Every day I have a list of things to do that I try to ignore ahem I mean attend to. Some days, good days, I can strike off a few things from the list while other days the list just sits there judging me. One item that I almost let slip was my driver’s license renewal. Those of you that have been reading for a while know how happy I was to finally progress from a learner’s license to a provisional license because I honestly thought that I would be on my L’s until I was in my 80s. Instead of getting my full license, I had to progress from a provisional 1 to a provisional 2 license.
In the nick of time I sat for my provisional 2 test. Thankfully I passed and I was now the owner of a completely fugly new driver’s license photo. I did consider asking if I could sit for the photo again as it was dubious at best. I was doubly alarmed because I was going to do a little bite of shooting with Discovery Channel in a few day’s time. I cannot wait to share that with you! 
I decided to reduce the amount of dairy and wheat in my diet as I am aware that I am slightly intolerant of both but also in quite a bit of denial about it. When I eat serves of both, my face gets a bit puffy and so I thought that with only a few days to go until the shoot, I could at least give myself a fighting chance of looking halfway decent. Cutting out both categories is a challenge – the afternoon that I decided to do it (approximately 10 minutes after receiving said hideous license photo), I was headed to lunch where there was a splendid cheese platter and crackers. I took a bite before realising that I was eating both dairy and wheat and reluctantly put them down.
I should have perhaps thought about it a bit more and shopped for it beyond buying a carton of soy milk. Dinner consisted of steamed broccoli and a cup of green peas. I did manage to find myself a caveat and found solace in some dark chocolate and nuts but realised that this was not the balanced diet that I was seeking.
The next morning, I defrosted some chicken breasts that I had stowed in the freezer and decided to do something with Asian flavours as Asian recipes don’t usually require dairy and not a lot of wheat (ok there was soy sauce did but I was starving by this point). I made a bourbon chicken recipe not really hoping for much, certainly nothing I could post about here, but what I ended up with was a really easy, simple and tasty chicken dish that I will make again and again, even when I’m not on a ridiculous eating regime.
The sauce is easy and you could use any cut of chicken, drumsticks, wings or breasts as I did. The chicken and vegetables are browned in a pan and then popped in the oven for an hour. The sauce that comes out of it is gorgeous and for those wanting to make this for a family, the bourbon and alcohol is totally cooked off so you get a wonderful flavour, not unlike a Thai or Chinese dish (the sweetness reminded me of Thai) that is just made for rice to soak it up. And by all means, make double the amount of sauce if you have the bourbon to spare. If, I said
So tell me Dear Reader, do you change your diet or exercise more when you have to go somewhere special? and do you cook much with alcohol?
Chinese Bourbon Chicken
An Original Recipe by Not Quite Nigella
Serves 2-3 people with steamed rice
- 500g/1 pound chicken pieces (I used boneless skinless breasts, you can also used diced chicken)
- 1-2 tablespoons oil
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled but left whole
- 1-2 red capsicums or peppers, halved, cored and sliced thinly
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup bourbon whisky
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
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69 Comments | Add your own
I’m a bit lactose intolerant too and I gain weight very easily with carbs because I simply love it. Everyday at some point, and every week I remembering about eating small portion and avoid food that put me more weight. But when the food is in front of me, I simply forget… so stupid but I just forget about my decision! You will look gorgeous as usual and nothing to worry about! I can’t wait to hear more about the shoot. Also, this chicken looks delicious! I don’t drink much alcohol so I have no idea how this would taste like. Looks delicious!
A delicious dish! That combination of ingredients makes my mouth water…
Cheers,
Rosa
Thanks for stating peppers in the recipe, so very nice of you! This looks and sounds wonderful; I love it when a spur of the moment recipe comes together like that and is an all time hit.
Yes, I do change my diet for special occasions, particularly if I want to drop a pound or two.
I can hardly wait to hear what is going on with Discovery Channel, so exciting.
The bourbon is a really interesting addition to this – I bet it adds depth and richness. I’m looking forward to trying this!
I love this dish! Although I have never had bourbon in the house I am going to get some because this is right up my alley
Gives new meaning to drunken chicken. Yum!
Mmm simple and sounds delicious … You’re making me hungry and it’s only 7:25am!!
I’m a fan of using wine in my risotto’s and casseroles…. Oh and my NQN guinness cupcakes!!
According to dietetic stats there is an 85% likelihood that people of SE Asian heritage are dairy-intolerant (as well as Maoris, Polynesians, Africans, Eastern Europeans). Try going at least 4 days between ingestion (how long it takes the liver to be free of the effect of any one food). You could switch to tamari for wheat-free soy sauce. See my clinical nutrition website where all recipes are dairy and gluten-free: maria@mariamiddlestead.co.nzYou can have your glam food experiences plus good health as well!
That looks like great comfort food. Congrats on your licence – my daughter is about to sit her test! And it’s always been a mystery to me why the photo has to be you at your very worst. It’s very unkind xx
Yum indeed! Can I ask if you chopped up the breasts after putting them through the oven?
I briefly tried going vegetarian when I was 6 because my cool friend was but immediately forgot when I got home to a plate of mum’s soy chicken =p
That bourbon sauce sounds fantastic for chicken and I am loving your rice bowls!
Wow, that looks great, and a bonus that it was thrown together as an experiment. I do cook with alcohol a fair bit – may be I am attracted to those recipes!
LOL Lorraine, it’s a killer isn’t it when you realise that you are just about to blow the opportunity for a flat belly, especially when you need to look svelte for an occasion! Dairy, wheat, yeast etc are problematic for me too, so I can sympathise. Nice recipe.
The news on your involvement with The Discovery Channel sounds exciting.
