Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken

This easy instant pot bourbon chicken comes together in under 40 minutes with a sticky sauce tickled with a splash of bourbon for caramelized sweetness.

Why this recipe works

That’s right, instant pot bourbon chicken incorporates bourbon into a sticky, savory sauce that’s smothered over bite-sized pieces of chicken and served over a bed of rice.

Bourbon chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish you see plastered on the menu at the mall or local restaurants. It’s really quite simple to make and even easier to prepare in the instant pot because it does most of the work for you. You don’t have to change out of your PJs to go grab dinner when you can make the most delicious honey bourbon chicken at home in under 40 minutes from start to finish!

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

CHICKEN – We use chicken thighs because we love the flavor it adds to the dish, however, you can substitute with chicken breasts if that’s what you prefer.

BOURBON – Bourbon is in the name of the dish, so I would consider it a staple here as it adds a layer of depth you wouldn’t get when using something else in its place. 3 Tablespoons is all you need, which is about the size of a mini shooter (50ml) you can find at the liquor store. It will add caramelized sweetness to the sauce which is exactly what we want. That said, if you would still like to omit the bourbon then you can substitute it with apple juice.

How to Make Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together garlic, ginger, ketchup, soy sauce, honey, bourbon, and olive oil.
2. Cut chicken thighs into bite-sized chunks and place in a large mixing bowl.
3. Pour sauce into bowl with chicken.
4. Add the contents of the bowl to the Instant Pot, close the lid, and seal the vent. Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
5. When done do a quick release.
6. Remove lid and change the setting to saute.
7. Make a slurry from the cornstarch and water. Stir the slurry into the sauce and allow to cook until thickened, about 2-4 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Store leftover bourbon chicken in an airtight container kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of water to loosen the sauce back up.

Bourbon chicken was born on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. While some say it has to contain bourbon, others will argue that the name simply comes from the historic street in the French Quarter. We like to include bourbon in our recipe because the caramelized bit of sweetness it adds to the sauce is unmatched. You’ll find many different adaptations of this recipe, all of which can be considered bourbon chicken whether it contains alcohol or not!

Serving Suggestions

Serve instant pot bourbon chicken over a bed of white rice or garlic butter rice with sliced green onions and sesame seeds as garnish. Pair with stir-fried veggies to add some color to the plate, or toss in some diced bell peppers before pressure cooking.

More Related Recipes

• Orange Chicken
• Bourbon Chicken
• Sweet and Sour Chicken
• Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry
• Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

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