Saucy Bourbon Rooster - The Keep At House 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 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 finished in half-hour which is even quicker than takeout.
Juicy rooster 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.

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

New Orleans is without doubt 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 mixture of Native American, West African, French, and Spanish cuisines. New Orleans simply takes the perfect from all the things 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 lots! And for those who don’t have bourbon readily available, we’ve a straightforward substitute possibility for you.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients used to make Bourbon Chicken.

Rooster: Reduce 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 need to use any impartial cooking oil like canola, avocado, or vegetable oil.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic supplies the perfect taste, however jarred minced garlic works if that’s what you’ve received.
Sesame Oil: Positioned 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.
Rooster Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium possibility lets you finest management the flavour—it’s an awesome 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 of secure to serve to anybody, however for those who favor to cook dinner with out alcohol, you may substitute with apple juice with just a little bit vinegar combined in.
Soy Sauce: Low-sodium is an effective possibility for controlling the salt ranges, however your normal soy sauce is what we’ve utilized in recipe growth. Coconut aminos can be used.
Pink Pepper Flakes: These add only a trace of warmth. Double it if you wish to deliver extra warmth, or go away it out completely for those who aren’t into spicy.
Inexperienced Onion: Provides a pop of shade and just a little delicate onion chunk.

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 just a little.

Rooster breasts will work too. Simply remember that they cook dinner quicker and might dry out extra simply. You’ll wish 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 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 secure 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 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 completely 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 straightforward to toss and stir all the things collectively with out spilling, and so they assist the sauce cling to each piece of rooster. It additionally heats up shortly and evenly, which implies your rooster cooks quick and your sauce reduces fantastically with out burning.

A 12-inch skillet will completely get the job finished. Simply be sure that it’s giant sufficient to present all the things just a little house so the rooster sears as a substitute of steams. Use what you’ve received, and the outcomes will nonetheless be scrumptious.