This Golden Corral Bourbon Street Chicken copycat recipe is sweet, savory, and full of bold flavor, just like the restaurant favorite. Marinated chicken thighs are cooked until tender and coated in a sticky, garlicky glaze. It’s a quick and easy dish perfect for serving over rice or veggies.
Bring the bold, crave-worthy flavors of Golden Corral right to your kitchen with this easy Bourbon Street Chicken copycat recipe! With its sweet and savory marinade, tender chicken, and sticky glaze, this dish tastes just like the restaurant favorite—if not better.
It’s perfect for meal prep or a quick weeknight dinner, and pairs beautifully with steamed rice or veggies.
5 Reasons Why You Will Love This Recipe!
1️⃣ 🍯 Sweet & Savory Flavor – The perfect balance of brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic gives every bite a rich, bold taste.
2️⃣ ⏱️ Quick & Easy – Minimal prep and simple steps make this recipe weeknight-friendly.
3️⃣ 💰 Budget-Friendly – Uses affordable ingredients you probably already have at home.
4️⃣ 🍚 Perfect Pairing – Tastes amazing over rice, noodles, or even in lettuce wraps.
5️⃣ 🍽️ Family Favorite – A guaranteed hit with both kids and adults—no leftovers in sight!
Ingredients Needed For Golden Corral Bourbon Street Chicken Copycat
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs – Juicy, tender cuts perfect for bold flavor
- Soy sauce – Adds deep, savory umami richness to sauce
- Brown sugar – Sweetens and caramelizes for a sticky glaze
- Garlic cloves (minced) – Brings fresh, aromatic depth and punch
- Ground ginger – Adds warmth and slight zing to marinade
- Crushed red pepper flakes – Optional heat for a little kick
- Apple juice or apple cider – Balances the sauce with fruity sweetness
- Olive oil – Helps sear and keep chicken juicy
- Cornstarch (optional) – Thickens the sauce into a glossy finish
How To Make Golden Corral Bourbon Street Chicken Copycat Recipe
1️⃣ Make the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, apple juice, minced garlic, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes. Add boneless, skinless chicken thighs and toss to coat. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (up to overnight for best flavor). 🥣
2️⃣ Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3–5 minutes. This helps the chicken cook evenly and get a nice sear. 🔥
3️⃣ Cook the Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade and place in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 380°F for 14–16 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. 🍽️
4️⃣ Thicken the Sauce (Optional): While the chicken cooks, pour the leftover marinade into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5–7 minutes. For a thicker glaze, stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water) and simmer until glossy. 🍯
5️⃣ Serve and Enjoy: Slice the air-fried chicken and drizzle with the thickened sauce. Serve over rice, noodles, or your favorite veggies for a sweet and savory meal. 🍚🌶️
Golden Corral Bourbon Street Chicken Copycat Recipe Tips 🍗💡
✅ Marinate Longer for More Flavor – Let the chicken marinate overnight if you can for deeper, richer taste. ⏳🍯
✅ Use Thighs for Juiciness – Boneless skinless chicken thighs stay tender and juicy, perfect for soaking up the glaze. 🥩👌
✅ Don’t Skip the Sauce – Simmer the leftover marinade into a sticky glaze—it’s the secret to that signature restaurant-style finish! 🍯🔥
✅ Flip Halfway in Air Fryer – Flipping helps the chicken cook evenly and gives it that beautiful caramelized edge. 🔄🍗
✅ Garnish for Extra Flavor – Add sliced green onions or sesame seeds on top for a finishing touch and extra flavor. 🌿✨
Storing, Freezing & Reheating
- Storing 🍱: Store leftover Bourbon Street Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Let it cool completely before sealing to keep it fresh and flavorful. ❄️🥡
- Freezing 🧊: Freeze cooked and cooled chicken in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. 🗃️🐔
- Reheating 🔥: Reheat in the microwave or a skillet over low heat until warmed through. Add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if needed. ♨️🍽️
What To Serve With Golden Corral Bourbon Chicken Recipe
Golden Corral Bourbon Street Chicken is rich, sweet, and savory, making it perfect to pair with simple, comforting sides. Serve it over fluffy white rice, jasmine rice, or fried rice to soak up the flavorful glaze.
Steamed broccoli, sautéed green beans, or roasted vegetables add freshness and balance to the meal. For a heartier option, try it alongside garlic noodles, lo mein, or even mashed potatoes. Want to keep it light? Wrap the chicken in crisp lettuce leaves for a low-carb twist!
Copycat Golden Corral Bourbon Chicken Recipe Faqs
❓ Does this recipe actually have bourbon in it? Nope! Despite the name, there’s no alcohol—just bold, sweet, and savory flavor. 🥃🚫
❓ Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs? Yes! Chicken breasts work, but thighs stay juicier and more flavorful. 🐔✨
❓ How long should I marinate the chicken? Marinate for at least 30 minutes, but overnight gives the best flavor. ⏰🍯
❓ Can I make this in advance? Absolutely! Cook the chicken ahead of time and reheat when ready to serve. 🥡🔥
❓ What sides go best with it? Rice, noodles, steamed veggies, or even lettuce wraps are all great choices! 🍚🥦🥢
More Copycat Golden Corral Recipes
- Golden Corral Meatloaf Recipe
- Air Fryer Moose Munch Caramel Popcorn Recipe
- Air Fryer Cabbage Chips
- EASY Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf Recipe
- Air Fryer Popeyes Fried Chicken Recipe
- Air Fryer Meat Pies
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Home Fries
- Air Fryer Breakfast Egg Tarts
- Air Fryer Copycat Starbucks Vanilla Bean Scones
Don’t Forget To Pin!
Share Your Creations! Are you active on Facebook? Join our Air Fryer Recipes Group, where hundreds of thousands of Air Fryer enthusiasts gather and share your photos! I’m always thrilled to see what you’ve made. For those on Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @forktospoon – I can’t wait to admire your culinary adventures!
Golden Corral Bourbon Street Chicken Copycat
Description
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, or boneless skinless chicken breast
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup apple juice, or apple cider
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch, + 1 tablespoon water, optional, for thickening sauce
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, apple juice, garlic, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes. Add chicken thighs and toss to coat. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for best results.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 3–5 minutes. Remove chicken from the marinade and place in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 14–16 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
- While the chicken cooks, pour the leftover marinade into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5–7 minutes. To thicken, stir in a cornstarch slurry and simmer until glossy.
- Slice the chicken and drizzle with the sticky glaze. Serve over rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables. Garnish with sliced green onions if desired.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
Share this recipe
We can’t wait to see what you’ve made! Mention @forktospoon or tag #forktospoon!
