We will’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 achieved in half-hour which is even quicker than takeout.
- Juicy hen smothered in a sauce that can go away you eager to lick the plate clear.
- Devour it plain or serve it over steamed rice, chow mein, or rice noodles.
New Orleans is without doubt 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 number of the greatest 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 can make your style buds tremendous glad! I like the bourbon as a result of it provides a deep richness to the sauce—add somewhat or quite a bit! And in case you don’t have bourbon available, we’ve got a simple substitute choice for you.
Ingredient Notes
- Rooster: Reduce the hen into even bite-size items. We use boneless skinless hen thighs as a result of they’re juicy, however you need to use 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 gives the most effective taste, however jarred minced garlic works if that’s what you’ve obtained.
- 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 permits you to greatest management the flavour—it’s an ideal chef tip.
- Orange Juice: Provides a sweetness and tang to the sauce. No want for freshly squeezed, however you may.
- 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-about protected to serve to anybody, however in case you choose to prepare dinner with out alcohol, you may substitute with apple juice with somewhat 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 will also be used.
- Purple Pepper Flakes: These add only a trace of warmth. Double it if you wish to deliver extra warmth, or go away it out solely in case you aren’t into spicy.
- Inexperienced Onion: Provides a pop of shade and somewhat gentle onion chunk.
Rooster 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 somewhat.
Rooster breasts will work too. Simply understand that they prepare dinner quicker and might dry out extra simply. You’ll need to watch them somewhat extra intently 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 choice, you may 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.
Sluggish Cooker Variation
Wish 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, however it’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 shortly and evenly, which implies your hen cooks quick and your sauce reduces fantastically with out burning.
A 12-inch skillet will completely get the job achieved. Simply ensure that it’s giant sufficient to offer every thing somewhat area so the hen sears as a substitute of steams. Use what you’ve obtained, and the outcomes will nonetheless be scrumptious.
Storage & Reheating Directions
Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic container for as much as 5 days.
Reheat in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low warmth till warmed via.
Microwave parts on excessive in 30-second increments.