Bourbon Chicken: the takeout flavor, no bourbon, no soy, no nightshade

The sweet-savory pull of a takeout chicken is a real craving, and this version answers it honestly. Despite the name there is no actual bourbon in it, no soy, and no tomato, made instead from coconut aminos, nomato sauce, and real spice.

The savory edge comes from coconut aminos in place of soy, and the body of the sauce from nomato sauce in place of tomato, which keeps the whole dish nightshade-free. The chicken thighs are a source of protein and zinc, which is involved in immune regulation and tissue repair. Ginger gives it warmth. Arrowroot, not flour, brings the sauce together at the end. The 1/2 cup of honey across 4 servings gives the sauce its shine, so use a light hand if you want it milder.

It comes together fast in one pan. Serve it over cauliflower rice, with something green alongside, and take a moment to thank the animal that fed you before you start.

Ingredients

• coconut oil
• 1.5 lb chicken thighs
• garlic
• onion
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup coconut aminos
• 2 tablespoons nomato sauce (no-tomato sauce)
• apple cider vinegar
• ground ginger
• apple juice
• arrowroot powder (thickener)
• sea salt
• black pepper (OMITTED for AIP, it is a seed spice and an elimination-phase exclusion)

Method

Sear the chicken thighs in coconut oil, about 5 minutes per side, then set them aside.

In the same pan, bring the sauce ingredients to a boil, that is everything except the apple juice and arrowroot.

Return the chicken to the pan and simmer for about 20 minutes, until cooked through.

Stir together the apple juice and arrowroot into a slurry, add it to the pan, and boil for about 3 minutes, until the sauce thickens.

Instant Pot variation

Use the saute function to sear the thighs in coconut oil, then add the sauce ingredients (except the apple juice and arrowroot) and pressure cook or simmer until the chicken is cooked through. Switch back to saute, stir in the apple juice and arrowroot slurry, and let it thicken. Timing for the pressure step is untested here, so check the chicken for doneness before finishing the sauce.

*Adapted from a-clean-plate*