Golden Corral is a go-to for buffet lovers, offering a wide array of comfort foods. Among their many dishes, the Bourbon Street Chicken stands out. Its irresistible blend of sweet and savory flavors keeps people coming back for more. If you crave that distinctive taste but prefer to dine at home, this copycat recipe is your answer. It brings the magic of Golden Corral’s Bourbon Street Chicken straight to your kitchen with simple ingredients and minimal effort.
Golden Corral Bourbon Street Chicken Copycat recipe promises sweet, sticky, salty, and yummy flavors in your home kitchen.
Why This Bourbon Street Chicken Recipe Works
This recipe captures the essence of the beloved Golden Corral dish. What makes it so good?
- Flavor Balance: It perfectly balances sweet and savory notes, creating a complex and satisfying taste. The brown sugar bourbon seasoning is key to achieving that signature flavor profile.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of these ingredients in your pantry already. The recipe relies on readily available items like teriyaki sauce, honey, and a special bourbon seasoning.
- Quick Cooking Time: In under 20 minutes, you can have a delicious and flavorful chicken dish ready to serve. Perfect for busy weeknights!
- Family-Friendly: The sweet and savory glaze appeals to all ages, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for family dinners.
- Versatile: Serve it over rice, noodles, or alongside your favorite side dishes for a complete meal.
Ingredients for Bourbon Street Chicken
Here’s what you’ll need to recreate this Golden Corral favorite:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Chicken thighs are recommended for their juiciness and flavor, but boneless chicken breasts can also be used if preferred. Cut into thin strips for quicker cooking and better sauce absorption.
- 3 teaspoons brown sugar bourbon seasoning: This is the star ingredient! It provides the signature bourbon street flavor. You can find this seasoning online or in some grocery stores. If unavailable, you can try a blend of brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a hint of cinnamon as a substitute, though the flavor profile might slightly differ.
- 1 1/2 cups teriyaki sauce: Use your favorite brand of teriyaki sauce. Kikkoman is a widely available and reliable option. For a richer flavor, consider using a dark soy sauce-based teriyaki.
- 1/4 cup honey: Honey adds sweetness and helps create a beautiful, sticky glaze.
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch: This is used to thicken the glaze, ensuring it coats the chicken perfectly.
- 2 tablespoons cold water: To create a cornstarch slurry, preventing lumps in the glaze.
Close-up of the ingredients for Golden Corral Bourbon Street Chicken recipe, including chicken, bourbon seasoning, and teriyaki sauce.
Step-by-Step Bourbon Street Chicken Recipe
Follow these simple instructions to make your own Bourbon Street Chicken at home:
- Prepare the Chicken: Rinse the chicken strips and pat them dry with paper towels. Place them in a wide pan or dish.
- Make the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup of teriyaki sauce and 2 teaspoons of brown sugar bourbon seasoning until the seasoning is dissolved.
- Marinate the Chicken: Pour the marinade over the chicken strips, ensuring they are evenly coated. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator overnight, or for at least 4 hours for maximum flavor. Draining the chicken before cooking is important to prevent excess liquid in the pan.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a stovetop grill pan or a wide, thick-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding the pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1 teaspoon of bourbon seasoning over the chicken while cooking.
- Cook Thoroughly: Cook, stirring regularly, until the chicken is lightly browned and cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Prepare the Glaze: While the chicken is cooking, make the glaze. In a saucepan, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of teriyaki sauce and honey. Stir well to blend. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Thicken the Glaze: In a separate small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in cold water to create a slurry. Add the cornstarch slurry to the simmering teriyaki sauce mixture, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Cook, stirring regularly, for about 1 to 2 minutes, or until the glaze slightly thickens and is heated through.
- Combine and Serve: Transfer the cooked chicken to a serving platter. Pour the hot teriyaki glaze over the chicken just before serving, coating it generously. Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Bourbon Street Chicken
- Marinating Time: Don’t skip the marinating step! It’s crucial for infusing the chicken with flavor and tenderizing it. Overnight marinating is best, but even a few hours will make a difference.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Overcrowding will steam the chicken instead of searing it, preventing browning and affecting the texture.
- Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet glaze, reduce the amount of honey slightly.
- Spice it Up: For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade or glaze.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve Bourbon Street Chicken over steamed white rice, brown rice, or quinoa. It’s also delicious with noodles or alongside roasted vegetables like broccoli or green beans.
Nutrition Information
Per Serving (approx. 146g):
- Calories: 265kcal
- Carbohydrates: 11.8g
- Protein: 33.9g
- Fat: 8.4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.3g
- Cholesterol: 101mg
- Sodium: 998mg
- Potassium: 322mg
- Sugar: 11.2g
- Vitamin A: 50IU
- Calcium: 20mg
- Iron: 1.8mg
Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.
Enjoy making this delicious Golden Corral Bourbon Street Chicken copycat at home. It’s a guaranteed family favorite that’s both easy to make and incredibly flavorful!
