Bourbon Chicken with Basmati Rice

I am loving this warm weather we are finally having consistently. It's supposed to reach 60 degrees this weekend and I couldn't be more excited! I'm going down the cape this weekend with my boyfriend and his parents and if the weather is what they predict it will be, then it's going to be a perfect weekend to be down the cape.

Speaking of warm weather, this chicken dish is a great one to enjoy on a warm night. It is a perfect spring/summer meal because it is both delicious and made with bourbon! I served it with farmer's market carrots baked with a ground ginger and honey sauce. The chicken, rice and carrot dish all went perfectly together.

The marinade that the chicken is baked in and that is later poured over the rice and chicken was even more delicious than I expected it to be. The rice soaks up the sauce and completely takes on the flavor of the slightly sweet and very rich sauce made with bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar and many other flavorful ingredients.

This recipe is for sure a keeper that I will be making again and again. I recommend trying to use free range local chicken if you can find it in your area. I used local chicken I bought at the farmer's market and it cooked beautifully. I always feel so good about eating chickens that lived healthy and happy lives. Enjoy and have a great Thursday!

Bourbon Chicken with Basmati Rice:

(recipe slightly adapted from: http://pinchofyum.com/)

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup bourbon

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

3 cloves garlic, minced

4 green onions, diced

1 cup brown basmati rice

1. Combine the soy sauce, oil, vinegar, bourbon, brown sugar, ginger, garlic and green onions in a large bowl. Add in the chicken and stir to coat. Let marinade in the fridge from 30 minutes to overnight.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°. Transfer the chicken and marinade to a large baking dish and bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. While the chicken is cooking, cook the rice according to package directions.
3. Once the rice and chicken are done cooking, plate the rice and top it with the chicken. Pour some of the marinade over the top. Top with some extra green onions if desired.