Bourbon Chicken with Broccoli

Ingredients

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tbsp olive oil (or vegetable oil)

2 cups broccoli florets (steamed or blanched until crisp-tender)

1/4 cup bourbon (optional)

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (for thickening)

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Sesame seeds (for garnish)

Directions

Cook the Chicken:

Season chicken pieces with a pinch of salt and pepper. In a large skillet or wok, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden and fully cooked, about 5-6 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Make the Sauce:

In the same skillet, carefully add bourbon (if using) and cook for 1-2 minutes until it reduces slightly. Then, add soy sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, garlic powder, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine.

Thicken the Sauce:

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water until smooth. Pour into the skillet and stir well. Let the sauce cook and thicken, about 2-3 minutes.

Combine Chicken and Broccoli:

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce. Add the steamed broccoli and stir until well combined and heated through.

Serve and Garnish:

Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Serve warm with rice or noodles for a complete meal!