Saucy Bourbon Rooster - The Keep At Dwelling Chef

We are able to’t get sufficient of this Saucy Bourbon Rooster 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 Famous Apple Bourbon Caramel Sauce.

Why Our Recipe

Candy, sticky, and performed in half-hour which is even quicker than takeout.
Juicy hen smothered in a sauce that may depart 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 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 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 completely satisfied! I really like the bourbon as a result of it provides a deep richness to the sauce—add somewhat or quite a bit! And for those who don’t have bourbon available, we’ve a straightforward substitute choice for you.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients used to make Bourbon Chicken.

Rooster: 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 need to use 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: 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.
Rooster Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium choice 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 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: Nearly all of the alcohol cooks off so it’s thought-about secure to serve to anybody, however for those who want to prepare dinner with out alcohol, you possibly can substitute with apple juice with somewhat bit vinegar blended in.
Soy Sauce: Low-sodium is an efficient choice for controlling the salt ranges, however your customary 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 depart it out fully for those who aren’t into spicy.
Inexperienced Onion: Provides a pop of colour and somewhat delicate onion chunk.

Rooster 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 somewhat.

Rooster breasts will work too. Simply remember the fact that they prepare dinner quicker and may dry out extra simply. You’ll wish to watch them somewhat extra carefully and purpose to tug them off the warmth as quickly as they hit 165°F.

Cooking with Bourbon

Bourbon is what provides 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 in the course of 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 blended in. It provides an analogous 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 gradual cooker? Put together your sauce and brown the hen on the stovetop completely first. Add browned hen 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, but it surely’s not required. A wok’s excessive, sloped sides make it straightforward 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 suggests your hen cooks quick and your sauce reduces superbly with out burning.

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