Ultimate Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken: Quick, Easy, and Delicious Homemade Takeout
Craving that sweet, savory, and sticky Bourbon Chicken from your favorite Chinese-American spot? Look no further! This incredible Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken recipe brings all those beloved flavors right to your kitchen in under 40 minutes. With minimal effort, you’ll create tender, bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a rich, caramelized sauce kissed with just the right hint of bourbon for an unparalleled depth of flavor. Forget the takeout menu; homemade has never been this simple or satisfying!
Why This Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe is a Must-Try
This Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken recipe isn’t just another weeknight meal; it’s a game-changer! Imagine succulent, juicy chicken smothered in a perfectly balanced sweet and savory sauce, ready to be served over fluffy rice, all achieved in under 40 minutes. The magic lies in the Instant Pot, which transforms a potentially lengthy cooking process into a fast, hands-off experience. No more standing over a hot stove, constantly stirring, or waiting for a slow simmer. The pressure cooker ensures your chicken is incredibly tender and infused with flavor in a fraction of the time.
Bourbon chicken has long been a beloved staple on Chinese-American restaurant menus, famous for its irresistible sticky glaze. But let’s be honest, nothing beats the freshness and satisfaction of a homemade version. This recipe elevates the classic by harnessing the Instant Pot’s power to create a depth of flavor that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours. The bourbon in the sauce undergoes a wonderful caramelization, contributing a unique sweetness and a subtle, complex note that truly sets this dish apart. You get all the deliciousness of restaurant-quality bourbon chicken without even having to change out of your pajamas!
Gather Your Ingredients for Perfect Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken
Making this incredible Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken is surprisingly simple, especially once you have all your ingredients ready. The beauty of this dish lies in its accessible ingredients that combine to create a powerhouse of flavor. Below you’ll find a visual guide to the components, and for precise measurements and a printer-friendly version, simply scroll to the end of this post to access the full recipe card. Getting everything prepped beforehand will ensure a smooth and enjoyable cooking experience.
Ingredient Spotlight: Tips & Clever Substitutions
Understanding each ingredient’s role and knowing your options for substitutions can make all the difference in perfecting this dish or adapting it to your preferences. Here’s a closer look:
CHICKEN – For this recipe, we highly recommend using boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Their slightly higher fat content ensures they remain incredibly juicy and flavorful under pressure, adding richness to the overall dish. The dark meat absorbs the sticky bourbon sauce beautifully. However, if you prefer a leaner option, boneless, skinless chicken breasts can certainly be substituted. Just be mindful that chicken breasts tend to dry out more easily, so ensure they are cut into uniform, bite-sized pieces and avoid overcooking. If using breasts, you might even reduce the pressure cooking time by 1 minute to ensure maximum tenderness.
BOURBON – The star of the show! Bourbon is not just in the name; it’s a cornerstone of the flavor profile. It imparts a unique caramelized sweetness and a subtle, warming depth to the sauce that simply cannot be replicated with other ingredients. You only need a small amount – typically 3 Tablespoons, which is roughly the size of a mini (50ml) shooter bottle found at most liquor stores. The alcohol cooks off during the process, leaving behind only its rich, complex flavor. For this reason, we strongly encourage including it. If, however, you prefer to omit the alcohol entirely, apple juice is the best substitute. It offers a similar level of sweetness and a touch of fruitiness that complements the other sauce ingredients well. Alternatively, a good quality non-alcoholic vanilla extract can offer a hint of the complex notes bourbon provides, though it will not be the same.
OTHER SAUCE INGREDIENTS – Each component plays a crucial role:
- Minced Garlic & Ginger: Fresh is always best for maximum aromatic impact. If using powdered, remember that a little goes a long way (approx. 1/4 tsp powdered per 1 tsp fresh).
- Ketchup: Adds tanginess, sweetness, and a lovely reddish hue, contributing to the classic Americanized Chinese flavor.
- Soy Sauce: The backbone of savory flavor. Use low-sodium soy sauce if you are mindful of salt intake; you can always add more at the end.
- Honey: Contributes to the signature sticky sweetness and helps in the caramelization process. Maple syrup or brown sugar can be used as alternatives, but honey offers a distinct flavor.
- Olive Oil: Used to help emulsify the sauce ingredients and prevent sticking, though its flavor is subtle here. Any neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil will work.
- Cornstarch & Water (Slurry): Essential for thickening the sauce to that perfect glossy, sticky consistency. Do not skip this step!
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this delicious recipe. For a complete printable version, with all precise measurements and instructions, you can Jump to Recipe at the very bottom of this post.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, minced ginger, ketchup, soy sauce, honey, bourbon, and olive oil until thoroughly combined. This creates the flavorful marinade and cooking sauce.
- Cut your boneless, skinless chicken thighs into uniform bite-sized chunks, roughly 1-inch pieces. Place these chicken pieces into a large mixing bowl. Uniform pieces ensure even cooking.
