Saucy Bourbon Hen – The Keep At Residence 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 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 completed in half-hour which is even sooner than takeout.
• Juicy hen smothered in a sauce that can go away you desirous to lick the plate clear.
• Devour it plain or serve it over steamed rice, chow mein, or rice noodles.

New Orleans is among 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 among 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 most effective from all the pieces and places it collectively. This dish has a candy and spicy sauce that can make your style buds tremendous completely happy! I really like the bourbon as a result of it provides a deep richness to the sauce—add just a little or loads!  And in case you don’t have bourbon available, we’ve got a simple substitute choice for you. 

Ingredient Notes

• Hen: Minimize the hen into even bite-size items. We use boneless skinless hen thighs as a result of they’re juicy, however you should utilize 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 supplies the most effective 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 permits you to greatest management the flavour—it’s a terrific 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: The vast majority of the alcohol cooks off so it’s thought of protected to serve to anybody, however in case you want to cook dinner with out alcohol, you’ll be able to substitute with apple juice with just a little bit vinegar combined in.
• Soy Sauce: Low-sodium is an efficient choice for controlling the salt ranges, however your normal soy sauce is what we’ve utilized in recipe growth. Coconut aminos can be used.
• Pink Pepper Flakes: These add only a trace of warmth. Double it if you wish to carry extra warmth, or go away it out totally in case you aren’t into spicy.
• Inexperienced Onion: Provides a pop of shade 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 in case you by accident overcook them just a little.

Hen breasts will work too. Simply remember that they cook dinner sooner and might dry out extra simply. You’ll need to watch them just a little extra carefully and purpose to drag 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 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 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 provides an analogous 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, however it’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 rapidly 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 completed. Simply make sure that it’s giant sufficient to provide all the pieces just a little house so the hen sears as an alternative of steams. Use what you’ve acquired, and the outcomes will nonetheless be scrumptious.