Keto Bourbon Chicken Recipe with Cauliflower Rice 🍛

Looking for a tasty, low-carb meal? Check out our Keto Bourbon Chicken! This dish takes a cue from a New Orleans classic but spins it in a new way. Think tender chicken thighs, rich bourbon sauce, and instead of the usual rice, we’re going with cauliflower rice. Let’s whip up this mouthwatering meal!

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Preparation and cooking overview

Get ready to dig into this delicious chicken recipe in just 35 minutes. Start by searing the chicken thighs until they’re beautifully golden. Next, drench them in a tasty bourbon sauce. As they simmer, transform your cauliflower florets into “rice” with a quick sauté. In no time, you’ll have a scrumptious keto meal ready to hit the table!

Chef’s note

To amp up the taste, let the chicken sit in the bourbon sauce for 30 minutes to an hour before you start cooking. Kick the flavor up a notch by tossing in some spices like cayenne pepper, garlic powder, or black pepper.

If you’ve got a hankering for chicken dishes, you’ve landed in the perfect spot! From grilled to baked, spicy to sweet, our collection of chicken recipes offers something for every palate. Dive in and find your next meal inspiration.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 Minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
Recipe Makes 4 Servings

🍛 Ingredients for this keto bourbon chicken recipe

Here’s a list of all the ingredients you’ll need to prepare the low-carb bourbon chicken at home:

For the chicken

1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon avocado oil
¼ cup soy sauce
¼ cup bourbon
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons erythritol or your preferred keto-friendly sweetener
1 teaspoon grated ginger
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)

For the cauliflower rice

1 medium head of cauliflower
1 tablespoon olive oil
Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces, cauliflower head, ginger, spices, and other ingredients arranged and displayed on the table.

Ingredient substitutions

If you see something on the ingredient list that you’d rather skip, here are some keto-friendly substitutions you can make:

Boneless skinless chicken thighs: If you want a leaner option, substitute the chicken thighs with skinless chicken breasts.
Soy sauce: Use an equal amount of coconut aminos or tamari instead of soy sauce.
Apple cider vinegar: Replace apple cider vinegar with red wine vinegar for a tangy flavor.
Red pepper flakes: Swap red pepper flakes with chili powder or cayenne pepper. Start with a small amount and add more gradually.

Additional ingredients

Add more flavors to your dish with these optional ingredients:

Chopped fresh herbs: Toss some fresh parsley, cilantro, or chives on top of your bourbon chicken for a burst of freshness.
Sesame seeds: Sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Chopped green onions: Sprinkle some freshly chopped green onions over the dish as a garnish.
Fresh garlic clove: Add a clove of minced garlic to the bourbon sauce for a deeper flavor.

A close-up shot of chicken glazed with bourbon sauce in a red serving dish and garnished with green herbs.

Cooking tools required

To make this keto bourbon chicken recipe, you’ll need the following tools:

Measuring spoons and cups
Cutting board
Knife
Mixing bowl
Whisk
Cast-iron skillet (x2)
Spatula

Tools substitute options

Whisk: Use a fork to blend the bourbon sauce ingredients if you don’t have a whisk handy.
Cast-iron skillet: If you don’t have a large cast-iron skillet, use a deep frying pan, wok, or a Dutch oven.

Homemade bourbon chicken over cauliflower rice in a red serving dish, garnished with cilantro and red tomatoes.

How to make Keto Bourbon Chicken: step-by-step guide

Cooking methods

Pan-searing
Simmering
Sautéeing

Preparation steps

Gather and measure all your ingredients.
Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
Grate fresh ginger.
Wash a medium-head cauliflower and pat dry with a paper towel.

Cooking instructions

Prepare the bourbon sauce

In a mixing bowl, whisk the soy sauce, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, water, sweetener, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). Set aside.

Sprinkling red pepper flakes in a small blow with a mix of sauces for the bourbon sauce.

Make the bourbon chicken

Heat avocado oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
Pour the bourbon sauce mixture over the chicken and stir until it’s well-coated.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10-12 minutes until the chicken is cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly.

Cook the cauliflower rice

While the chicken is simmering, prepare the cauliflower rice.
Cut the cauliflower into florets and chop them into small pieces until you get rice-like grains. Alternatively, pulse the cauliflower florets in a food processor.
Heat oil in a separate skillet over medium heat. Add the cauliflower rice and sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender. Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste.
Place the cauliflower rice on a serving plate and serve the bourbon chicken over it.

