Food Court Bourbon Chicken Copycat Recipe
This Food Court Bourbon Chicken copycat recipe features tender, juicy chicken thighs cooked in a flavorful, sweet-savory Asian-inspired sauce. The dish marries the richness of brown sugar and tang of rice vinegar with the warmth of ginger and garlic, producing a perfect skillet-cooked meal reminiscent of the popular food court favorite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 lbs skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
Marinade & Sauce
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup apple juice (or cranberry juice)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 3 Tbsp cold water
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Cut the skinless chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces and set aside to prepare for cooking.
- Make the Marinade: In a bowl, combine ground ginger, garlic powder, black pepper, soy sauce, apple juice (or cranberry juice), water, rice vinegar, and brown sugar, stirring well to create a balanced marinade and sauce base.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 8-10 minutes until they are nicely browned on all sides, developing rich flavor and color.
- Simmer in Sauce: Pour the prepared marinade over the browned chicken. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to fully cook.
- Thicken the Sauce: Stir in the cornstarch dissolved in cold water gradually into the skillet. Continue cooking for a few minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency. Serve warm.
Notes
- For a healthier option, use low-sodium soy sauce.
- Apple juice can be substituted with cranberry juice for a slightly different fruity note.
- Make sure the chicken thighs are cut uniformly to ensure even cooking.
- Serve over steamed rice or with vegetables for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently on the stovetop to maintain sauce consistency.
Keywords: Bourbon chicken, food court chicken, Asian-inspired chicken, sweet and savory chicken, skillet chicken recipe, copycat recipe
