Bourbon Chicken

 

• 4 tablespoons canola oil
• 5 boneless chicken breasts
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch (2 for velveting and 1 for thickening at the end)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons minced refrigerated garlic
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup apple juice
• ¼ cup bourbon
• ½ cup chicken broth (or ½ cup water and 1 chicken bouillon cube)
• 2/3 cup lower sodium soy sauce
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup of uncooked rice, cooked (optional)

1. Cut the chicken in 1-inch pieces.
2. In a large non-stick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil until a drop of water sizzles.
3. Add salt and pepper to 2 tablespoons of the cornstarch and mix. 
4. Add half that mixture into a container suitable for shaking.
5. Add half the chicken into the container and shake.
6. On medium heat, fry the chicken for 3 minutes.  Turn and fry chicken for 3 more minutes.
7. Remove chicken and set aside.
8. Repeat the procedure with the rest of the oil, cornstarch, salt and pepper mixture, and remaining chicken. 
9. Remove the chicken and set aside.
10. Add garlic, stir and saute for approximately 30 seconds, being careful not to burn the garlic.
11. Add the rest of the ingredients except for the remaining cornstarch.
12. Stir constantly until the sauce comes to a boil. 
13. Add the chicken back in and cook until the sauce reduces to about half the volume it was originally.  Stir often.
14. Make a slurry out of the remaining tablespoon of cornstarch and a tablespoon of water. 
15. Add to the mixture and stir constantly until you like the consistency.
16. Serve as is, or on a bed of rice.  Enjoy.