Halle Berry’s keto friendly Bourbon Chicken recipe

Bourbon Chicken. PHOTO: Stock image

This non-alcoholic Bourbon Chicken recipe made in a cooking session (see video below) by Halle Berry and Maria Emmerich is a healthier take on the classic sweet and sour chicken. It leaves out traditional sugars and instead uses alternatives like Swerve sweetener to maintain the flavors while fitting into a healthier diet.

Despite its name, Bourbon Chicken doesn’t actually contain bourbon. The dish is named after the vibrant Bourbon Street where it was first created, not for the alcoholic beverage. It was invented by a Chinese chef who put a unique spin on the traditional sweet and sour chicken, managing to reduce the sugar while keeping the rich flavor intact.

Bourbon Chicken breast. PHOTO: Stock image

In their cooking session, Halle and her cooking partner use ingredients like tamari sauce and coconut aminos, which enrich the dish with umami flavors without overpowering it. They also focus on techniques that enhance the natural tastes of fresh ingredients such as ginger and garlic.

Halle particularly loves preparing this dish as a healthier, homemade alternative to takeout, offering a tasty and wholesome meal for her family.

Ingredients

Chicken: 1 lb, cut into bite-sized pieces
Coconut Oil: 2 tbsp
Salt: to taste
Chicken Broth: 1 cup
Tomato Sauce: 1/2 cup
Tamari Sauce: 2 tbsp (or coconut aminos as an alternative)
Swerve Sweetener: 1/4 cup (to mimic sweet and sour flavor)
Vinegar: 1 tbsp (apple cider or coconut vinegar)
Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
Red Pepper Flakes: 1 tsp (optional, adjust to heat preference)
Ginger: 1 tsp, freshly grated
Scallions: for garnish, finely chopped

Directions

STEP 1
Prepare the Pan: Heat the coconut oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until hot.

STEP 2
Sauté the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and add to the hot pan. Sauté until golden brown on all sides, not necessarily cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.

STEP 3
Make the Sauce: In the same pan, reduce heat to medium and add the chicken broth, stirring to lift any browned bits from the pan. Add the tomato sauce, tamari sauce, Swerve sweetener, vinegar, minced garlic, red pepper flakes (if using), and grated ginger. Stir well to combine.

STEP 4
Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer and allow the sauce to thicken slightly.

STEP 5
Combine and Cook: Return the chicken to the pan, stirring into the sauce. Continue to cook until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the sauce has thickened to your liking.

STEP 6
Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with chopped scallions. Serve hot, ideally with a side of cauliflower rice or a vegetable stir-fry for a complete meal.