- Pour the prepared sauce directly over the chicken in the large mixing bowl. Stir well to ensure every piece of chicken is thoroughly coated with the delicious bourbon sauce.
- Carefully transfer the sauced chicken to the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Close the lid securely and make sure the sealing vent is set to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” setting and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
- Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure. This means carefully turning the sealing vent to the “Venting” position to rapidly release the steam. Be cautious of the hot steam.
- When the pressure has fully released and the float valve drops, remove the lid. Change the Instant Pot setting to “Saute” mode. This will allow the sauce to simmer and thicken.
- In a small separate bowl, create a slurry by whisking together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Pour this slurry into the simmering sauce in the Instant Pot and stir continuously. Allow the sauce to cook for approximately 2-4 minutes, or until it reaches your desired thick, glossy, and sticky consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Bourbon Chicken Success
Storing your delicious leftovers is simple! Transfer any remaining bourbon chicken and its sticky sauce into an airtight container. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, reheat the chicken on the stovetop over medium-low heat. To prevent the sauce from being too thick or dry, add a splash of water or a little chicken broth as it warms up to loosen the sauce back to its original consistency. You can also microwave it, stirring occasionally.
This is a fantastic question with a bit of a nuanced answer! The name “Bourbon chicken” is widely believed to have originated on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, a famous culinary hotspot known for its unique blend of French, Spanish, and Creole influences. Some recipes, like ours, proudly include bourbon, believing it adds an unmatched caramelized sweetness and depth that truly elevates the dish. The alcohol content cooks off completely during the simmering process, leaving only its distinctive flavor profile. Other versions, however, derive their name purely from the street’s historical significance and do not contain alcohol. You’ll find many adaptations of this popular Chinese-American dish, and whether it contains alcohol or not, it can still be considered authentic Bourbon Chicken. We believe the bourbon addition makes it truly special, contributing a layer of flavor that’s simply irresistible!
Absolutely! While not strictly necessary for Instant Pot cooking due to the efficient pressure infusion of flavor, marinating the chicken in the sauce for 30 minutes to an hour (or even overnight in the refrigerator) can further deepen the flavors. If marinating longer, ensure the chicken is covered and kept cold.
If you love a little heat, there are several ways to spice up your Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken! You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture, or a teaspoon of sriracha or chili garlic sauce. For an extra kick, a few drops of sesame chili oil drizzled over the finished dish would be perfect. Adjust to your personal spice preference!
Perfect Pairings & Serving Suggestions
Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken is wonderfully versatile and pairs well with a variety of side dishes. The classic way to enjoy this flavorful chicken is served over a steaming bed of fluffy white rice, allowing the sticky sauce to meld beautifully with every grain. For an extra burst of flavor, consider making garlic butter rice. Garnish with freshly sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for an authentic touch and a pop of color. To complete your meal, add some vibrant stir-fried vegetables on the side, like broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, or carrots. You can even toss in some diced bell peppers or other quick-cooking veggies directly into the Instant Pot with the chicken before pressure cooking for an easy one-pot meal addition!
More Delightful Asian-Inspired Recipes
- Zesty Orange Chicken
- Classic Bourbon Chicken (Stovetop Version)
- Homemade Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Quick Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry
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Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- 3 Tablespoons ketchup
- 3 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 Tablespoons bourbon
- 3 Tablespoons honey
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ¾ pound boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
Things You’ll Need
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Instant pot
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Mixing bowls
Before You Begin
- The 3 Tablespoons of bourbon are key to this dish’s unique flavor, providing caramelized sweetness. This is roughly the size of a mini shooter (50ml). If you prefer to omit alcohol, a great substitute is apple juice.
- For the best flavor and juiciness, we recommend boneless, skinless chicken thighs. However, if you prefer, chicken breasts can be used as a substitute, ensuring they are cut into even, bite-sized pieces.
Instructions
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In a medium bowl, thoroughly whisk together the minced garlic, ginger, ketchup, soy sauce, honey, bourbon, and olive oil to create your flavorful sauce.
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Cut your chicken thighs into uniform, bite-sized chunks and place them in a large mixing bowl.
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Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated.
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Transfer the contents of the bowl into your Instant Pot. Secure the lid and seal the vent. Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
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Once cooking is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure.
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Carefully remove the lid and change the Instant Pot setting to “Saute” mode.
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Make a cornstarch slurry by whisking cornstarch with water. Stir the slurry into the simmering sauce and allow to cook until the sauce is thickened and glossy, approximately 2-4 minutes.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Store leftover bourbon chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, warm on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
- For even deeper flavor, you can marinate the chicken in the sauce for 30 minutes to an hour (or up to overnight in the fridge) before cooking in the Instant Pot.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a teaspoon of sriracha to the sauce mixture before cooking.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.