Use this easy air fryer bourbon chicken recipe to make your favorite Asian-fusion mall dish at home with only a handful of ingredients! It features juicy pieces of chicken thighs marinated in a bold and delicious blend of soy sauce, whiskey, and brown sugar. Then air fry for only 20 minutes for an amazingly flavorful and practically foolproof dinner. Teriyaki chicken in air fryer is another delicious Asian inspired dish to try!
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Air fryer bourbon chicken is a fabulous fusion dish! It blends classic Asian cuisine ingredients with popular American Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey. Together they make a sticky, sweet and savory marinade and sauce that is simply irresistible!
You likely have had bourbon chicken at a mall or a local Chinese restaurant. But you might be interested to know that the origins of this dish are actually based in New Orleans, Louisiana! The now famous food are said to have been first made on Bourbon Street... Although there is some debate as to whether or not the original recipe contained bourbon.
Whatever the case, we are certainly using bourbon in our marinade here! It combines good strong whiskey with soy sauce, brown sugar, and just a few key spices for a marinade with lots of deep, complex flavors and just the right bit of sweetness. I like to marinate chopped chicken thighs for at least an hour to really get the meat infused with goodness.
The marinade can even be prepped in advance to marinate the chicken up to a full day before air frying! Whenever you are ready for dinner, place the thigh pieces in the fryer and cook for a quick 20 minutes. The outside of the chicken will be beautifully brown and lightly crisp, with moist and tender meat inside.
Serve homemade bourbon chicken with rice or your favorite carbs and other side dishes. The family is going to love this meal, so be ready to make it a regular part of your weekly dinner meal plan!
Ingredients
- 1 pound Chicken Thighs: Boneless and skinless dark meat thighs are rich and succulent. The meat comes out of the air fryer perfect tender and juicy!
- 4 ounces Soy Sauce: Tenderizes the meat and infuses it with salty, savory, and umami-rich flavors.
- ½ cup Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey: A strong bourbon with notes of oak and wood-y tastes.
- ½ cup Brown Sugar: The mellow sweetness cuts the bite of the alcohol and helps to caramelize the air fried chicken.
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder: An earthy and savory spice.
- 1 teaspoon Powdered Ginger: Gives the Asian-style chicken marinade a delightful bite of spice (not spicy!).
- 2 tablespoons Dried Minced Onion: This adds a nice savory favor and a bit of texture.
Step by step instructions
Start by creating the marinade. In a large mixing bowl, mix together ½ cup of Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey, 4 ounces of soy sauce, ½ cup of brown sugar, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger, and 2 tablespoons of dried minced onion. Stir these ingredients until the brown sugar is mostly dissolved and the mixture is even.
Add 1 pound of bite-size chicken thigh pieces (or keep them whole) to the bowl. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours to allow the chicken to soak up the flavors, which will enhance its tenderness and taste.
Once marinated, place chicken in your air fryer basket. If there's extra marinade, pour it over the chicken for more flavor. Cook in the air fryer for about 20 minutes. The chicken is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C).
If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can easily thicken the remaining marinade. Pour it into a small saucepan and heat to a simmer. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water until smooth, then add this mixture to the marinade. Stir continuously over medium heat until the sauce thickens, which should take about 2-3 minutes. Serve this thickened sauce over the cooked chicken or on the side as a dipping sauce.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, a good bit of the alcohol does cook out of the chicken in the air fryer. Bourbon chicken is safe to serve to children!
Yes, you absolutely can cook raw chicken in the air fryer! In fact, air frying raw chicken is one of the best cooking methods, in my opinion. I do suggest lining the basket to cut down on mess.
The soy, whiskey, and brown sugar marinade is a trifecta of deliciousness! Soy sauce has a savory and umami flavor that brights out the meatiness of the chicken. Adding whiskey and sugar brings deep, smoky and sweet flavors to the party. The result is a bourbon chicken that has both Asian and Southern notes... It is so scrumptious and unique, you've simply got to taste it for yourself!
Both bourbon and teriyaki chicken are made with tender pieces of chicken marinated in a soy-based sauce. However, the bourbon whiskey sets this recipe apart for most Asian-style dishes.
You can, but the taste of the chicken will change drastically. Try substituting the bourbon with apple juice plus 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
More chicken thighs recipes
Please try these delicious air fryer chicken thighs recipes that everybody in my house enjoys eating. Add a side dish and have it for lunch or dinner. Chicken also could be added to your kids lunchbox (its delicious cold too!). Great when meal planning too!
- Cilantro lime chicken thighs
- Gochujang chicken thighs (my favorite Korean style chicken!)
- Buffalo chicken thighs
- Garlic Parmesan chicken thighs
- Air fryer jerk chicken thighs
Leftovers and reheating
Store leftover air fryer bourbon chicken in the air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze leftovers. For that you will need to use a special freezer safe containers or plastic bags. Store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Reheat in the air fryer or in the microwave. Do not overheat or the chicken will become dry. Frozen chicken should be thawed in the fridge overnight for best results.
Hope you will like this air fryer bourbon chicken as much as we do. Rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.
Recipe
Air fryer bourbon chicken
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thigh meat cut into bite-size pieces or keep it whole
- 4 ounces soy sauce
- ½ cup Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon powdered ginger
- 2 tablespoons dried minced onion
Instructions
- Marinate chicken in the mixture of bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, and spices for 1-2 hours.
- Place marinated chicken in an air fryer safe pan and cook at 350°F for about 20 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- If desired, thicken the sauce with a cornstarch and water mixture.
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