We are able to’t get sufficient of this Saucy Bourbon Hen 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 accomplished in half-hour which is even quicker than takeout.
- Juicy rooster smothered in a sauce that may 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 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 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 like the bourbon as a result of it provides a deep richness to the sauce—add a bit or quite a bit! And in the event you don’t have bourbon available, we’ve got a straightforward substitute choice for you.
Ingredient Notes


- Hen: 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 choice.
- Cooking Oil: You should use any impartial cooking oil like canola, avocado, or vegetable oil.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic offers one of the best 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 along with untoasted right here as a result of we prepare dinner with it, whereas toasted sesame oil is for ending.
- Hen Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium choice means that you can greatest management the flavour—it’s an excellent 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: Nearly all of the alcohol cooks off so it’s thought-about secure to serve to anybody, however in the event you favor to prepare dinner with out alcohol, you possibly can substitute with apple juice with a bit bit vinegar combined in.
- Soy Sauce: Low-sodium is an effective choice for controlling the salt ranges, however your commonplace 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 convey extra warmth, or go away it out completely in the event you aren’t into spicy.
- Inexperienced Onion: Offers a pop of colour and a bit gentle onion chunk.
Hen Choices
We love utilizing boneless, skinless rooster thighs. They’ve simply sufficient fats to remain juicy and flavorful, even in the event you by chance overcook them a bit.
Hen breasts will work too. Simply remember the fact that they prepare dinner quicker and might dry out extra simply. You’ll need to watch them a bit extra intently 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 in the course of 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 combined in. It offers the same sweetness with just a bit fruitiness and the vinegar mimics the bitter punch of alcohol.


Gradual Cooker Variation
Need 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 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 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 superbly with out burning.
A 12-inch skillet will completely get the job accomplished. Simply be certain it’s giant sufficient to offer every part a bit house so the rooster sears as a substitute of steams. Use what you’ve received, 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.
Extra takeout-inspired recipes…
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