recipe for Busy Nights

Sizzling aromas of sweet and tangy mall bourbon chicken waft through bustling food courts, capturing taste buds instantly.

This beloved Asian-American fusion dish brings restaurant-quality flavors right to your kitchen.

Street food memories blend seamlessly with home cooking techniques.

Tender chicken pieces coated in a glossy, caramelized sauce promise a delectable meal that satisfies every craving.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors that dance across your palate.

Restaurant-style magic happens with simple ingredients and minimal effort.

Dive into this crowd-pleasing recipe and bring the mall food court experience home tonight.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 570 kcal

Servings: 5

Mall Bourbon Chicken: What You’ll Need

• Chicken Thighs: Juicy and flavorful cut that absorbs marinade beautifully, providing rich texture and tender meat. Choose boneless and skinless for easy preparation.

• Bourbon, Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar, Rice Vinegar: Create a deep, complex flavor profile with sweet, tangy, and rich undertones. Select quality bourbon for authentic taste.
• Garlic, Ginger, Chili Flakes: Aromatic ingredients that build layers of warmth and spice. Use fresh ginger and garlic for maximum flavor intensity.
• Chicken Stock: Provides liquid base and additional depth to the sauce. Opt for low-sodium stock to control overall saltiness.

• Cornstarch: Helps create a crispy exterior and thickens sauce, ensuring chicken remains succulent. Use fresh, clump-free cornstarch.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures even cooking and prevents sticking. Choose neutral-flavored oil with high smoke point.
• Toasted Sesame Seeds: Adds nutty crunch and visual appeal. Toast seeds briefly for enhanced flavor.
• Green Scallions: Brings fresh, sharp brightness to finish the dish. Select bright green, crisp scallions.
• Salt: Balances and enhances overall flavor profile. Use kosher or sea salt for best results.

Tools That Make Mall Bourbon Chicken Easy

• Large Skillet: 12-inch pan essential for browning chicken and making the sauce.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for tossing chicken with cornstarch and holding partially cooked meat.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping chicken into chunks and preparing garnish.
• Sharp Knife: Used to cut chicken thighs and chop green scallions.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients in the skillet.
• Tongs: Helpful for handling and moving chicken during cooking.

How to Cook Mall-Style Bourbon Chicken at Home

• Chicken Prep

Slice chicken thighs into bite-sized chunks and coat lightly with cornstarch for a crispy exterior.

• Initial Searing

Warm a skillet with oil and quickly brown chicken pieces, creating a golden crust without fully cooking.

• Aromatic Foundation

Quickly toast garlic, ginger, and chili flakes to release their vibrant flavors and create a fragrant base.

• Sauce Creation

Combine bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, and stock into a rich, glossy liquid that will transform the chicken.

• Flavor Fusion

Return chicken to the pan and let it simmer in the sauce, allowing each piece to absorb the complex, sweet-savory blend.

• Final Touch

Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the chicken for a nutty crunch and visual appeal.

• Serving Suggestion

Nestle the glazed chicken over fluffy white rice and scatter fresh scallions on top for a pop of color and freshness.

Tips to Make Mall Bourbon Chicken Even Better

• Marinate chicken in bourbon mixture for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance meat's tenderness and absorb more complex flavors.
• Replace chicken thighs with chicken breasts, pork tenderloin, or firm tofu for different protein variations that match the sauce's rich profile.
• Adjust chili flakes to personalize heat intensity – reduce for mild versions or add extra flakes for bold, spicy kick that tingles taste buds.
• Substitute bourbon with apple juice or chicken broth for non-alcoholic version while maintaining similar sweet-tangy sauce characteristics.
• Double sauce recipe and store extra in refrigerator for up to 5 days, creating convenient quick-meal base for future dinners or quick lunch bowls.

Ways to Serve Mall Bourbon Chicken with Sides

• Pair with Steamed Rice: Ladle the saucy bourbon chicken over fluffy white rice, allowing the rich sauce to soak into each grain for maximum flavor absorption.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped green scallions or cilantro on top to add a bright, fresh pop of color and a crisp, peppery note to the dish.
• Create a Complete Meal: Serve alongside roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus to balance the savory chicken and provide a nutritious, well-rounded dinner plate.
• Add Crunch with Sides: Include a small portion of pickled cucumber or quick Asian slaw to introduce a tangy, crunchy contrast to the tender, saucy chicken.

Storing Bourbon Chicken So It Stays Flavorful

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover bourbon chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Keep the chicken and sauce together to maintain moisture and flavor.
• Freeze for Later: Pack cooled chicken in freezer-safe containers or bags. Frozen bourbon chicken stays delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat Perfectly: Warm chicken gently in a skillet over medium-low heat to prevent drying. Add a splash of chicken stock to restore sauce consistency and prevent toughening.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Marinate chicken in sauce ingredients up to 24 hours before cooking. This technique intensifies flavor and saves time during busy weeknights.

Tantalizing Mall Bourbon Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Succulent Mall Bourbon Chicken delivers classic American mall cuisine with tender chicken pieces glazed in sweet and tangy sauce. Hungry diners can recreate this nostalgic restaurant favorite quickly at home.

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Ingredients

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• 3 lbs (1.36 kg) boneless skinless chicken thighs
• ⅓ cup bourbon
• ⅓ cup soy sauce
• 1 ½ cups chicken stock
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 4 tbsps vinegar
• 3 tbsps vegetable oil
• 3 tbsps cornstarch
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1-inch piece fresh ginger root, grated
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp toasted white sesame seeds
• chopped green scallions for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Slice chicken thighs into uniform chunks. Season and thoroughly coat with cornstarch in a large mixing bowl, ensuring even coverage.
2. Searing: Heat a 12-inch skillet with vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Carefully brown chicken pieces for 2-5 minutes until achieving a golden exterior. Remove and set aside for later incorporation.
3. Aromatic Foundation: In the same skillet, quickly sauté minced garlic, grated ginger, and red chili flakes for 1 minute, releasing their intense flavors and creating a robust base.
4. Sauce Development: Combine chicken stock, bourbon, soy sauce, dark brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar into the skillet. Bring to a rapid boil, then reduce heat and simmer, allowing the sauce to concentrate and reduce for 6-8 minutes.
5. Final Cooking: Reintroduce browned chicken chunks to the skillet, increasing heat to medium-high. Cook for 5 minutes, ensuring chicken becomes completely tender and opaque throughout while absorbing the rich sauce.
6. Sauce Refinement: Lower heat and continue cooking until the sauce transforms into a thick, glossy consistency that elegantly embraces each chicken piece.
7. Finishing Touches: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the chicken, gently stirring to distribute evenly. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with finely chopped green scallions for a fresh, vibrant presentation.

Notes

• Cornstarch Coating Technique: Thoroughly coat chicken pieces in cornstarch for a crispy, golden exterior that locks in moisture and creates a delightful texture.
• Heat Management Tip: Control skillet temperature carefully to prevent burning while achieving perfect golden-brown chicken without overcooking.
• Sauce Reduction Strategy: Allow sauce to simmer and reduce, concentrating flavors and creating a glossy, thick coating that clings beautifully to each chicken piece.
• Garnish Enhancement: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and fresh scallions just before serving to add layers of flavor, texture, and visual appeal to the dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 870 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 43 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg