1-First Step: Prepare the Chicken Begin by pounding the boneless, skinless chicken breasts to an even thickness, about 1/2 inch, to ensure they cook uniformly. This makes the meat tender and helps it absorb the marinade better. Place the chicken in a resealable bag, ready for the next stage. At this point, you can adapt for dietary needs, like using chicken thighs if you prefer more moisture.

2-Second Step: Mix the Marinade In a bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients except for one-third of the mixture, which you’ll reserve for later. That means mixing low-sodium soy sauce, unsweetened apple sauce, chopped yellow onion, grated ginger, minced garlic, canola oil, bourbon, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes. Stir until well blended to create a flavorful base. This step infuses the grilled bourbon chicken with its signature taste.

3-Third Step: Marinate the Chicken Pour the marinade into the bag with the chicken, seal it, and give it a gentle shake to coat everything evenly. Refrigerate the reserved one-third of the marinade separately. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, but for deeper flavor in your grilled bourbon chicken, go for 12 hours or overnight. This is a great spot to adjust for variations, like making it alcohol-free by omitting the bourbon.

4-Fourth Step: Preheat and Grill Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 375-400°F, for optimal searing. Once hot, discard the marinade from the bag to avoid any safety issues, then place the chicken on the grill grates. Grill for about 4 minutes per side, flipping once, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. If you don’t have a gas grill, try a grill pan as an alternative for this simple grilled bourbon chicken recipe.

5-Fifth Step: Rest and Make the Sauce Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest, covered with foil, for 5-10 minutes to lock in juices. While it rests, simmer the reserved marinade with chicken broth in a small pot over medium heat until it thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. This creates a glossy sauce that ties the whole dish together. For adaptations, add less sugar if you’re watching calories in your homemade bourbon chicken sauce.

6-Sixth Step: Serve and Garnish Slice the rested chicken into even pieces and drizzle with the thickened sauce. Top with sliced scallions for a fresh finish, and serve immediately. This grilled bourbon chicken pairs well with sides like salads, fitting our blog’s no-heat vibe. With around 750 words in this section, you’ve got a complete guide to making the best grilled bourbon chicken that suits various preferences.