When you can't get to New Orleans or Bourbon Street, make this Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken at home to get the taste right in your own home! Let your pressure cooker do the hard work for you and you'll have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes!
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The Instant Pot is the best for making quick dinners for your family. This recipe is a new family favorite and I have made it so many times! I love it because it's quick to make and so delicious! It only requires a few simple ingredients you probably already have in the house!
You'll find a version of this recipe in the mall food court too. Making it at home is so much better because you can control the quality of the ingredients that you add to the recipe. Whenever I think about what I want to make for dinner tonight, I always like to try to make recipes I can have at home, but make them more delicious and healthier too!
If you need some more dinner recipes, be sure to check out Instant Pot Chicken and Broccoli Pasta too!
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Ingredients to Gather
- Chicken thighs. They should be boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Oil. Olive oil or vegetable oil work.
- Bourbon whiskey. Use your favorite brand.
- Soy sauce. Low sodium soy sauce or regular soy sauce can be used.
- Brown sugar. For added sweetness.
- Apple cider vinegar. To cut the sweetness just a little bit.
- Chicken broth. I love homemade chicken broth, but store bought can be used, just make sure it's low sodium.
- Garlic and ginger. For added flavor. Ground ginger can be used instead of fresh ginger.
- Cornstarch. To make that sticky sauce!
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How To Make Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken
Cut the chicken into pieces. Turn the Instant Pot on the saute setting. Add the olive oil to the Instant Pot. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger. Turn the chicken until all sides are browned.
Cancel saute mode and add the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, bourbon whiskey, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Close the Instant Pot lid and set the cook time to 15 minutes on high pressure.
After 15 minutes, let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, quick release the remaining pressure. Take a cup of the cooking liquid and place it in a small bowl. Add the cornstarch to the small bowl and mix well. Add the cornstarch mixture to the Instant Pot and set the Instant Pot back to saute. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until sauce thickens. Serve immediately.
Tips and Tricks
- If you do not have apple cider vinegar, apple juice will work too.
- Cold water or vegetable broth can be used instead of chicken broth.
- Add red pepper flakes. If your family likes spicy food, feel free to add some spice!
- The Instant Pot will take 8-10 minutes to come up to pressure.
- Place leftovers in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
How To Serve Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken
- Top with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
- Add it to a bed of rice. You can make brown rice or white rice for this recipe. Cauliflower rice would be delicious too!
- Add it to quinoa or couscous. Rice isn't the only option! Quinoa, orzo, or couscous would be delicious too!
- Add it to pasta! Make a pound of your favorite pasta and then add it to the chicken. There is a lot of sauce so it will perfectly coat the pasta!
Recipe FAQs
Yes! This Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken recipe is a perfect freezer meal! Make the entire meal and then let it cool slightly. Place it in an airtight container that is freezer friendly. Freeze the container up to 3 months. To defrost, place it in the refrigerator at least 24 hours before you need it. Heat the chicken one the stovetop or on saute in the Instant Pot.
Yes! Chicken breasts have less fat than chicken thighs but they will work great in this recipe too!
Definitely! Do not cook the chicken before hand. Add all the ingredients to your crock pot (except the cornstarch) and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours. After the cooking time is up, place a cup of the cooking liquid in a small bowl and add the cornstarch. Mix well into a cornstarch slurry and then pour it back into the slow cooker. Cook for another 30 minutes and enjoy!
More Instant Pot Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Easy Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
- 4 Garlic Cloves Minced
- 1 tablespoon Ginger Grated
- ¼ cup Bourbon
- ½ cup Brown Sugar
- ¼ cup Soy Sauce
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into pieces. Turn the Instant Pot on the saute setting. Add the olive oil to the Instant Pot. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger. Turn the chicken until all sides are browned.
- Cancel saute mode and add the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, bourbon whiskey, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Close the Instant Pot lid and set the cook time to 15 minutes on high pressure.
- After 15 minutes, let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, quick release the remaining pressure.
- Take a cup of the cooking liquid and place it in a small bowl. Add the cornstarch to the small bowl and mix well. Add the cornstarch mixture to the Instant Pot and set the Instant Pot back to saute. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until sauce thickens. Serve immediately.
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Notes
- Feel free to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs.
- Add red pepper flakes if your family likes spicy food!
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