Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken

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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 during those busy days!

You have probably tried this meal before at your local mall. This recipe is basically the remake of the food court classic but quickly and easily made in the Instant Pot. The chicken is quickly cooked under pressure and coated with a deliciously sweet and sticky sauce. This is a perfect rotational dish to add to your menu. It is full of flavors and quite easy to make at home. Give it a try and it will quickly become your favorite chicken dish!

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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 originated in New Orleans, it is very popular at Asian restaurants. I guess due to its distinctive sweet and sticky sauce, it was just natural to join the Asian menu. 

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. However, please note that the alcohol evaporates as the sauce simmers under pressure. Therefore, there is not much to worry about. But if you prefer to substitute it, feel free. It tastes great either way!

What do you need to make Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken?

You will need the following ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons  sesame oil
• 2 pounds  chicken breast  (or chicken thighs – cut into 1-inch cubes)
• 4 cloves  garlic  (minced)
• 1 teaspoon  fresh ginger  (minced)
• 1/4 teaspoon  crushed red pepper flakes 
• 1/4 cup  low sodium soy sauce 
• 1/4 cup  brown sugar  (packed)
• 1/4 cup  bourbon 
• 1 tablespoon  rice wine vinegar 
• 1/2 cup  apple juice 
• 1 tablespoon  ketchup 

Cornstarch Slurry:

• 2 tablespoons  cornstarch 
• 1/4 cup  apple juice  (or water)

Garnish:

•  sesame seeds 
•  green onions 

How to make Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken?

1. Add all the ingredients up to the Cornstarch Slurry to the Instant Pot. Stir to combine.
2. Cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes followed by a 10 Minutes Natural Pressure Release. Release remaining pressure manually.
3. In a small bowl mix the Cornstarch Slurry ingredients until combined.
4. Click on Sauté and add the mixture to the Instant Pot, stir cook for 5-10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
5. Serve with rice or noodles and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

What to serve with Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken?

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

How to store leftovers?

If you end up with leftovers, you can easily refrigerate for days to come. First, let the dish completely cool down. Then, transfer the chicken to a container, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat prior to serving. 

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 cooked under pressure. But if you want to totally avoid it, substitute it with apple juice. 
• In addition, if you do not have bourbon, feel free to use any type of whiskey or brandy. 
• Use fresh ginger and garlic for the best flavor. To make it spicier, add some extra red pepper flakes. 

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