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 true 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, attempt Chef Cayt’s Famous Apple Bourbon Caramel Sauce.

Why Our Recipe

• Candy, sticky, and achieved in half-hour which is even sooner than takeout.
• Juicy rooster smothered in a sauce that can go away you desirous to lick the plate clear.
• Devour it plain or serve it over steamed rice, chow mein, or rice noodles.

New Orleans is without doubt one of the greatest cities on the earth for meals with taste. It’s a spot the place a bunch of various cuisines have fused collectively to create a few of 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 one of the best from every little thing and places it collectively. This dish has a candy and spicy sauce that can make your style buds tremendous glad! I like the bourbon as a result of it provides a deep richness to the sauce—add slightly or loads!  And in case you don’t have bourbon readily available, we’ve got a straightforward substitute choice for you. 

Ingredient Notes

• Hen: Minimize the rooster into even bite-size items. We use boneless skinless rooster thighs as a result of they’re juicy, however you need to use rooster breasts for a leaner choice.
• Cooking Oil: You should utilize any impartial cooking oil like canola, avocado, or vegetable oil.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic supplies one of the 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 prepare dinner with it, whereas toasted sesame oil is for ending.
• Hen Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium choice lets you 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 possibly can.
• 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 protected to serve to anybody, however in case you desire to prepare dinner with out alcohol, you possibly can substitute with apple juice with slightly bit vinegar blended in.
• Soy Sauce: Low-sodium is an efficient choice for controlling the salt ranges, however your commonplace soy sauce is what we’ve utilized in recipe growth. Coconut aminos will also be used.
• Pink Pepper Flakes: These add only a trace of warmth. Double it if you wish to carry extra warmth, or go away it out totally in case you aren’t into spicy.
• Inexperienced Onion: Provides a pop of colour and slightly delicate onion chew.

Hen Choices

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

Hen breasts will work too. Simply understand that they prepare dinner sooner and may dry out extra simply. You’ll wish to watch them slightly extra intently and goal to tug them off the warmth as quickly as they hit 165°F.

Cooking with Bourbon

Bourbon is what offers 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 protected to serve to anybody.

For these wanting an alcohol-free choice, you possibly can 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 offers the same 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 simple to toss and stir every little thing 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 achieved. Simply be certain it’s massive sufficient to present every little thing slightly house so the rooster sears as a substitute of steams. Use what you’ve received, and the outcomes will nonetheless be scrumptious.