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This bourbon chicken is the perfect food court copycat! It’s a healthy take on the classic that’s paleo, AIP, and gluten-free.

Bourbon Chicken

What is bourbon chicken?

I’ll also associate bourbon chicken with mall food courts! I remember walking by employees giving out samples on toothpicks, and it was always so yummy!

Bourbon chicken actually originates in New Orleans, Bourbon Street to be specific, and can often be found in Asian and Cajun restaurants, and of course food courts as well. It’s traditionally made with cornstarch, ketchup, soy sauce, and sugar. This version is made with paleo, whole30, AIP, and gluten-free ingredients to make a healthier alternative!

Bourbon Chicken

 How to make homemade paleo Bourbon chicken

  • Prep the sauce: Using a small bowl, whisk the ketchup, coconut aminos, broth, apple juice, vinegar, and arrowroot starch together. Set aside.
  • Cook the chicken: Heat the avocado oil over medium heat in a large deep pan. Add the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until the chicken is cooked through and reads an internal temperature of 165 F. Set aside.
  • Cook the sauce & combine: Add the garlic and ginger to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes. Pour the sauce into the pan and stir well. Bring to a low simmer and add the chicken back to the pan. Stir to coat in the sauce and simmer for 1-2 minutes. The sauce should be thickened and the chicken coated.

Wait, so there’s no bourbon in bourbon chicken?

No, there doesn’t have to be! Yes, there can be and things like alcoholic beverages do add a lot of richness to recipes, but I certainly did not use it and didn’t miss it!

What can you serve this bourbon chicken with?

This bourbon chicken tastes great with Asain inspired side dishes such as…

The Ingredients for This Recipe

Chicken breast

I have not tried this with chicken thigh, but it should work!

Coconut aminos

Coconut aminos is a soy sauce alternative and be found online or in health stores.

Apple juice

Apple juice or pineapple juice is often used as a sweetener in bourbon chicken. Be sure to use something without added sugar!

Ketchup

Using compliant ketchup adds so much flavor and depth to this chicken!

AIP compliant ketchup-

Whole30 compliant ketchup-

Bourbon Chicken

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Bourbon Chicken

★★★★★

5 from 4 reviews
  • Author: Michelle
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 5 servings 1x
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Description

This bourbon chicken is the perfect food court copycat! It’s a healthy take on the classic that’s paleo, AIP, and gluten-free.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/3 cup compliant ketchup (see notes)
  • 1/3 cup coconut aminos
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp apple juice
  • 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp arrowroot starch
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1.5 lb chicken breast, cubed
  • 3/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper (omit for AIP)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 tbsp green onion, chopped

Instructions

  1. Using a small bowl, whisk the ketchup, coconut aminos, broth, apple juice, vinegar, and arrowroot starch together. Set aside.
  2. Heat the avocado oil over medium heat in a large deep pan. Add the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until the chicken is cooked through and reads an internal temperature of 165 F. Set aside.
  3. Add the garlic and ginger to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Pour the sauce into the pan and stir well. Bring to a low simmer and add the chicken back to the pan. Stir to coat in the sauce and simmer for 1-2 minutes. The sauce should be thickened and the chicken coated.
  5. Serve warm topped with green onion.

Notes

For AIP compliant ketchup consider the AIP ketchup in my cookbook, the Autoimmune Protocol Comfort Food Cookbook, Beet ketchup or KC naturals ketchup.For whole 30 compliant ketchup, use Primal Kitchen Ketchup or Homemade whole30 ketchup.

All nutritional information are estimations and will vary. Estimations do not include optional ingredients.

  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Category: Main dishes
  • Method: Stove top

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 263
  • Fat: 9.2g
  • Carbohydrates: 12.4g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 30.7g

Keywords: Bourbon chicken