We are able to’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 Well-known Apple Bourbon Caramel Sauce.
Why Our Recipe
- Candy, sticky, and finished in half-hour which is even sooner than takeout.
- Juicy rooster smothered in a sauce that may depart 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 greatest cities on the planet 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 mixture of Native American, West African, French, and Spanish cuisines. New Orleans simply takes one of the best from every part 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 somewhat or so much! And should you don’t have bourbon available, now we have a simple substitute choice for you.
Ingredient Notes
- 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 utilize any impartial cooking oil like canola, avocado, or vegetable oil.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic supplies one of the best 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 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 choice lets you greatest management the flavour—it’s a fantastic 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 gentle or darkish brown sugar.
- Bourbon: The vast majority of the alcohol cooks off so it’s thought of protected to serve to anybody, however should you want to cook dinner with out alcohol, you possibly can substitute with apple juice with somewhat 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 improvement. Coconut aminos can be used.
- Purple Pepper Flakes: These add only a trace of warmth. Double it if you wish to deliver extra warmth, or depart it out solely should you aren’t into spicy.
- Inexperienced Onion: Provides a pop of shade and somewhat delicate onion chew.
Rooster Choices
We love utilizing boneless, skinless rooster thighs. They’ve simply sufficient fats to remain juicy and flavorful, even should you by accident overcook them somewhat.
Rooster breasts will work too. Simply take into account that they cook dinner sooner and may dry out extra simply. You’ll wish to watch them somewhat extra carefully and goal 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, a lot of the alcohol cooks off through 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 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 offers an analogous sweetness with just a bit fruitiness and the vinegar mimics the bitter punch of alcohol.
Gradual 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, but it surely’s not required. A wok’s excessive, sloped sides make it simple to toss and stir every part collectively with out spilling, and so they assist the sauce cling to each piece of rooster. It additionally heats up rapidly 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 make sure that it’s giant sufficient to provide every part somewhat house so the rooster sears as an alternative 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 by way of.
Microwave parts on excessive in 30-second increments.
