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Panda Express Bourbon Chicken Copycat Recipe

Panda Express Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Panda Express is a popular fast-food chain known for its delicious Chinese-American cuisine. One of their most beloved dishes is the Bourbon Chicken, with its irresistible combination of sweet and savory flavors that keeps customers coming back for more.
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Author: Lori Walker, MS, RD
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 285kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds of boneless Chicken Breasts
  • 1 cup Bourbon
  • 1/2 cup Soy Sauce
  • 1/2 cup Vinegar
  • 2 tsp freshly grated Ginger
  • 2 cloves Garlic peeled and grated
  • 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
  • Vegetable Oil
  • 2 tbsp Cornstarch
  • 16 chopped Green Onion for garnish
  • 1/2 cup Water

Instructions

  • Begin by preparing the star of the dish – the chicken. Cut four pounds of boneless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and set them aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine one cup of bourbon, half a cup of soy sauce, half a cup of vinegar, two teaspoons of freshly grated ginger, two cloves of garlic (peeled and grated), and half a cup of brown sugar. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined.
  • Time to cook the chicken! Heat a large pan over medium heat and add a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Once hot, add the marinated chicken to the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is fully cooked and nicely browned on all sides.
  • While the chicken is cooking, let’s make a delicious sauce. In a small bowl, mix together two tablespoons of cornstarch with half a cup of water until there are no lumps. Once the chicken is fully cooked, pour this mixture into the pan and stir well. Let the sauce thicken for about three minutes, stirring occasionally. If needed, add more water to achieve the desired consistency. Once the sauce has thickened, turn off the heat and allow it to cool for a minute.
  • It’s time to serve this mouth-watering dish! Garnish with chopped green onions on top for an added pop of flavor and color. This delicious homemade Panda Express Bourbon Chicken is now ready to be enjoyed!

Notes

  • For the best results, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight) in the fridge before cooking.
  • If you don’t have bourbon on hand, you can substitute it with apple juice or apple cider.
  • Make sure to use freshly grated ginger for maximum flavor. If using ground ginger as a substitute, reduce the amount to 1 tsp.
  • Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar according to your preference.
  • For a healthier alternative, use honey or maple syrup instead of brown sugar.
Keyword: Panda Express Bourbon Chicken Recipe