Our Most Saved Recipe of 2023

For those that have followed Allrecipes for some time, you know how much our community adores chicken. From Chicken Murphy to Chicken Cobbler and Million Dollar Chicken Casserole, we've yet to meet a chicken recipe we didn't love. But as we close out the year, there is one recipe that has stood the test of time and climbed the ranks to be our most saved recipe of 2023: Bourbon Chicken.

This recipe has been on our site for so long, it’s practically old enough to rent a car. And, after 25 years, home cooks are still loving this simple and flavorful dish just as much as the day it was published. Plus, it uses only seven ingredients and one pan, keeping both cooking and clean-up easy. It’s so good you can—and will want to—make it all year long.

What Is Bourbon Chicken?

For those unfamiliar with bourbon chicken, the dish is believed to have been created at a Chinese restaurant on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. However, the recipe name has a double meaning—bourbon is also used as an ingredient. Bourbon is not a common ingredient in Asian cuisines, but the confluence of Cajun and Chinese cultures works to create a uniquely flavorful chicken dish. 

In addition to the bourbon, the sauce also includes brown sugar, chicken broth, soy sauce, vinegar, minced onion, fresh grated ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes.

“The flavor of the [sauce] was incredible,” writes recipe reviewer Allison Blakeman. “I followed the recipe exactly (except I doubled it) and the chicken had that amazing, rich, sticky flavor I associate with bourbon chicken. It tastes better than any other bourbon chicken I've had in restaurants; I was dancing around my kitchen.”

Don’t let this boozy entrée turn you away simply because it’s made with whiskey. The alcohol cooks off, leaving behind a sweet, nutty flavor. You can also substitute apple juice for bourbon if you prefer. “I'm not a drinker, but did not find the amount of bourbon overpowering,” says home cook Kathleen. “This will be a regular for us!”

Tips for Making Bourbon Chicken Even Better

1. Use your favorite cut of chicken.

One reason this recipe is so popular is because it's incredibly versatile and forgiving. While the recipe calls for chicken thighs, other Allrecipes community members have used breasts or a combination of both, so feel free to use whichever chicken parts you have on hand. A few users even substituted out chicken entirely, opting for pork tenderloin instead.

2. Adjust the bourbon sauce to your taste.

In regards to the stir fry sauce, small substitutions can really boost the flavor. Some reviewers suggest cutting the soy sauce by about half, and, depending on your sweet tooth, you can adjust the amount of brown sugar as well. Amp up the heat by adding more crushed red pepper, if you prefer.

3. Pull out the slow cooker.

Finally, you can always utilize the slow cooker to make bourbon chicken even easier. “After reading reviews, I realized this dish can be cooked in a slow cooker,” writes recipes reviewer Teresa L. Foster. “I doubled the recipe except the soy sauce. I cut my chicken into 2-inch chunks, a combination of thighs and breast, put everything in the slow cooker, and cooked on low for 4-6 hours.”

No matter how you decide to prepare or serve it, Bourbon Chicken is a dish you’ll want to save to your recipe collection to make well into 2024 (and beyond).