Bourbon Chicken Stir-Fry with Sweet Ginger Glaze
Tender chicken pieces stir-fried in a rich bourbon-infused ginger glaze, served with sautéed vegetables for a satisfying meal. This chinese-inspired chinese ready in about 30 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, soy sauce, bourbon whiskey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp bourbon whiskey
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp, minced fresh ginger root
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2, sliced green onions
- 1 medium, sliced red bell pepper
- 1 cup broccoli florets
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces. Toss with 1 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Step 2: In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp bourbon whiskey, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Stir until sugar dissolves.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup broccoli florets and 1 sliced red bell pepper to the skillet. Stir-fry for 3 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Step 5: Pour the bourbon-ginger sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Add 1/4 cup water and simmer for 3 minutes, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bourbon Chicken Stir-Fry with Sweet Ginger Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Bourbon Chicken Stir-Fry with Sweet Ginger Glaze?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bourbon Chicken Stir-Fry with Sweet Ginger Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Bourbon Chicken Stir-Fry with Sweet Ginger Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Bourbon Chicken Stir-Fry with Sweet Ginger Glaze?
Chinese chinese like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
A family favorite now. Even my picky kids loved the sweet and savory combo.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! The ginger flavor really shone through and the chicken was tender.
- ★★★★★
This was my first time making bourbon chicken and it turned out amazing! The glaze was perfect.