Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

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Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken is a flavorful chicken dish marinated in a bourbon soy sauce. Ready in 30 minutes, this dish is the perfect family dinner on a busy weeknight.

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What is Bourbon Chicken?

The dish originated in New Orleans and was named after the popular Bourbon Street. Although this recipe came from the South, it is very popular at Asian restaurants and in malls across America.

Due to its distinctive sweet and sticky sauce, bourbon chicken naturally joined the Asian takeout menu and became a popular chicken recipe that many love.

You can find bourbon chicken which is also called honey bourbon chicken in the mall food court but you can also make the most amazing homemade Instant Pot bourbon chicken with ease from the comfort of your kitchen.

Is Bourbon Chicken Healthy?

This recipe makes a great healthy choice as it’s low in calories and fat. Chicken is an excellent meat that’s very lean, which makes it low in fat and calories. Overall this chicken recipe for the Instant Pot is a great choice! It’s delicious and healthy.

Why Make Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken?

The chicken is quickly cooked quickly under pressure and coated with a deliciously sweet and sticky sauce.

Bourbon chicken is a perfect rotational dish to add to your weeknight menu as it’s full of flavors and it’s an easy Instant Pot chicken recipe to make at home. Give Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken a try and it will quickly become one of your favorite chicken dishes. I’m sure!

Instant Pot Chicken Vs Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken?

The main difference between regular chicken and bourbon chicken is in the sauce. The latter has a sweet and savory sauce made with bourbon, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ketchup. While regular chicken is cooked in water or a broth it can be served with various sauces or dry seasonings.

Bourbon Chicken cooks very quickly so taking advantage of the Instant Pot for this dish is ideal as it eliminates the long marinating time, while still providing a mouthwatering meal.

Did you make this recipe? If so

Does Bourbon Chicken Contain Bourbon?

This recipe does call for bourbon, and it is one of the main ingredients that give this meal such a distinctive taste. If you are afraid of using alcohol or don’t want to use this you could substitute it with apple juice.

Is This Instant Pot Recipe Alcoholic?

No! The bourbon alcohol evaporates as the sauce simmers under pressure. Therefore, the recipe is not alcoholic. However, if you prefer to substitute it, feel free. It tastes great either way!

Now that you know all about Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken, try making it today! Enjoy this amazing dish with a side of rice and you have the perfect weeknight dinner. Bon Appetit!

Bourbon Chicken Prep Time

Around 4 minutes

Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make this bourbon chicken Instant Pot recipe:

For the Bourbon Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons of sesame oil. Sesame oil is available in most grocery stores and is very healthy for you. It adds a nice subtle flavor to the chicken which makes it even more delicious.
• 2 lbs of Chicken Breast. I used chicken breast cut into about 1″ pieces. You can use bigger or smaller pieces if you prefer.
• 4 Cloves garlic minced. You can use more if you want and it still tastes great.
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced. Ginger is a root that adds great flavor to this recipe and you should not skip it.
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed pepper flakes. This is optional and you can add less if you don’t want the sauce to be as spicy.
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce. You can use regular soy sauce if needed but l prefer low sodium.
• 1/4 cup brown sugar  (packed). This is key to making this sauce taste delicious and the sweetness balances out the strong flavors of the soy and ginger.
• 1/4 cup bourbon. You can substitute this with apple juice if you get a chance to try it. Bourbon chicken tastes great either way!
• 1/2 cup apple juice. Apple juice add’s to the sweetness of the sauce.
• 3 tablespoons ketchup. These are nice to thicken up the sauce a little bit without it becoming too thick or overwhelming.

Cornstarch Slurry Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch. Cornstarch mixture is a great thickener for this recipe. If you don’t have it, try adding some flour to thicken the sauce instead.
• 1/4 cup apple juice (or water). This is great for making the slurry mixture.

Garnish Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon minced green onion for garnish. Green onions are optional but adds a nice flavor to the chicken and makes it look great too!
• Sesame seeds. These add a nice texture and flavor to the chicken.

How To Make Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken?

Here are the step-by-step instructions for cooking Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken:

Step One: Cube Chicken Breast

Begin by cutting your skinless chicken breasts into cubes. Then place it into the Instant Pot.

Step Two: Add Ingredients To Instant Pot

Add all the sauce ingredients (except the cornstarch slurry) to the Instant Pot. Stir to combine.

Step Three: Pressure Cook Bourbon Chicken

Pressure cook the bourbon chicken on High Pressure for 5 minutes followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release. Then release any remaining pressure manually.

Step Four: Make Corn Starch Slurry

In a small bowl mix the cornstarch slurry ingredients until combined.

Step Five: Add Slurry And Saute

Turn the Instant Pot onto sauté mode and add the slurry mixture to the Instant Pot, stir and cook for 5-10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.

Step Six: Garnish And Serve

Serve the Instant Pot bourbon chicken with rice or noodles and garnish with sesame

 seeds and green onions.

You’ll love this easy bourbon chicken recipe!

