If you’re craving takeout-style flavor without the hassle or the guilt, this Air Fryer Bourbon Chicken is your new weeknight hero. It’s sweet, savory, slightly sticky, and loaded with bold flavor—all made effortlessly in the air fryer!
Looking for more easy chicken dinners? Some of our favorites include Marry Me Chicken Pasta, Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese, and Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken and Rice. Each of these dishes is full of flavor and gets dinner on the table fast.
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Ingredients For Bourbon Chicken In The Air Fryer
- chicken breast
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
- bourbon
- soy sauce
- brown sugar
- ketchup
- garlic powder
- cornstarch
- green onion stalk
- Jasmine rice
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1: Chop chicken breasts into small cubes. Place chicken in a small bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Step 2: Prep air fryer with a liner (see photo). Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 5 minutes.
- Step 3: In a small saucepan, whisk together bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic powder, and cornstarch. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4: Flip chicken pieces over (for even cooking), and pour half of bourbon sauce on chicken. Use a pastry brush or spatula to spread sauce over all of the chicken pieces. Cook an additional 5-7 minutes in air fryer or until chicken is golden brown and cooked through
Hint: Use kitchen scissors to chop up green onions much faster than a knife.
Substitutions
(How about Bourbon Honey Chicken? Yum!)
Chicken thighs → Use chicken breasts or tofu for a leaner or vegetarian option.
Bourbon → Substitute with apple juice, chicken broth, or a splash of apple cider vinegar for a non-alcoholic version.
Soy sauce → Use tamari for gluten-free or coconut aminos for a lower sodium option.
Brown sugar → Swap with honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar.
Variations
Vegetable Bourbon Stir-Fry – Add bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas to cook with the chicken.
Spicy Bourbon Chicken – Add extra red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha for more heat.
Pineapple Bourbon Chicken – Stir in pineapple chunks for a tropical twist.
Gluten-Free Bourbon Chicken – Use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure all ingredients are gluten-free.
Equipment Needed
- Air Fryer- this one has stood the test of time
- Air Fryer Liners- make clean-up a breeze
- Microwave (you can also make traditional rice on the stovetop)
Storage
Store leftover Air Fryer Bourbon Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through, or pop it back in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain a bit of that caramelized texture.
For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, and thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Top Tip For Air Fryer Chicken Bites
Use an air fryer liner so the bourbon sauce stays on the chicken while it’s cooking. If you preheat the air fryer, wait to add the liner when you add the chicken. No burning liners here!
FAQ
Yes! You can substitute the bourbon with apple juice, chicken broth, or a mix of apple cider vinegar and water for a similar sweet-tangy flavor without the alcohol.
It’s best to thaw chicken before air frying for even cooking and better texture, but if using frozen, increase the cook time slightly and be sure to cut into uniform pieces once partially thawed
Yes, but in this particular recipe, you want the chicken in cook IN the sauce, so for the best flavor- use a liner in the air fryer.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Air Fryer Bourbon Chicken:
Air Fryer Bourbon Chicken
This Air Fryer Bourbon Chicken is a sweet, savory, takeout-style dish made effortlessly at home with bold flavor and a caramelized bourbon glaze.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup bourbon
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 6 Tbsps brown sugar
- 2 Tbsps ketchup
- 2 tsps garlic powder
- 2 tsps cornstarch
- 1 green onion stalk
- (optional-for garnish) 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds
- 1 package, quick-cooking Jasmine rice (any brand)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 380 degrees.
- Chop chicken breasts into small cubes.
- Place chicken in a small bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Prep air fryer with a liner (see photo).
- Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 5 minutes.
- While chicken is cooking, you can make the sauce. In a small saucepan, whisk together bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic powder, and cornstarch. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Flip chicken pieces over (for even cooking), and pour half of bourbon sauce on chicken. Use a pastry brush or spatula to spread sauce over all of the chicken pieces.
- Cook an additional 5-7 minutes in air fryer or until chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Heat rice in microwave. Add to a serving bowl.
- Use kitchen scissors or a knife to cut green onions into pieces.
- Move chicken to a serving dish. Top chicken with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve with rice and remaining bourbon sauce.
Notes
Top Tip
Use an air fryer liner so the bourbon sauce stays on the chicken while it's cooking. If you preheat the air fryer, wait to add the liner when you add the chicken. No burning liners here!
Equipment Needed
- Air Fryer- this one has stood the test of time
- Air Fryer Liners- make clean-up a breeze
- Microwave (you can also make traditional rice on the stovetop)
Storage
- Store leftover Air Fryer Bourbon Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To reheat, warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through, or pop it back in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain a bit of that caramelized texture.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 372Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 96mgSodium: 2209mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 1gSugar: 18gProtein: 39g
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