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 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 carried out in half-hour which is even quicker than takeout.
Juicy rooster 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.

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 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 very best from every part 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 a little bit or loads! And in the event you don’t have bourbon readily available, we now have a simple substitute choice for you.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients used to make Bourbon Chicken.

Rooster: Lower 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 choice.
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 obtained.
Sesame Oil: Situated 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 choice lets you 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 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-about secure to serve to anybody, however in the event you favor to cook dinner with out alcohol, you possibly can substitute with apple juice with a little bit bit vinegar blended in.
Soy Sauce: Low-sodium is an efficient choice for controlling the salt ranges, however your commonplace 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 completely in the event you aren’t into spicy.
Inexperienced Onion: Provides a pop of shade and a little bit delicate onion chunk.

Rooster Choices

We love utilizing boneless, skinless rooster thighs. They’ve simply sufficient fats to remain juicy and flavorful, even in the event you unintentionally overcook them a little bit.

Rooster breasts will work too. Simply take into account that they cook dinner quicker and might dry out extra simply. You’ll wish to watch them a little bit 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 rooster whereas it cooks. And don’t fear, a lot of the alcohol cooks off through the simmer, so all you’re left with is wealthy taste and it’s thought-about completely secure to serve to anybody.

For these wanting an alcohol-free choice, you possibly can nonetheless make a scrumptious bourbon rooster with out the bourbon. Apple juice is our favourite substitute with 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar blended in. It provides an identical 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 part collectively with out spilling, they usually assist the sauce cling to each piece of rooster. It additionally heats up rapidly and evenly, which suggests your rooster cooks quick and your sauce reduces superbly with out burning.

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