This Lighter Bourbon Chicken is made with tender chicken thighs smothered in a lightened up sticky bourbon sauce! This restaurant-worthy chicken dish can be made in less than 30 minutes! Packed with protein and perfect for those busy weekday nights!  

Makes 4 servings

This Lighter Bourbon Chicken is an inspired recipe from a recent trip we took to New Orleans, Louisiana.  I had the most amazing bourbon chicken and immediately knew after trying it that I had to recreate a lightened up version of the dish for my friends and family!

What is Bourbon Chicken?

It’s a popular dish in Louisiana that was supposedly created by a Chinese cook who worked in a restaurant on Bourbon Street. It’s sweet and savory chicken thighs cooked in a lip smacking bourbon sauce!

What ingredients do I need to make this Lighter Bourbon Chicken?

• Boneless skinless chicken thighs-cut into bite sized pieces. You can substitute the thighs for breast, keep in mind if you use chicken breasts, it just won’t be as flavorful and as juicy than if you used thighs.
• Olive oil-gives the chicken pieces a nice golden brown sear.
• Garlic powder-for flavor
• Salt-to taste
• Black pepper– to taste
• Onion powder-flavor for the chicken
• Ground ginger-for flavor
• Low sodium chicken broth or water-I link to use chicken broth for added flavor.
• Apple juice or Bourbon-you can use either one. Either one of these will give this dish that rich tangy flavor.
• Brown sweetener-for sweetness. I use Swerve or Lakanto Brown sweetener.
• Rice vinegar-for flavor.
• Low sodium soy sauce-for flavor.
• Cornstarch– thickens the sauce. You will dissolve it in 3 Tbsp cold water.

How do I make this Lighter Bourbon Chicken?

In a small bowl combine the garlic powder, ginger powder, apple juice or Bourbon, chicken broth or water, vinegar and soy sauce, and brown sweetener. Whisk until well blended. Set aside.

In a large sauté pan or skillet heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil on medium high heat.

Add the chicken pieces, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook the chicken until the juices have cooked off and the chicken starts to brown, about 8-10 minutes. 

Frequently stir the chicken pieces so they are cooked evenly.

Add the sauce mixture and stir well. Let the sauce come to a boil and then turn the heat down to medium. Simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes.

Add in the cornstarch liquid and stir until the sauce thickens. 

Serve over your favorite vegetables or rice.

Garnish with green scallions, if desired.

Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Ingredients for the Chicken:

• 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs- cut into bite sized pieces. You can substitute the thighs for breast, keep in mind if you use chicken breasts, they won’t be as flavorful and as juicy.
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Sauce ingredients: 

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 3/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 cup apple juice or Bourbon
• 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth or water
• 1/3 cup brown sweetener- I use Swerve or Lakanto Brown sweetener
• 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 3 Tbsp cold water

Directions: 

1. In a small bowl combine the garlic powder, ginger powder, apple juice or Bourbon, chicken broth or water, vinegar and soy sauce, and brown sweetener. Whisk until well blended. Set aside.
2. In a large sauté pan or skillet heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil on medium high heat.
3. Add the chicken pieces, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook the chicken until the juices have cooked off and the chicken starts to brown, about 8-10 minutes. 
4. Frequently stir the chicken pieces so they are cooked evenly.
5. Add the sauce mixture and stir well. Let the sauce come to a boil and then turn the heat down to medium. Simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes.
6. Add in the cornstarch liquid and stir until the sauce thickens. 
7. Serve over your favorite vegetables or rice. Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Makes 4 ( 1 cup) servings

• 2 WW Points® per serving if using skinless, boneless chicken breast and apple juice
• 3 WW Points® per serving if using skinless, boneless chicken breast and Bourbon
• 8 WW Points® per serving if using skinless, boneless chicken thighs and apple juice OR Bourbon

How do I track this recipe in my WW app? 

Click the link below to go to the recipe builder. You’ll first need to sign into your WW account and then the recipe builder will upload. The recipe builder is the most accurate way to create, obtain, and track the Points®

The recipe builder link only works for WW members located in the United States. If you are located outside of the United States, you’ll need to access the WW app manually to create the recipe in the recipe builder. 

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