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 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 accomplished in half-hour which is even sooner 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 among the finest 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 finest 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 little thing and places it collectively. This dish has a candy and spicy sauce that can make your style buds tremendous pleased! I really like the bourbon as a result of it provides a deep richness to the sauce—add just a little or rather a lot!  And for those who don’t have bourbon readily available, we now have a straightforward substitute possibility for you. 

Ingredient Notes

• 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 utilize hen breasts for a leaner possibility.
• Cooking Oil: You need to use any impartial cooking oil like canola, avocado, or vegetable oil.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic supplies 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 together 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 possibility means that you can finest management the flavour—it’s a fantastic 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-about protected to serve to anybody, however for those who choose 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 possibility for controlling the salt ranges, however your customary soy sauce is what we’ve utilized in recipe growth. Coconut aminos can be used.
• Purple Pepper Flakes: These add only a trace of warmth. Double it if you wish to convey extra warmth, or depart it out fully for those who aren’t into spicy.
• Inexperienced Onion: Offers a pop of shade and just a little delicate onion chew.

Hen 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 just a little.

Hen breasts will work too. Simply needless to say they cook dinner sooner and may dry out extra simply. You’ll need to watch them just a little 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, a lot of the alcohol cooks off throughout the simmer, so all you’re left with is wealthy taste and it’s thought-about completely protected to serve to anybody.

For these wanting an alcohol-free possibility, 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 the same 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 simple to toss and stir every little thing 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 fantastically with out burning.

A 12-inch skillet will completely get the job accomplished. Simply ensure that it’s massive sufficient to offer every little thing 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.