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This Mall Bourbon Chicken tastes just like the sweet, sticky chicken from the food court — tender bites of chicken coated in a rich, glossy sauce that’s better than takeout and so easy to make at home.

If you grew up anywhere near a mall in the 90s or early 2000s, you know exactly what this smells like.

That sweet, savory, sticky bourbon chicken smell that somehow floated across the entire food court and made you change your dinner plans immediately. I swear you could walk in planning to shop and walk out holding a styrofoam container of chicken and rice without even meaning to.

This Mall Bourbon Chicken is one of those recipes that brings that feeling right back, but in the best way, because now I can make it at home whenever we want it.

Dean absolutely loves this one. Anything that feels like “takeout food” but made at home is automatically a win with him. Sam loves it because it’s sweet and saucy (and he always asks for extra sauce over his rice). Van? He’s my texture kid, and this chicken is so tender and coated in that glossy glaze that he actually eats it without hesitation. That alone makes it a repeat dinner in my house. And Daniel always says it tastes even better than the mall version.

What I love most about this recipe is that it feels fun and nostalgic, but it’s made with simple pantry ingredients. No actual bourbon (just like the mall version), no complicated steps, no special tools. Just chicken, a sweet and savory sauce, and about 30 minutes from start to finish.

It’s one of those dinners that feels like a treat but still works on a regular weeknight. And honestly, anything that keeps me from loading everyone into the car for takeout is a win.

What Is Mall Bourbon Chicken?

Mall Bourbon Chicken is a sweet and savory glazed chicken dish inspired by the popular food court favorite. Despite the name, it usually doesn’t contain actual bourbon. The sauce is made with apple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, and vinegar, creating that signature sticky glaze.

It’s typically served over rice and sometimes topped with scallions or sesame seeds.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Tastes just like the mall food court version

• No actual alcohol needed

• Sweet, savory, and perfectly balanced

• Ready in about 30 minutes

• Family-friendly

• Makes amazing leftovers

When to Serve This Recipe

• Weeknight dinners

• When you’re craving takeout

• Friday night “fun dinner”

• Meal prep for the week

• When you want something nostalgic and comforting

You will want to make this dinner again and again! We do!

You will love this recipe because it is

• Easy and fast.
• Family-friendly.
• Budget-friendly.
• Full of flavor.
• Flavorful chicken dish.
• Easy weeknight meal.
• Great copycat.
• Wonderful recipe.
• Takeout favorite.
• Easy chicken recipe.
• Family favorite.

Substitutions

• Chicken thighs → chicken breasts (just don’t overcook)

• Apple juice → pineapple juice for a twist

• Brown sugar → honey

• Soy sauce → coconut aminos

• Apple cider vinegar → rice vinegar

Variations

• Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce

• Pineapple Bourbon Chicken: Add pineapple chunks

• Veggie Version: Add bell peppers or broccoli

• Slow Cooker Version: Combine everything except cornstarch and cook on LOW 4–5 hours, thicken at end

Tips & Tricks

• Don’t overcrowd the pan — cook chicken in batches if needed

• Let the sauce simmer long enough to reduce

• Taste before thickening and adjust sweetness or salt

• Use thighs for best texture

• Double the sauce if your family loves extra over rice

FAQs

Does this contain bourbon?
No, traditional mall-style bourbon chicken does not contain alcohol.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! It reheats beautifully.

Is it very sweet?
It’s sweet but balanced with soy sauce and vinegar.

Can I freeze it?
Yes, freeze in an airtight container up to 2 months.

Serving Ideas

• Serve over white rice

• Serve over fried rice

• Pair with steamed broccoli

• Add egg rolls on the side

• Serve in meal prep containers

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  Thighs stay juicy and tender.

• 1 tablespoon oil
  For sautéing the chicken.

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
  Fresh garlic gives the best flavor.

• 1 cup apple juice
  The base of the sweet glaze.

• ½ cup brown sugar
  Adds that signature mall sweetness.

• ¼ cup ketchup
  Adds tang and depth.

• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  Balances the sweetness.

• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  Keeps the sauce from being overly sweet.

• ½ teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
  Adds subtle warmth.

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 1 tablespoon cold water

• Sliced scallions and sesame seeds (optional garnish)

How to make this Mall Bourbon Chicken 

1. 1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

   2. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook for about 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.

   3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

   4. In a bowl, whisk together the apple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and ginger if using.

   5. Pour the sauce into the skillet with the chicken.

   6. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to medium-low.

   7. Let it cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reduces and thickens slightly.

   8. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and cold water until smooth.

   9. Stir the slurry into the skillet and cook for another 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze.

   10. Remove from heat and garnish with scallions or sesame seeds if desired.

   11. Serve over rice.

Storage and Make Ahead Tips

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days

• Reheat in microwave or stovetop

• Add a splash of water if sauce thickens too much

• Freeze up to 2 months

Mall Bourbon Chicken is one of those nostalgic recipes that just makes dinner fun again. It’s simple, flavorful, and guaranteed to be requested again, especially if you have kids who love saucy, sweet chicken like mine do.

And honestly? It tastes even better when you don’t have to fight for a table in the food court.

Continue to Content

Mall Bourbon Chicken

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

We love getting bourbon chicken from the mall but I wanted to make it at home and created this recipe for Mall Bourbon Chicken.  Now don’t be fooled this chicken doesn’t actually have any bourbon in it!  Tender chicken thighs are glazed in a sweet sauce of apple juice, brown sugar, garlic, ketchup, soy sauce and vinegar.  This is one of our favorite, quick weeknight dinners.  It is always a crowd pleaser!

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Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, sliced thin
• 1 cup apple juice
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• ⅔ cup ketchup
• Scallions and sesame seeds for garnish
• White rice and broccoli for serving

Instructions

1. In a large skillet over medium high heat add your chicken.
2. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and the liquid from the chicken has mostly evaporated. 
3. To the pan add your apple juice, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, vinegar, garlic, soy sauce and ketchup. 
4. Stir everything to combine and continue cooking over medium high heat until the sauce gets nice and thick and coats all the chicken. 
5. Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds.
6. Serve over white or fried rice with broccoli.

Notes

You can use chicken breasts or tenderloins if you prefer. 

If you want to use bourbon use ½ cup of bourbon and ½ cup apple juice. 

Cooking this until the sauce thickens is crucial, the apple juice and brown sugar will help with the sauce thickening and getting caramelized. 

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 629Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 208mgSodium: 1123mgCarbohydrates: 78gFiber: 2gSugar: 59gProtein: 45g

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