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 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 executed in half-hour which is even quicker than takeout.
• Juicy hen smothered in a sauce that may 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 likely one of the finest cities on this planet for meals with taste. It’s a spot the place a bunch of various cuisines have fused collectively to create among the finest 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 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 bit or loads!  And should you don’t have bourbon readily available, now we have a straightforward substitute possibility 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 possibility.
• Cooking Oil: You should use any impartial cooking oil like canola, avocado, or vegetable oil.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives the most effective taste, however jarred minced garlic works if that’s what you’ve obtained.
• 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 permits you to finest 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 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: Nearly all of the alcohol cooks off so it’s thought of protected to serve to anybody, however should you want to prepare dinner with out alcohol, you possibly can substitute with apple juice with a bit bit vinegar combined in.
• Soy Sauce: Low-sodium is an effective possibility for controlling the salt ranges, however your commonplace soy sauce is what we’ve utilized in recipe improvement. Coconut aminos will also be used.
• Pink Pepper Flakes: These add only a trace of warmth. Double it if you wish to convey extra warmth, or go away it out totally should you aren’t into spicy.
• Inexperienced Onion: Offers a pop of colour and a bit gentle onion chew.

Hen Choices

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

Hen breasts will work too. Simply remember that they prepare dinner quicker and might dry out extra simply. You’ll need to watch them a bit extra carefully and goal 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 of completely protected to serve to anybody.

For these wanting an alcohol-free possibility, 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 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, nevertheless it’s not required. A wok’s excessive, sloped sides make it straightforward 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 rapidly and evenly, which implies your hen cooks quick and your sauce reduces superbly with out burning.

A 12-inch skillet will completely get the job executed. Simply ensure that it’s massive sufficient to provide all the pieces a bit area so the hen sears as an alternative of steams. Use what you’ve obtained, and the outcomes will nonetheless be scrumptious.