Applebee’s Bourbon Street Chicken and Shrimp Copycat Recipe

Whether it’s the Cajun aroma mixed with buttery garlic and smoky bourbon sauce, or the sizzling skillet that draws nearby tables’ eyes, the Applebee’s Bourbon Street Chicken and Shrimp is a dish that’ll make you hungry before the plate even hits the table. And it’s one you’ll be craving long after you’ve finished eating it.

The combination itself sounds simple enough: seasoned chicken, tender shrimp, garlic butter, and a sweet bourbon glaze, but somehow Applebee’s turns those basic ingredients into something seriously addictive. The chicken is juicy with just the right amount of Cajun spice, the shrimp are coated in buttery flavor, and the sauce ties everything together with a slightly smoky sweetness that tastes like comfort food with a little Southern flair.

The good news is you don’t need to wait for your next restaurant visit to enjoy it. This homemade copycat version captures everything people love about the original while making it easy and accessible to recreate right at home. Plus, one of the great things about making it at home is that you can achieve fresher flavor at a fraction of the cost of dining out.

One of the secrets to recreating this Bourbon Street chicken and shrimp is building layers of flavor instead of rushing through the cooking process. From the bold Cajun seasoning to the rich garlic butter and the sweet bourbon sauce, this recipe incorporates flavors and textures in each step to bring an unforgettable dinner to the table.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to make Applebee’s Bourbon Street chicken and shrimp at home step by step, to make it taste as if it came straight from a restaurant kitchen.

Why Everyone Loves Applebee’s Bourbon Street Chicken and Shrimp

Applebee’s Bourbon Street Chicken and Shrimp has become one of those restaurant meals people order almost instinctively because it checks every box comfort food lovers want in a dinner. It’s rich without being too heavy, spicy without being too hot, and packed with bold flavors in every bite. The dish feels indulgent, but it’s really a simple balance of proteins and flavor that has made it one of the restaurant’s most recognizable menu items for years.

Part of the appeal comes from the sizzling presentation. There’s something about hearing a hot skillet crackle as it arrives at the table that makes the meal feel more exciting. Before you even take a bite, the aroma of Cajun spices, garlic butter, grilled chicken, and bourbon sauce fills the air. That experience creates anticipation and makes the dish memorable long before you even taste it.

But what’s most important and most loved about this dish is that flavor combination and texture contrast. It brings together juicy chicken and tender shrimp with smoky and savory heat with a buttery garlic finish that makes each bite taste balanced and satisfying. It’s the kind of meal that’s easy to crave and even easier to make part of a regular dinner rotation.

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Applebee's bourbon chicken and shrimp recipe is a favorite for people who love bold, sizzling flavors.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Course: Dinner/Lunch

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch cubes
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ cup apple juice or cider
• ¼ tsp fresh ginger, grated
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper
• ⅓ cup light brown sugar
• ⅓ cup soy sauce
• ½ cup cold water
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• ½ cup bourbon
• 2-3 tbsp Cajun seasoning

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, season the diced chicken with your preferred Cajun spice. Set aside.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the cinnamon, ground cloves, apple juice/cider, grated ginger, minced garlic, dry crushed red pepper, light brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, water, vinegar, and bourbon in a bowl. This will be your bourbon sauce. Set aside.
• In a large cast-iron or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp of butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until it turns light golden.
• Add the shrimp and saute for 3-5 minutes, until they are no longer pink. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside in a bowl or plate.
• To the same skillet used for the shrimp, turn the heat to high and heat the olive oil. Cook the seasoned chicken for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to brown on all sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• To the skillet, add the bourbon sauce and bring to a simmer. Let the sauce simmer for about 5-10 minutes, until it has reduced by about 1/2, stirring occasionally.
• After about 5 minutes, add the chicken back to the pan and stir to evenly coat. Let the chicken cook for about 5 more minutes, or until cooked through.
• In the final minute of cooking, add the shrimp back to the pan and toss to coat with the sauce.
• Remove from the heat and serve over rice or with your favorite sides.

