Saucy Bourbon Hen – The Keep At Dwelling 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 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 completed in half-hour which is even quicker than takeout.
• Juicy hen smothered in a sauce that can depart 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 planet 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 all the pieces and places it collectively. This dish has a candy and spicy sauce that can make your style buds tremendous glad! I really like the bourbon as a result of it provides a deep richness to the sauce—add a bit of or loads!  And for those who don’t have bourbon readily available, now we have a simple substitute choice for you. 

Ingredient Notes

• Hen: Reduce 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 use 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 received.
• Sesame Oil: Situated within the Asian meals aisle of the grocery retailer. We go along 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 permits you to greatest management the flavour—it’s an incredible 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 secure to serve to anybody, however for those who choose to prepare dinner with out alcohol, you’ll be able to substitute with apple juice with a bit of bit vinegar combined in.
• Soy Sauce: Low-sodium is an effective choice for controlling the salt ranges, however your normal soy sauce is what we’ve utilized in recipe growth. Coconut aminos can 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 totally for those who aren’t into spicy.
• Inexperienced Onion: Offers a pop of shade and a bit of delicate 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 by chance overcook them a bit of.

Hen breasts will work too. Simply remember the fact that they prepare dinner quicker and might dry out extra simply. You’ll need to watch them a bit of extra intently 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, many of the alcohol cooks off throughout 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 choice, you’ll be able to 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.

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 simple to toss and stir all the pieces collectively with out spilling, and so they assist the sauce cling to each piece of hen. It additionally heats up shortly and evenly, which suggests your hen cooks quick and your sauce reduces fantastically with out burning.

A 12-inch skillet will completely get the job completed. Simply be certain it’s giant sufficient to present all the pieces a bit of area so the hen sears as an alternative of steams. Use what you’ve received, and the outcomes will nonetheless be scrumptious.