Saucy Bourbon Hen – The Keep At Dwelling Chef

We are able to’t get sufficient of this Saucy Bourbon Hen and neither will you. This tangy, spicy but candy sauce is the true star of the present right here. Serve it up with white rice or chow mein noodles, and add steamed veggies for an entire meal that’s prepared in half-hour.

For extra Bourbon recipes, strive Chef Cayt’s Famous Apple Bourbon Caramel Sauce.

Why Our Recipe

• Candy, sticky, and completed in half-hour which is even quicker than takeout.
• Juicy rooster smothered in a sauce that may depart you eager to lick the plate clear.
• Devour it plain or serve it over steamed rice, chow mein, or rice noodles.

New Orleans is likely one of the finest cities on the planet for meals with taste. It’s a spot the place a bunch of various cuisines have fused collectively to create among the finest flavors. This one is a fusion of Cajun and Chinese language cooking and Cajun delicacies itself is a mix of Native American, West African, French, and Spanish cuisines. New Orleans simply takes the very best from the whole lot and places it collectively. This dish has a candy and spicy sauce that may make your style buds tremendous blissful! I really like the bourbon as a result of it provides a deep richness to the sauce—add slightly or quite a bit!  And when you don’t have bourbon available, we’ve a simple substitute possibility for you. 

Ingredient Notes

• Hen: Lower the rooster into even bite-size items. We use boneless skinless rooster thighs as a result of they’re juicy, however you should utilize rooster breasts for a leaner possibility.
• Cooking Oil: You should use any impartial cooking oil like canola, avocado, or vegetable oil.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives the very best taste, however jarred minced garlic works if that’s what you’ve received.
• Sesame Oil: Situated within the Asian meals aisle of the grocery retailer. We go together with untoasted right here as a result of we cook dinner with it, whereas toasted sesame oil is for ending.
• Hen Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium possibility lets you finest management the flavour—it’s an incredible chef tip.
• Orange Juice: Provides a sweetness and tang to the sauce. No want for freshly squeezed, however you’ll be able to.
• Brown Sugar: Provides caramelization, will increase the sweetness, and balances out the orange juice and bourbon. Use gentle or darkish brown sugar.
• Bourbon: The vast majority of the alcohol cooks off so it’s thought-about secure to serve to anybody, however when you desire to cook dinner with out alcohol, you’ll be able to substitute with apple juice with slightly bit vinegar combined in.
• Soy Sauce: Low-sodium is an efficient possibility for controlling the salt ranges, however your customary soy sauce is what we’ve utilized in recipe growth. Coconut aminos can be used.
• Purple Pepper Flakes: These add only a trace of warmth. Double it if you wish to carry extra warmth, or depart it out solely when you aren’t into spicy.
• Inexperienced Onion: Offers a pop of colour and slightly delicate onion chunk.

Hen Choices

We love utilizing boneless, skinless rooster thighs. They’ve simply sufficient fats to remain juicy and flavorful, even when you unintentionally overcook them slightly.

Hen breasts will work too. Simply take into account that they cook dinner quicker and may dry out extra simply. You’ll need to watch them slightly extra intently and purpose to tug them off the warmth as quickly as they hit 165°F.

Cooking with Bourbon

Bourbon is what provides this dish its signature taste. It provides a slight smokiness and sweetness. It additionally helps tenderize the rooster whereas it cooks. And don’t fear, a lot of the alcohol cooks off through the simmer, so all you’re left with is wealthy taste and it’s thought-about completely secure to serve to anybody.

For these wanting an alcohol-free possibility, you’ll be able to nonetheless make a scrumptious bourbon rooster with out the bourbon. Apple juice is our favourite substitute with 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar combined in. It provides an analogous sweetness with just a bit fruitiness and the vinegar mimics the bitter punch of alcohol.

Wok or Skillet

Chef Cayt loves utilizing a wok for saucy recipes like this one, however it’s not required. A wok’s excessive, sloped sides make it straightforward to toss and stir the whole lot collectively with out spilling, they usually assist the sauce cling to each piece of rooster. It additionally heats up rapidly and evenly, which suggests your rooster cooks quick and your sauce reduces superbly with out burning.

A 12-inch skillet will completely get the job completed. Simply ensure it’s massive sufficient to offer the whole lot slightly area so the rooster sears as an alternative of steams. Use what you’ve received, and the outcomes will nonetheless be scrumptious.