Craving a takeout classic without leaving your home? This easy Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken recipe delivers mouthwatering results in under 40 minutes, featuring tender chicken pieces coated in a luscious, sticky sauce with a hint of caramelized sweetness. Forget the long waits and enjoy a beloved Chinese-American dish right from your kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe
There’s a reason Bourbon Chicken is a perennial favorite on restaurant and mall food court menus. It’s a symphony of sweet and savory, with a deeply satisfying stickiness that makes every bite a pleasure. But why make it in the Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot transforms this classic into an incredibly convenient and lightning-fast weeknight meal. This recipe works because it leverages the magic of pressure cooking to infuse the chicken with flavor and tenderize it in mere minutes. The result is juicy, succulent chicken bathed in a rich, glossy sauce that truly tastes like it’s been simmering for hours. The pressure cooker not only slashes cooking time but also locks in moisture and flavor, creating a depth that traditional stovetop methods often struggle to achieve without extensive reduction. Plus, it’s a one-pot wonder, simplifying cleanup and allowing you to enjoy a gourmet-quality meal without the usual fuss. Skip the drive-thru and create restaurant-worthy Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken that’s far superior in taste and freshness, all while wearing your comfiest clothes!
Essential Ingredients for Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken
Crafting this flavorful Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken requires a simple list of ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. Each component plays a vital role in building the signature sweet and savory profile of this beloved dish.
Ingredient Spotlight & Smart Substitutions
Let’s dive deeper into the key ingredients and how to make this recipe work for your pantry and preferences:
CHICKEN: For the most tender and flavorful Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken, we highly recommend using boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Their higher fat content ensures the chicken stays incredibly juicy under pressure, and they absorb the rich sauce beautifully. However, if you prefer, 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 to prevent overcooking and maintain tenderness.
BOURBON: As the name suggests, bourbon is a signature component of this dish, lending a unique layer of depth and a delightful caramelized sweetness to the sauce that is truly unmatched. You only need about 3 tablespoons, which is roughly the size of a mini shooter bottle you can easily find at most liquor stores. The alcohol cooks off during the pressure cooking process, leaving behind only its complex flavor notes. If you prefer to omit alcohol from your cooking, or simply don’t have bourbon on hand, a fantastic substitute that mimics the sweet and slightly tangy notes is apple juice. It will still contribute to the lovely caramelization in the sauce, ensuring your Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken is delicious for everyone.
OTHER SAUCE INGREDIENTS:
- Minced Garlic and Ginger: These aromatic powerhouses are essential for building the foundational Asian-inspired flavor profile. Freshly minced is always best for maximum impact.
- Ketchup: Provides a touch of sweetness, acidity, and umami, contributing to the sauce’s characteristic tang and body.
- Soy Sauce: The cornerstone of savory Asian sauces, delivering salinity and deep umami. Use a good quality regular or low-sodium soy sauce based on your preference.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness and contributes to the sticky, glossy texture of the sauce, balancing the savory elements beautifully.
- Olive Oil: Used for whisking into the sauce, helping to emulsify and add richness.
CORNSTARCH & WATER SLURRY: This is your secret weapon for achieving that perfectly thick, luscious, and glossy sauce. A simple mixture of cornstarch and cold water, it’s added at the end of cooking to thicken the sauce to your desired consistency, transforming it from a thin liquid into a rich glaze.
Step-by-Step Guide: Making Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are designed to help you visualize each stage of making this incredibly simple Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken. For the full printable recipe with precise measurements, simply jump to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the minced garlic, minced ginger, ketchup, soy sauce, honey, bourbon (or apple juice), and olive oil. Whisk all these ingredients together thoroughly until the sauce is well-combined and smooth. This creates the foundational flavor of your Bourbon Chicken.
- Chop the Chicken: Take your boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts) and cut them into uniform, bite-sized chunks. Aim for pieces roughly 1 to 1.5 inches in size to ensure even cooking. Place the chopped chicken into a large mixing bowl.
- Coat the Chicken: Pour the prepared sauce directly over the chicken pieces in the large mixing bowl. Use a spoon or spatula to toss the chicken gently, ensuring every piece is thoroughly coated in the rich, sticky sauce. This marinating step, even if brief, helps infuse the chicken with flavor.
- Pressure Cook: Carefully transfer the sauced chicken and all remaining sauce from the bowl into the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Secure the lid, making sure the sealing ring is properly in place, and set the steam release valve to the “Sealing” position. Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
- Quick Release: Once the pressure cooking cycle is complete, carefully perform a quick release of the pressure. This involves turning the steam release valve to the “Venting” position. Stand clear of the steam as it releases. Once all the steam has escaped and the float valve drops, you can safely open the lid.
- Sauté and Thicken: Remove the lid from the Instant Pot. Change the setting to “Sauté” (or “Normal” if your model has different sauté settings).
- Create and Add Slurry: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and ¼ cup of cold water until a smooth slurry forms. This prevents lumps when added to the hot sauce. Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce in the Instant Pot, stirring constantly. Allow the sauce to cook, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency, typically about 2-4 minutes. The sauce should become glossy and coat the back of a spoon.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Leftover bourbon chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat. If the sauce has thickened too much during refrigeration, add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen it back to your preferred consistency. You can also microwave individual portions, stirring halfway through.
