Saucy Bourbon Hen – The Keep At Residence 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 actual star of the present right here. Serve it up with white rice or chow mein noodles, and add steamed veggies for a whole 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 finished in half-hour which is even sooner than takeout.
• Juicy rooster smothered in a sauce that can go away you eager to lick the plate clear.
• Devour it plain or serve it over steamed rice, chow mein, or rice noodles.

New Orleans is among the greatest 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 greatest 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 perfect from all the things and places it collectively. This dish has a candy and spicy sauce that can make your style buds tremendous blissful! I like the bourbon as a result of it provides a deep richness to the sauce—add a little bit or quite a bit!  And in case you don’t have bourbon available, we’ve got 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 perfect taste, however jarred minced garlic works if that’s what you’ve acquired.
• Sesame Oil: Positioned within the Asian meals aisle of the grocery retailer. We go along 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 permits you to greatest management the flavour—it’s an ideal 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 mild or darkish brown sugar.
• Bourbon: Nearly all of the alcohol cooks off so it’s thought of protected to serve to anybody, however in case you choose to cook dinner with out alcohol, you’ll be able to substitute with apple juice with a little bit bit vinegar blended 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 improvement. Coconut aminos may also be used.
• Purple Pepper Flakes: These add only a trace of warmth. Double it if you wish to carry extra warmth, or go away it out completely in case you aren’t into spicy.
• Inexperienced Onion: Provides a pop of coloration and a little bit delicate onion chunk.

Hen Choices

We love utilizing boneless, skinless rooster thighs. They’ve simply sufficient fats to remain juicy and flavorful, even in case you unintentionally overcook them a little bit.

Hen breasts will work too. Simply needless to say they cook dinner sooner and might dry out extra simply. You’ll wish to watch them a little bit 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, many of the alcohol cooks off throughout the simmer, so all you’re left with is wealthy taste and it’s thought of completely protected 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 blended in. It provides an identical 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 all the things collectively with out spilling, and so they 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 finished. Simply be certain that it’s massive sufficient to offer all the things a little bit area so the rooster sears as a substitute of steams. Use what you’ve acquired, and the outcomes will nonetheless be scrumptious.