What To Serve With Bourbon Chicken?

So what goes with bourbon chicken?

This dish is great to serve over jasmine rice, brown rice, pasta, baked potatoes or mashed potatoes. You can also serve it with steamed veggies, such as broccoli, or a nice cucumber salad on the side. 

We have a great guide for cooking rice in the Instant Pot and it usually only takes around five minutes! Instant pot rice is perfect every time, fluffy, white and absolutely delicious.

Can I Use Frozen Chicken Breasts In This Recipe?

Yes! Simply dice your frozen chicken breast meat and follow the same steps. You’ll just need to add an extra 3 minutes to the pressure cooking time.

Can I Cook Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken Thighs?

Yes. Simply swap the breasts for boneless skinless chicken thighs and either dice into cubes or leave the thighs whole.

Do I Have To Cube The Chicken Breast?

No. You don’t have to use cubed chicken for this recipe. If you want to cook a whole bourbon chicken breast in the Instant Pot, you can do so easily.

Simply place the chicken breasts at the bottom of your pressure cooker pot. The cooking time is roughly the same as cubed chicken breast.

Do I Have To Use Low Sodium Soy Sauce?

Low-sodium soy sauce is best for this recipe as it helps to keep the salt content of the dish under control. If you prefer a more intense flavor, feel free to use regular soy sauce. Just take care not to add too much or your dish will become overly salty.

How To Make Keto Bourbon Chicken

Bourbon chicken can make a great keto recipe if you’re on a low carb diet and looking for keto options.

You can skip the rice and potatoes and simply enjoy this as a Keto bourbon chicken dish with a selection of steamed veggies, cauliflower rice or as suggested above with a delicious cucumber salad.

How to Store Bourbon Chicken?

If you end up with leftovers, you can refrigerate this delicious dish with ease. First, let the dish completely cool down. Then, transfer the chicken to a container, and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Can You Freeze Bourbon Chicken?

Yes, you can freeze Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken. Let the dish cool down and then transfer it to a freezer-safe container.

Be sure to label it with the date of freezing. you can freeze bourbon chicken for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and heat it up in the microwave or stovetop until warm. Enjoy!

Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe Tips:

• I love using chicken breasts and cube them into smaller uniform pieces. Also, you could use boneless chicken thighs. Both work great. 
• As stated above, the alcohol content will evaporate as it is cooked under pressure. But if you want to avoid it, substitute it with apple juice. 
• Use fresh ginger and fresh garlic for the best flavor. To make it spicier, add some extra crushed red pepper flakes. 

Do I Need Chicken Broth For Bourbon Chicken?

No. This recipe has more than enough liquid to allow the bourbon sauce and chicken to come to pressure. So you won’t need chicken broth.

Can You Cook Stove Top Bourbon Chicken With The Same Ingredients?

Yes you can stove-top cook this easy chicken recipe. Follow the same steps and cook the bourbon chicken without pressure. You’ll need to simmer your sauce on low heat for 20-25 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

Also, use 1/4 cup of water if needed to get things going and help dissolve the cornstarch slurry.

How To Slow Cook Bourbon Chicken?

Cooking Bourbon Chicken in a crock pot is easy. You can follow all the instructions as written, just simply add everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for roughly 4 hours or high for 2 hours.

When you’re ready to serve, carefully remove your chicken from the crockpot and thicken the bourbon mixture using this cornstarch slurry method.

Can I Eat Bourbon Chicken While Pregnant?

Yes, but you should avoid eating the actual bourbon. As with all recipes that call for alcohol, the majority of it evaporates during cooking and only a trace remains in the final dish so it’s safe to eat.

Can Dogs Eat Bourbon Chicken?

No. While this dish tastes great, it’s not safe for dogs to consume as it contains high amounts of sugar and salt. Additionally, the alcohol content that is present in the sauce can be toxic to pets as well as the garlic. So best to keep this one for humans only.

You’ll love this juicy chicken recipe. It’s one of our favorite recipes using bourbon and it’s a great recipe for the whole family to enjoy!

More Instant Pot Recipes You Will Love

Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Marsala  – another delicious family favorite recipe. This dish takes only 30 minutes to prepare, and it’s super easy to make.

Instant Pot Pressure General Tso Chicken  – this is a gluten-free, low-calorie dish that’s also easy to make.

Instant Pot Sweet And Sour Chicken  – a popular takeout dish that you can now easily make at home.

Pressure Cooker Cashew Chicken  – this super easy, yet the lip-smackingly tasty recipe is a complete winner.

Instant Pot Honey Chicken  – another simple weeknight-friendly pressure cooker recipe that tastes just like what you would order at your

Pressure Cooker Pork Chops – one of the most flavorful Instant Pot pork chop recipes you will find

Pressure Cooker Beef and Broccoli  – this easy beef and broccoli stir fry can be ready in just 30 minutes, and it’s much healthier than takeout!

Instant Pot Low-Carb Loaded Cauliflower Soup – Instant Pot makes quick work of this healthy cauliflower soup.