Savory Bourbon Street Chicken with Zesty Marinade
Enjoy the taste of Bourbon Street without the guilt! This delicious dish brings the flavors of New Orleans right to your kitchen, featuring tender boneless chicken thighs marinated in a mouthwatering blend of reduced sodium soy sauce, sweetener, and aromatic spices. Perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends, this reduced-calorie version captures the essence of Golden Corral's Bourbon Street Chicken while keeping the calorie count in check. Let the chicken marinate for a few hours to ensure each bite is infused with flavor. Serve it warm and watch your loved ones go back for seconds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Reduced sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup (None required)
Sugar substitute (e.g., Splenda, Truvia)
4 packets (Use according to taste)
Garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon (None required)
Ground ginger
1 teaspoon (None required)
Onion flakes
2 tablespoons (None required)
Bourbon
1/4 cup (None required)
Chicken broth
1/4 cup, plus 2 tablespoons (Measure out separately)
Boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 lb (Cut into bite-sized pieces)
Instructions
1
In a medium bowl, whisk together the reduced sodium soy sauce, sugar substitute, garlic powder, ground ginger, onion flakes, bourbon, and 1/4 cup chicken broth to create the marinade.
2
Place the bite-sized chicken pieces in a large resealable bag or a bowl, and pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Seal the bag or cover the bowl and refrigerate for 4 hours, turning occasionally to maximize flavor infusion.
3
After marination, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
4
Transfer the marinated chicken into a metal baking pan or cast-iron skillet, spreading the pieces in a single even layer. Pour any remaining marinade over the chicken.
5
Bake the chicken for 1 hour, stirring and basting every 10 minutes with the marinade to keep it moist and flavorful.
6
Once cooked through, remove the chicken from the oven and transfer it to a warm serving plate. Keep it covered to retain heat.
7
Place the baking pan or skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. Deglaze with the reserved 2 tablespoons of chicken broth, scraping any bits from the bottom to incorporate all flavors.
8
Return the chicken to the pan, mix thoroughly, and let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
9
Serve the Bourbon Street Chicken warm, garnished if desired, alongside your favorite sides.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Bourbon Street Chicken?
It is a reduced-calorie and reduced-sodium version of the classic New Orleans dish, featuring tender chicken thighs in a zesty, flavorful marinade.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for one pound of boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces for maximum tenderness.
How long should the chicken marinate?
For the best flavor infusion, let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use chicken breasts, though thighs are recommended as they remain more moist during the one-hour baking process.
What are the main ingredients in the marinade?
The marinade consists of reduced sodium soy sauce, sugar substitute, garlic powder, ground ginger, onion flakes, bourbon, and chicken broth.
Is this recipe considered low calorie?
Yes, this version is designed to be lower in calories by using sugar substitutes and reduced sodium ingredients compared to traditional versions.
Do I have to use real bourbon?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of bourbon for authentic flavor, but you can substitute it with more chicken broth or apple juice if you prefer an alcohol-free version.
At what temperature should the chicken be baked?
The chicken should be baked at 350°F (175°C).
How long does the baking process take?
The chicken takes approximately 1 hour to bake, which allows the marinade to reduce and glaze the meat.
Why do I need to baste the chicken every 10 minutes?
Basting every 10 minutes ensures the chicken stays moist and is thoroughly coated in the flavorful glaze as it cooks.
What kind of pan should I use for baking?
A metal baking pan or a cast-iron skillet is recommended for even cooking and easy stovetop deglazing later.
What does it mean to deglaze the pan?
Deglazing involves adding liquid (chicken broth) to the hot pan after baking to loosen and incorporate the flavorful browned bits from the bottom.
Which sugar substitutes are recommended?
The recipe suggests using packets of sugar substitutes like Splenda or Truvia to keep the calorie count low.
Can I use regular soy sauce?
You can use regular soy sauce, but reduced sodium soy sauce is recommended to keep the dish heart-healthy.
How do I prepare the chicken before cooking?
Clean the chicken thighs and cut them into uniform, bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly and absorb the marinade well.
What should I serve with Bourbon Street Chicken?
It pairs beautifully with steamed rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Is this recipe spicy?
No, this recipe is savory and zesty due to the ginger and garlic, but it is not inherently spicy or hot.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance to save time on the day you plan to cook it.
How many people does 1 lb of chicken serve?
One pound of chicken typically serves 2 to 4 people depending on the size of the portions and side dishes served.
What is the purpose of the onion flakes?
Onion flakes add a concentrated savory flavor and a bit of texture to the marinade without the moisture of fresh onions.
Can I use fresh ginger instead of ground?
Yes, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of ground ginger with about 1 tablespoon of freshly minced ginger for a brighter flavor.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Standard soy sauce contains wheat; to make this gluten-free, use a certified gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos.
Does the alcohol in the bourbon cook off?
Most of the alcohol evaporates during the hour-long baking process, leaving behind the rich flavor of the bourbon.
Can I cook this in a slow cooker?
While intended for the oven to create a glaze, you could use a slow cooker, but you would miss the caramelization from the baking and basting process.
What makes this a 'Zesty' marinade?
The combination of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and bourbon creates a bright, tangy, and complex flavor profile.
Should the chicken be in a single layer in the pan?
Yes, spreading the chicken in a single even layer ensures that every piece cooks evenly and gets properly glazed.
Why do I add extra broth at the end?
Adding 2 tablespoons of broth at the end helps create a final sauce by deglazing the pan and keeping the chicken juicy.
Can I freeze the cooked chicken?
Yes, cooked Bourbon Street Chicken can be frozen in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months.
Is this recipe suitable for a family dinner?
Absolutely! Its sweet and savory flavor profile is generally very popular with both children and adults.