Bourbon chicken
When I think of the dish Bourbon Chicken, I can literally taste the smoky-brown sugar-bourbon bliss that I so frequently enjoyed while in college. It's a dreamscape made of auburn-colored poultry, glazed with a toffee-like sticky coating, and of course crowned with whiskey goodness.
Not many dishes make me feel at home like Bourbon Chicken does. A bite of this southern-style entrée is enough to take me back to my days at Auburn University. From the comfort of my dorm room, I could walk to get a heaping helping of Bourbon Chicken from on-campus restaurants. Each bite is full of sweet and savory memories.
The deliciousness of Bourbon Chicken cannot be underestimated. The fried chicken is coated in a thick, syrup-like sauce that has honey and garlic as base flavors. The concoction is then finished off with a generous pour of bourbon. While not necessarily health food, this dish strikes amazingly delicate notes of flavor when eaten.
What I love most about Bourbon Chicken is its versatility as an entrée. It pairs well with almost anything--rice, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes. It's even great served over fresh veggies! Because the flavorful glaze absorbs into the chicken so completely, it gives the entire plate a deliciously uniform flavor.
As I've grown older and moved away from Auburn, the longing for this gloriously good dish has grown stronger. With the help of online recipes, I can make my own Bourbon Chicken at home. I pour a glass of pinot grigio and take in the smell of my adored dish. Memories of college life come flooding back with every bite.
My experience with this tender and tasty meal is one that I'll never forget. Bourbon Chicken is much more than just a meal to me; it's an auburn dreamscape.
Bourbon chicken recipes
Amazing Bourbon chicken recipes sourced from the web.
The origin of Bourbon chicken
Ah, the dish we all know and love: Bourbon Chicken. Don't let the name fool you; this delicacy is not of any royal lineage but rather a humble origin. Despite its seemingly fancy title, Bourbon Chicken was actually born in a peculiar way.
This tantalizing bird must be thanked for its inception to an unorthodox restaurant chain popular in the United States in the 1980s: the Mall Chinese Food Kiosk. This unique feature of the mall experience utilized food court tables, plastic utensils, and a supplier-provided Chinese-American hybrid menu. It was here that the famous Bourbon Chicken was born.
It is said the original recipe was inspired by a tourist who had visited Bourbon Street in New Orleans. This noteworthy patron challenged the chef of the kiosk to replicate the flavors of New Orleans which he had recently enjoyed. Thus, the chef combined his Chinese culinary knowledge with the Cajun-infused herbs and spices from a rival kiosk.
The result? An unprecedented flavor profile that enticed customers and ultimately created a sensation. The popularity rapidly spread and the kiosk was forced to begin bottling the sauce to meet the demand. With the rise of food delivery services and wider distribution of the prepared meal, the culinary creation became available to more and more foodies who were eager to try it. Soon enough, the recipes began to change and evolve as the dish underwent several tweaks and adjustments over the years.
Today, Bourbon Chicken is a staple on many menus throughout the country, but its journey is far from over. Whether you are enjoying it at a local eatery or whipping up your own version in the kitchen, this tasty dish continues to excite taste buds and bring happiness to many.
Types of Bourbon chicken
If you’re a fan of creamy and pecan-laced dishes, you may find yourself more than smitten with Bourbon chicken. This complex dish has many different variations, each with unique flavors to create an unforgettable culinary experience.
Starting off with the classic version of Bourbon chicken, this variant includes chicken marinated in a mixture of brown sugar and honey before being cooked in a wok or pan. It is then combined with a sauce of mushroom and garlic, as well as a base of sautéed pecans to give it a crunchy nutty flavor. To add further depth, this kind of Bourbon chicken is usually made with some ingredients like Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce.
If you’re looking for something really special, try the chilli infused Bourbon chicken. This variation adds a spicy kick of chilli peppers to the mix, making it both creamy and zingy. The boldness of the chilli peppers contrast perfectly with the mellowness of the bourbon, creating an unforgettable flavor.
Then there’s the pineapple Bourbon chicken. As you might expect, this version of Bourbon chicken combines freshly cut pineapple along with crispy bacon for a sweet and smoky flavor. The added sweetness of the pineapple balances the salty pork perfectly, creating a unique and delightful dish.
Of course, some people prefer their Bourbon chicken extra creamy. For these eaters, there’s the cream cheese infused Bourbon chicken. This variant uses cream cheese as the main ingredient, giving this variation a rich, creamy taste that goes wonderfully with a side of steamed basmati rice.
No matter which version you choose, one thing is for sure: Bourbon chicken is sure to make your mouth water. With its unique blend of flavors and textures, it is sure to tantalize your taste buds and put a smile on your face. So, if you’re looking for a meal with a lot of character, be sure to give the different variations of Bourbon chicken a try!