The origins of “Bourbon Chicken” are often linked to Bourbon Street in New Orleans, leading to some debate on whether the dish strictly requires bourbon. However, many popular recipes, including ours, embrace the use of bourbon for its incredible flavor contribution. The small amount of bourbon (3 tablespoons) used in this recipe is primarily for flavor. During the high-pressure cooking process, the vast majority of the alcohol will evaporate, leaving behind only the rich, caramelized sweetness and complex notes that bourbon adds. For those who prefer to avoid alcohol entirely, apple juice makes an excellent non-alcoholic substitute that still provides a similar sweet depth.
While it’s always best to use thawed chicken for even cooking and optimal flavor absorption, you can technically cook frozen chicken in the Instant Pot. If using frozen chicken, do not cut it into bite-sized pieces beforehand. Place the whole frozen chicken thighs (or breasts) directly into the pot with the sauce. Increase the pressure cooking time to 10-12 minutes on high pressure, then proceed with a quick release and the sauté/thickening step. You can then shred or cut the chicken into pieces after cooking. Be aware that the sauce might be slightly less flavorful if the chicken isn’t thawed, as it has less time to absorb the marinade.
If, after adding the cornstarch slurry and simmering for a few minutes on sauté mode, your sauce isn’t as thick as you’d like, you can make a second small slurry. Whisk 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Slowly add this to the simmering sauce, stirring constantly, until the desired thickness is achieved. Remember, the sauce will also continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
Delicious Serving Suggestions for Bourbon Chicken
Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken is a meal in itself, but it truly shines when paired with the right accompaniments. Serve it traditionally over a fluffy bed of white rice or flavorful garlic butter rice to soak up every last drop of that incredible sticky sauce. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for an extra pop of color and nutty flavor. To elevate your meal further, consider these delicious pairings:
- Stir-fried Vegetables: A medley of vibrant stir-fried broccoli, snap peas, carrots, and bell peppers adds freshness, crunch, and essential nutrients. You can even toss some diced bell peppers into the Instant Pot with the chicken before pressure cooking for added color and flavor within the dish itself.
- Steamed Green Beans or Asparagus: Simple, healthy, and quick to prepare, these vegetables offer a crisp contrast to the rich chicken.
- Lo Mein Noodles: For a heartier meal, serve your bourbon chicken alongside a generous portion of stir-fried lo mein noodles.
- Asian Cucumber Salad: A light, refreshing, and tangy cucumber salad can provide a wonderful counterpoint to the sweetness of the chicken.
- Spring Rolls or Egg Rolls: A classic appetizer pairing that complements the Chinese-American flavors of the main dish.
More Mouthwatering Asian-Inspired Chicken Recipes
If you loved this Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken, you’ll surely enjoy exploring more delicious and easy chicken recipes with an Asian flair. Expand your culinary horizons with these popular dishes:
- Zesty Homemade Orange Chicken
- Classic Stovetop Bourbon Chicken
- Perfect Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Quick Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry
- Effortless Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
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Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken
This Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken recipe delivers tender, bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a irresistibly sticky, savory, and sweet sauce, perfect for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner.
IMPORTANT – You’ll find many helpful tips and frequently asked questions throughout the blog post above. Be sure to scroll up and read them for the best results!
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Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- 3 Tablespoons ketchup
- 3 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 Tablespoons bourbon (or apple juice for non-alcoholic)
- 3 Tablespoons honey
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ¾ pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Mixing bowls
Before You Begin
- Remember, 3 Tablespoons of bourbon is a small amount, typically found in a mini shooter bottle (50ml), and contributes a wonderful caramelized sweetness. If you wish to omit it, apple juice is an excellent substitute.
- While chicken thighs are recommended for their flavor and juiciness, boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be used if preferred.
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together garlic, ginger, ketchup, soy sauce, honey, bourbon, and olive oil until smooth.
- Cut boneless, skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized chunks and place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the prepared sauce into the bowl with the chicken and toss to ensure all chicken pieces are well-coated.
- Add the entire contents of the bowl (chicken and sauce) to the Instant Pot. Close the lid and set the vent to “Sealing.” Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
- Once cooking is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure.
- Carefully remove the lid and change the Instant Pot setting to “Sauté.”
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and ¼ cup of water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the simmering sauce in the Instant Pot and allow it to cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to a glossy, desirable consistency, about 2-4 minutes.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Store leftover Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce needs loosening.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving |
Calories: 266cal |
Carbohydrates: 13g |
Protein: 26g |
Fat: 10g |
Saturated Fat: 2g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 5g |
Trans Fat: 0.02g |
Cholesterol: 126mg |
Sodium: 475mg |
Potassium: 391mg |
Fiber: 0.2g |
Sugar: 10g |
Vitamin A: 70IU |
Vitamin C: 1mg |
Calcium: 19mg |
Iron: 1mg
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The recipes on this blog are meticulously tested using a conventional gas oven and stovetop. It’s important to acknowledge that appliance performance, especially with age, can vary. We recommend using an inexpensive oven thermometer to ensure your oven maintains the correct temperature. When using toaster ovens, countertop ovens, pressure cookers, air fryers, slow cookers, or other specialized appliances, heat distribution may differ from a full-sized conventional oven, potentially requiring adjustments to cooking or baking times. For baking recipes where ingredients are measured by weight, using cups instead may yield inconsistent results, and we cannot guarantee success with alternative measurement methods. Links to the specific appliances we use are provided within each respective recipe for guidance.