Saucy Bourbon Hen - The Keep At House Chef

We will’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, strive Chef Cayt’s Famous Apple Bourbon Caramel Sauce.

Why Our Recipe

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

Overhead shot of Bourbon chicken on a plate of rice with bourbon in background.

New Orleans is likely one of the finest cities on the earth 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 mixture of Native American, West African, French, and Spanish cuisines. New Orleans simply takes the perfect from all the pieces and places it collectively. This dish has a candy and spicy sauce that may make your style buds tremendous blissful! I like the bourbon as a result of it provides a deep richness to the sauce—add just a little or loads! And for those who don’t have bourbon available, we’ve got a simple substitute possibility for you.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients used to make Bourbon Chicken.

Hen: Reduce the hen into even bite-size items. We use boneless skinless hen thighs as a result of they’re juicy, however you need to use hen breasts for a leaner possibility.
Cooking Oil: You need to use any impartial cooking oil like canola, avocado, or vegetable oil.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic offers the perfect taste, however jarred minced garlic works if that’s what you’ve bought.
Sesame Oil: Positioned 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 means that you can finest management the flavour—it’s an excellent 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 mild or darkish brown sugar.
Bourbon: The vast majority of the alcohol cooks off so it’s thought of secure to serve to anybody, however for those who desire to cook dinner with out alcohol, you possibly can substitute with apple juice with just a little bit vinegar blended in.
Soy Sauce: Low-sodium is an efficient possibility for controlling the salt ranges, however your normal soy sauce is what we’ve utilized in recipe improvement. Coconut aminos may also be used.
Pink Pepper Flakes: These add only a trace of warmth. Double it if you wish to deliver extra warmth, or go away it out fully for those who aren’t into spicy.
Inexperienced Onion: Provides a pop of coloration and just a little gentle onion chunk.

Hen Choices

We love utilizing boneless, skinless hen thighs. They’ve simply sufficient fats to remain juicy and flavorful, even for those who unintentionally overcook them just a little.

Hen breasts will work too. Simply remember the fact that they cook dinner quicker and may dry out extra simply. You’ll wish to watch them just a little 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 hen whereas it cooks. And don’t fear, many of the alcohol cooks off through the simmer, so all you’re left with is wealthy taste and it’s thought of completely secure to serve to anybody.

For these wanting an alcohol-free possibility, you possibly can nonetheless make a scrumptious bourbon hen with out the bourbon. Apple juice is our favourite substitute with 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar blended in. It offers an identical sweetness with just a bit fruitiness and the vinegar mimics the bitter punch of alcohol.

Overhead shot of Bourbon chicken in skillet.

Gradual Cooker Variation

Need to make this one in a sluggish cooker? Put together your sauce and brown the hen on the stovetop completely first. Add browned hen and sauce to the sluggish cooker and cook dinner on low for five hours, or excessive for 3 hours.

Wok or Skillet

Chef Cayt loves utilizing a wok for saucy recipes like this one, nevertheless it’s not required. A wok’s excessive, sloped sides make it simple to toss and stir all the pieces collectively with out spilling, they usually assist the sauce cling to each piece of hen. It additionally heats up shortly and evenly, which implies your hen cooks quick and your sauce reduces fantastically with out burning.

A 12-inch skillet will completely get the job achieved. Simply be sure it’s massive sufficient to provide all the pieces just a little house so the hen sears as a substitute of steams. Use what you’ve bought, and the outcomes will nonetheless be scrumptious.