Saucy Bourbon Rooster - The Keep At Residence Chef

We will’t get sufficient of this Saucy Bourbon Rooster 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, attempt Chef Cayt’s Famous Apple Bourbon Caramel Sauce.

Why Our Recipe

Candy, sticky, and carried out in half-hour which is even quicker than takeout.
Juicy rooster 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.

Overhead shot of Bourbon chicken on a plate of rice with bourbon in background.

New Orleans is without doubt one of the greatest cities on this planet for meals with taste. It’s a spot the place a bunch of various cuisines have fused collectively to create a few 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 very best from every little thing and places it collectively. This dish has a candy and spicy sauce that may make your style buds tremendous pleased! I really like the bourbon as a result of it provides a deep richness to the sauce—add a bit of or quite a bit! And for those who don’t have bourbon readily available, we’ve a simple substitute possibility for you.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients used to make Bourbon Chicken.

Rooster: Minimize the rooster into even bite-size items. We use boneless skinless rooster thighs as a result of they’re juicy, however you need to use rooster 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 very best taste, however jarred minced garlic works if that’s what you’ve bought.
Sesame Oil: Positioned 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.
Rooster Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium possibility 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 may.
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 for those who want to cook dinner with out alcohol, you may substitute with apple juice with a bit of 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 may also 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 fully for those who aren’t into spicy.
Inexperienced Onion: Provides a pop of coloration and a bit of gentle onion chew.

Rooster Choices

We love utilizing boneless, skinless rooster thighs. They’ve simply sufficient fats to remain juicy and flavorful, even for those who by chance overcook them a bit of.

Rooster breasts will work too. Simply needless to say they cook dinner quicker and might dry out extra simply. You’ll wish to watch them a bit of extra intently and intention to drag them off the warmth as quickly as they hit 165°F.

Cooking with Bourbon

Bourbon is what offers this dish its signature taste. It provides a slight smokiness and sweetness. It additionally helps tenderize the rooster 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 may nonetheless make a scrumptious bourbon rooster with out the bourbon. Apple juice is our favourite substitute with 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar combined in. It offers an analogous sweetness with just a bit fruitiness and the vinegar mimics the bitter punch of alcohol.

Overhead shot of Bourbon chicken in skillet.

Sluggish Cooker Variation

Wish to make this one in a gradual cooker? Put together your sauce and brown the rooster on the stovetop totally first. Add browned rooster and sauce to the gradual cooker and cook 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 simple to toss and stir every little thing collectively with out spilling, they usually assist the sauce cling to each piece of rooster. It additionally heats up shortly and evenly, which suggests your rooster cooks quick and your sauce reduces fantastically with out burning.

A 12-inch skillet will completely get the job carried out. Simply be sure that it’s massive sufficient to provide every little thing a bit of house so the rooster sears as a substitute of steams. Use what you’ve bought, and the outcomes will nonetheless be scrumptious.