Notes

• You can use chicken thighs for a tastier and more tender result.
• A quick sear gives a fried taste without deep frying.
• Serve with white rice to soak up the delicious bourbon chicken sauce.

Expert Tips for the Best Flavor

Making your Bourbon chicken at home couldn’t be simpler, and sticking to the recipe above will give you the best flavor. But here are a few tips used by home cooks and professional cooks alike to improve the flavor, texture, and overall quality of the finished dish.

Season in Advance

One of the most important tips is to properly season the chicken before cooking. Instead of sprinkling seasoning on immediately before it hits the pan, allow the chicken to sit with the Cajun seasoning beforehand. This should be the first step in this recipe, which gives the chicken time to warm to room temperature (allowing it to cook more evenly) and lets the Cajun seasoning infuse into the chicken, giving it a deeper flavor throughout.

Use High Heat

Using high heat is another critical factor for achieving that signature restaurant flavor. That smoky quality doesn’t come only from a bourbon sauce; it comes from cooking the chicken over high heat to help create a deep golden crust. A cast-iron skillet works especially well for this because it retains heat evenly and creates that smoky char on the chicken.

Avoid moving the chicken around too early; letting it sit undisturbed allows caramelization (that golden crust) to happen naturally.

Avoid Overcooking the Shrimp

Shrimp cook extremely quickly, usually within two to three minutes per side, depending on the size of the shrimp. Overcooked shrimp become rubbery and lose that buttery, tender texture that works so well in this recipe.

The key is to pay more attention to their color than to time. The moment they turn pink and opaque, they should be removed from the heat. The time it takes depends on the size of the shrimp, but it is often just a few minutes of cooking.

Simmer the Sauce

The bourbon sauce benefits from patience. Instead of rushing the sauce-making process, let it simmer gently so the flavors can reduce and concentrate. This helps the brown sugar caramelize and deepen the sauce’s flavor. A rushed sauce often tastes thin or overly sweet, rather than rich and balanced.

Pair the Dish

Don’t underestimate the presentation of this dish. Serving the dish hot over creamy mashed potatoes or steaming white rice creates that same comforting, restaurant-style experience that makes the original version so loved. The aroma, textures, and tastes all contribute to how flavorful the dish feels overall.

The difference between a decent homemade version and a cravable, unforgettable one comes down to these small details.

Easy Ingredient Substitutions

Even if you’re missing certain ingredients or want to adapt the dish to fit dietary preferences, there are plenty of easy substitutions that still deliver excellent flavor. Here are some simple swaps that you can try to make this recipe fit seamlessly into your routine.

Chicken Breast

Chicken breasts are commonly used to make bourbon chicken recipes, but chicken thighs are an excellent substitute if you prefer juicier meat. Thighs tend to stay moister and develop a deeper flavor due to their higher fat content.

Shrimp

Shrimp sizes can vary depending on what’s available to you. Large or medium, fresh shrimp create a more restaurant-style taste and feel. Frozen shrimp can also work as long as they are thawed before cooking.

Tip: If using frozen shrimp, after thawing, be sure to pat them dry before cooking to achieve a better sauté texture and avoid watering down the dish.

Cajun Seasoning

If you don’t have Cajun seasoning, you can easily make your own blend at home. Homemade seasoning blends also give you more control over spice levels and sodium content. Check out the recipe in the next section to make your own Cajun seasoning at home in just 5 minutes.

Bourbon

Bourbon can be substituted in a few different ways depending on your needs. If you prefer not to cook with alcohol, omit the bourbon and replace it with more apple juice or apple cider for the best substitute. You can also swap it with chicken broth if you have it on hand. While it won’t taste exactly the same, the overall flavor profile will still feel rich and delicious!

Butter

Butter substitutes can also work if needed. Olive oil provides a lighter option, while plant-based butter can help make this recipe dairy-free. However, real butter delivers the richest flavor.

