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 an entire meal that’s prepared in half-hour.
For extra Bourbon recipes, attempt Chef Cayt’s Well-known 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 without doubt one of the greatest cities on this planet 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 mixture of Native American, West African, French, and Spanish cuisines. New Orleans simply takes the very best 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 a bit or loads! And if you happen to don’t have bourbon readily available, now we have a straightforward 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 need to use rooster breasts for a leaner possibility.
- Cooking Oil: You should utilize 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 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 prepare dinner with it, whereas toasted sesame oil is for ending.
- Hen Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium possibility means that you can greatest 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’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 if you happen to desire to prepare dinner with out alcohol, you’ll be able to substitute with apple juice with a bit bit vinegar blended in.
- Soy Sauce: Low-sodium is an effective possibility for controlling the salt ranges, however your customary soy sauce is what we’ve utilized in recipe improvement. Coconut aminos will also be used.
- Crimson Pepper Flakes: These add only a trace of warmth. Double it if you wish to convey extra warmth, or depart it out solely if you happen to aren’t into spicy.
- Inexperienced Onion: Provides a pop of colour and a bit gentle onion chew.
Hen Choices
We love utilizing boneless, skinless rooster thighs. They’ve simply sufficient fats to remain juicy and flavorful, even if you happen to unintentionally overcook them a bit.
Hen breasts will work too. Simply remember the fact that they prepare dinner quicker and might dry out extra simply. You’ll wish to watch them a bit extra intently and intention 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 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 offers an analogous sweetness with just a bit fruitiness and the vinegar mimics the bitter punch of alcohol.
Gradual Cooker Variation
Need to make this one in a gradual cooker? Put together your sauce and brown the rooster on the stovetop totally first. Add browned rooster and sauce to the gradual cooker and prepare 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, however it’s not required. A wok’s excessive, sloped sides make it simple to toss and stir all the pieces collectively with out spilling, and so they assist the sauce cling to each piece of rooster. It additionally heats up shortly and evenly, which implies your rooster cooks quick and your sauce reduces fantastically with out burning.
A 12-inch skillet will completely get the job completed. Simply be certain that it’s massive sufficient to offer all the pieces a bit area so the rooster sears as an alternative of steams. Use what you’ve bought, and the outcomes will nonetheless be scrumptious.
Storage & Reheating Directions
Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic container for as much as 5 days.
Reheat in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low warmth till warmed via.
Microwave parts on excessive in 30-second increments.
