Saucy Bourbon Hen – The Keep At House Chef

We will’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 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 performed 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 the earth 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 mix of Native American, West African, French, and Spanish cuisines. New Orleans simply takes the most effective from every thing and places it collectively. This dish has a candy and spicy sauce that may make your style buds tremendous comfortable! I really like the bourbon as a result of it provides a deep richness to the sauce—add slightly or loads!  And for those who don’t have bourbon available, we’ve a simple 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 need to 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 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 possibility permits you to finest 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 gentle or darkish brown sugar.
• Bourbon: Nearly all of the alcohol cooks off so it’s thought of protected to serve to anybody, however for those who desire to prepare dinner with out alcohol, you’ll be able to substitute with apple juice with slightly bit vinegar blended in.
• Soy Sauce: Low-sodium is an efficient possibility for controlling the salt ranges, however your normal soy sauce is what we’ve utilized in recipe improvement. Coconut aminos can be used.
• Crimson Pepper Flakes: These add only a trace of warmth. Double it if you wish to deliver extra warmth, or go away it out fully for those who aren’t into spicy.
• Inexperienced Onion: Provides a pop of colour and slightly gentle 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 by chance overcook them slightly.

Hen breasts will work too. Simply needless to say they prepare dinner quicker and may dry out extra simply. You’ll need to watch them slightly 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, a lot 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’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 blended 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, but it surely’s not required. A wok’s excessive, sloped sides make it straightforward to toss and stir every thing 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 performed. Simply be sure it’s giant sufficient to present every thing slightly area so the hen sears as a substitute of steams. Use what you’ve obtained, and the outcomes will nonetheless be scrumptious.