Soy Sauce

Soy sauce can be swapped with coconut aminos for a gluten-free alternative. Coconut aminos are less salty than traditional soy sauce, so if making this swap, always taste the sauce as you cook and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Recipe Variations You Can Try

Making this recipe at home allows you to customize it in ways restaurants typically can’t. Once you understand the base flavors of Cajun seasoning, garlic butter, and bourbon glaze, you can put your own spin on the dish while still keeping the original flavor profile intact.

• Spice It Up: A spicier Cajun version is an easy and popular variation. Add extra crushed red pepper flakes, a dash of your favorite hot sauce, or use this Hot Cajun Seasoning Blend.
• A Creamier Version: For a richer, creamier sauce that pairs especially well with mashed potatoes, stir in up to 1/4 cup of heavy cream into the simmering bourbon sauce for a Cajun Alfredo-style meal.
• Seafood Lovers: Increase the amount of shrimp, or add scallops, for a more seafood-focused spin on this recipe.
• Meatless Option: This can easily be made meatless by swapping the chicken for extra shrimp or tofu. Seasoned, stir-fried tofu is a delicious substitute that soaks up all the flavors of the delicious bourbon sauce.
• Keto-Friendly: A keto-friendly variation is also easy to make by replacing brown sugar with low-carb sweeteners and serving the dish over cauliflower mash or roasted vegetables instead of potatoes or rice.

The core flavor combination of this dish is strong enough to support endless experimentation. Whether you prefer extra heat, more sweetness, lower carbs, or creamier sauces, it’s easy to adapt this recipe to what you love. Have fun with it and let us know your favorite take on this recipe in the comments below!

Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp FAQs

Making a copycat recipe at home can raise a few questions, so here are the most common reader questions, answered to help you cook with ease!

How Spicy is Bourbon Street Chicken and Shrimp?

The spice level of this recipe is considered moderate to most. It’s not extremely hot, but it has a spicy kick. Cajun seasoning is what gives that heat, so if you are sensitive to spice, simply reduce the amount you use.

Does Bourbon Chicken Actually Contain Alcohol?

Traditional bourbon chicken contains alcohol, but most of it cooks off during simmering. What remains is the smoky, caramelized flavor that the bourbon brings to the recipe. If you prefer an alcohol-free version, substitute the bourbon for apple juice, apple cider, or check out more options in the ‘Easy Ingredient Substitutions’ section above.

What Type of Bourbon Works Best?

You do not need an expensive bourbon for cooking this recipe. Mid-range bourbons like Jim Beam or Maker’s Mark will work great in this recipe. Since the bourbon cooks down into the sauce, the differences in the bourbons will become less noticeable.

What’s the Best Pan for This Recipe?

A cast-iron skillet is ideal for this recipe because it retains heat well, resulting in beautiful caramelization on the chicken. However, any heavy-bottomed skillet will work if properly preheated.

Final Thoughts

Applebee’s Bourbon Street Chicken and Shrimp proves that some restaurant favorites are actually even better when made at home. Once you realize how simple the ingredients are and how quickly the dish comes together, it’s easy to see why this recipe has remained a favorite at Applebee’s for years.

The combination of bold Cajun seasoning, buttery garlic shrimp, juicy chicken, and sweet bourbon flavor creates a meal that feels comforting, satisfying, and just a little indulgent.

One of the best things about making this recipe yourself is the ability to customize it exactly the way you want and experiment with different side dishes to make the meal feel completely new each time you cook it.

And unlike restaurant versions that sometimes sit under heat lamps or arrive overcooked, homemade Bourbon Street chicken and shrimp give you complete control over texture and freshness. It’s those small details like tender shrimp and juicy, seared chicken that make a huge difference in the final result.

Now that you know how to recreate Applebee’s Bourbon Street Chicken and Shrimp at home, you can skip the takeout line and enjoy the same sizzling flavors anytime you want. Whether you stick to the original recipe or put your own spin on it, this dish is guaranteed to become a repeat favorite for anyone who loves bold Cajun-inspired comfort food.

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