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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- Preparation: Slice chicken thighs into uniform chunks. Season and thoroughly coat with cornstarch in a large mixing bowl, ensuring even coverage.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Sauce Refinement: Lower heat and continue cooking until the sauce transforms into a thick, glossy consistency that elegantly embraces each chicken piece.
- 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