Saucy Bourbon Hen - The Keep At House 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 finished in half-hour which is even quicker than takeout.
Juicy hen 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.

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

New Orleans is likely 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 number 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 the very best from every part and places it collectively. This dish has a candy and spicy sauce that may make your style buds tremendous completely satisfied! I really like the bourbon as a result of it provides a deep richness to the sauce—add a little bit or so much! And when you don’t have bourbon available, we now have a simple substitute choice for you.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients used to make Bourbon Chicken.

Hen: Lower the hen into even bite-size items. We use boneless skinless hen thighs as a result of they’re juicy, however you should use hen breasts for a leaner choice.
Cooking Oil: You should utilize any impartial cooking oil like canola, avocado, or vegetable oil.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic offers the very best taste, however jarred minced garlic works if that’s what you’ve acquired.
Sesame Oil: Situated 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 choice lets you greatest management the flavour—it’s an important 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-about secure to serve to anybody, however when you desire to cook dinner with out alcohol, you possibly can substitute with apple juice with a little bit bit vinegar combined in.
Soy Sauce: Low-sodium is an effective choice for controlling the salt ranges, however your customary soy sauce is what we’ve utilized in recipe improvement. 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: Provides a pop of shade and a little bit gentle onion chew.

Hen Choices

We love utilizing boneless, skinless hen thighs. They’ve simply sufficient fats to remain juicy and flavorful, even when you by chance overcook them a little bit.

Hen breasts will work too. Simply take into account that they cook dinner quicker and may dry out extra simply. You’ll wish to watch them a little bit extra carefully and purpose to drag 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, 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 choice, 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 combined 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.

Sluggish Cooker Variation

Need to make this one in a sluggish cooker? Put together your sauce and brown the hen on the stovetop totally 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, but it surely’s not required. A wok’s excessive, sloped sides make it straightforward to toss and stir every part 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 finished. Simply ensure it’s giant sufficient to offer every part a little bit house so the hen sears as an alternative of steams. Use what you’ve acquired, and the outcomes will nonetheless be scrumptious.