Chef’s pro tip

Use a meat thermometer to make sure your chicken is just right. You’re aiming for an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Once it hits that sweet spot, let your bourbon chicken rest in the skillet for a few minutes before serving. This extra time lets the flavors really come together and makes your meal even tastier.

What to serve with bourbon chicken?

We love to pair our bourbon chicken with cauliflower rice. But if you want more side ideas, here are some suggestions:

Mediterranean Asparagus: Serve the hearty bourbon chicken with roasted asparagus for a fresh, crunchy texture.
Oven-Roasted Brussels Sprouts: The nutty Brussels sprouts pair well with your bourbon chicken.
Grilled Vegetables: Pair the chicken dish with a medley of roasted vegetables to add more veggies to your low-carb diet.
Avocado and Egg Salad: Serve the chicken with a side of avocado and egg salad for a creamy and refreshing meal.

Low-carb bourbon chicken on a bed of cauliflower rice in a red serving dish, garnished with cilantro and red tomatoes.

How to make it healthier?

Buy organic chicken and vegetables if available in your local market.
Opt for low-sodium soy sauce or tamari to reduce the overall salt content of the dish.

Time-saving tips

Use pre-packaged cauliflower rice instead of making it from scratch.
If you make cauliflower rice, use a food processor to speed up the preparation process.

Homemade bourbon chicken is served over cauliflower rice and topped with red tomatoes and cilantro.

What can I prepare ahead of time?

Bourbon chicken sauce: Whisk together the sauce and keep it refrigerated in an airtight container until you’re ready to cook.
Cauliflower rice: Prepare the cauliflower rice and store it in the fridge. It’ll remain fresh for 3-4 days.

Storage and reheating instructions

Storage tips

Room temperature: Before you store it away, let the bourbon chicken and cauliflower rice cool down to room temperature.
Fridge: Transfer the chicken and cauliflower rice to separate airtight containers and store them in the fridge. They’ll remain delicious for up to 3-4 days.

Best reheating practices

Bourbon chicken

Microwave: Place a portion of the bourbon chicken in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid and heat on high for 1-2 minutes.
Stovetop: Heat a non-stick skillet or pan over medium heat. Add a bit of oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the leftover bourbon chicken rice in the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated.
Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the bourbon chicken to an oven-safe dish or baking sheet. Cover with foil to prevent it from drying out, and place it in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes.

Note: If the dish seems a bit dry when you reheat it, just add a splash of water, chicken broth, or a bit more sauce to bring back the moisture.

Cauliflower rice

Microwave: Place your leftover cauliflower rice in a microwave-safe dish, cover it with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a vent, and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes. Be cautious not to overheat.
Stovetop: Heat a skillet over medium heat, add a bit of oil or cooking spray, and sauté the leftover cauliflower rice while stirring occasionally for about 5-7 minutes until it’s heated through.

Recipe wrap-up and conclusion

This Keto Bourbon Chicken served with cauliflower rice is a flavorful addition to your keto menu. Perfect for a fast lunch or a comforting dinner, it’s a dish that promises both taste and convenience.

Try this recipe the next time you’re thinking of a chicken dish. The combination of juicy chicken and rich bourbon sauce, paired with light cauliflower rice, is bound to be a hit!

Hungry for more chicken dishes? Check out these other tasty options:

Low-carb chicken glazed with bourbon sauce in a red serving dish and garnished with cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs.

Frequently asked questions

The carbs in bourbon chicken range between 5-8 grams of net carbs per serving. The exact number of carbs depends on the ingredients you use and the portion size.

Traditional bourbon chicken may not be keto-friendly due to added sugars and other high-carb ingredients. But this specific recipe uses keto-friendly ingredients, making it a great keto diet option.

You don’t need expensive bourbon for this dish. A regular one you’d use for mixing cocktails will work fine.

To make the bourbon sauce thick, make a slurry by mixing a teaspoon of xanthan gum with some water. Slowly whisk this slurry into the simmering sauce until you reach the desired consistency.

Wash and cut a cauliflower head into florets. Pulse them in a food processor until they look like rice grains. If you don’t have a food processor, grate the florets. Next, sauté in a skillet with olive oil, salt, and pepper for 5-7 minutes.

📖 Recipe

Keto Bourbon Chicken

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Enjoy our tasty Keto Bourbon Chicken – a flavorful twist on New Orleans cuisine featuring tender chicken, yummy bourbon sauce, and cauliflower rice for a low-carb treat!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Bourbon Chicken

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Servings

Calories 283kcal