I just love it when great dishes come together with things you have on hand! I am looking so forward to swing what you do with the Discovery Channel – how exciting!
I cook with wine all the time but not such much with spirits except in desserts.. though Im planning the vodka chilli cake soon.
oooh delightful!
You don’t have to change your diet. You always look amazing!
That being said, any sauce with soy and bourbon is bound to make me an instant fan.
I love to add alcohol into what I cook, of course I cann’t do that very often because my kids, but I don’t know, it’s like the alcohol gives that touch of flavor very special to the meals and of course dessert.
My sort of meal. No I don’t change my diet as I don’t let my photo be taken!
Appetizing and easy way to cope with chicken: actually just found I had taken chicken wings out of the freezer last night and not the pork I had planned
! Hadn’t labelled it, had I! So shall tweak the bourbon, of which there is none in the liquor cabinet, for good old single malt scotch, which is there 
!
I’m also in denial of how my body reacts to wheat
I like drinking bourbon, so I’ll definitely have to try this recipe! Yum, and healthy too
yum Lorraine …. hey i am currently learning to drive and i am 37 can you believe that … anyway i have made up my mind so fingers crossed that i get to the point of passing the test …. and i will def have to try that recipe
I thank all the stomach gods that I am able to eat pretty much anything, I then shake my fist at them that I gain weight very easily… so not fair.
Love the heavy dash of bourbon in the chicken dish… must be delish.
Good luck on your shoot.
Paul Newman used to stick his head in a sink full of ice and water in the morning to get rid of puff… it certainly worked for him!!!
Ooh I’m excited to hear about your adventures! I hope you’re not struggling too much with the ‘regime.’ Love that you forgot you weren’t eating wheat or dairy when you got into the cheese!
This sounds delish! I’ve not cooked with bourbon before, definitely giving this one a go.
My quick look-good-diet-changeup is vegetable soup! I make a huge batch and keep some in the freezer. It fills me up without calories, tastes good, and means I can still eat special occasion foods without feeling guilty
This sounds delicious! I don’t cook with chicken much (I find it kind of boring) but I think that the right recipe could convince me to cook some chook!
I went to the gym Mon and Wed so I could go to Jamie’s Italian on Thursday lol
That’s very cute about being in denial about wheat/dairy intolerance. Very few are that honest.
I had a patient this morning who said it will be very difficult to avoid dairy products as she really enjoys eating cheese and yoghurt, so what can she do. I replied that people do enjoy the foods they eat; that’s why they eat them!
Generally the sicker they are, the more willing they are to make diet changes.
I find Asian restaurants pretty much impossible when it comes to gluten, due to all the sauces and things being coated in corn starch, which is actually made of wheat. Plus there are sometimes language barriers.
Oh yum
This is definitely what I call Chinese comfort food hehe warm chicken for dinner YUM ~
I didn’t know you were slightly lactose and gluten intolerant because you always make those yummy cakes ~
I try to be good a couple of days before I go to a special event but I never had enough time to ‘lose’ any weight hehe
Ahhhhh, I had to renew my license this year too, and work was so hectic and life so frantic that the only time I had to do it was the day before my birthday (deadline) when, of course, I was attacked by the flu. SUCH A GOOD PHOTO I’m really sexy yep.
You’ve totally reminded me of the stirfry recipe that I used to make when I lived at home – it used beer, rosemary, and pepper. Mmmm good good.
This combines bbq and Chinese…yum!
I love bourbon and it’s so good to see it being used in a Chinese dish. Can’t wait to try it!
Ai-Ling
What a great looking meal, quite easy too at that. Love how you’ve presented it. Feels like i should be eating it off the streets somewhere in asia
That’s one of the process of getting your license, so many steps! Are you getting your license to fly a rocket into the space?!
Can’t wait to hear about your Discovery Channel adventure…
I always watch what I eat, no, cross that, I eat healthy, I just like healthy food, but even healthy food you can overeat. So I exercise. Tomorrow we have an important event, and I’ve been running extra miles all week long, and hope to run tomorrow too.
I love cooking with alcohol but I’ve never cooked chicken breasts for an hour before. I’ll try this.
Good luck with the shoot.
Bourbon and savoury food – a revelation, yes please!
Oh my goodness! I attended a whisky + food-matching dinner a few nights ago (see my blog for a review) and have been craving whisky today when I came across this post. This sounds like an amazing recipe and I will definitely give it a go either this weekend or next weekend – it’ll give me an excuse to buy a bottle of bourbon
I was like you, I left getting my Ps at the very last minute. My learner’s permit actually expires in December this year so I only have a few months to learn how to drive like a pro, heh!
Your Chinese bourbon chicken.
My Shiraz gochujang pork.
Great minds think alike eh? Hehehehe.
This morning my mom made red wine taucu pork.
First off..I admire you for taking a healthier route to eating. I try, but it never works..I’m a cream and butter fiend! That said, if I could eat this Chinese Bourbon chicken every day..I’m pretty sure I could forgo the vutter and cream for a while – it looks SO incredibly good! On another note..I can’t ever imagine you taking a bad photo..even if it is a drivers license photo. Last one I took, in ’09, I didn’t even look at..I just shoved it in my wallet and went about my merry way. Still haven’t looked lol
OH..I forgot, PLEASE let me know when you’re spot on the Discovery Channel is! Congratulations on it, and I can’t wait to see it!!
When you love food and don’t have a fabulous metabolism, weight is a constant struggle. After the winter months and lots of eating, I am trying to shed a few kilos. I have started running every morning and try to eat healthier (because I eat reasonably healthy to begin with) but refuse to diet because it just triggers anxiety! Looks like you and Tori are going through a similar phase right now!
I find that I can get into shape quite quickly when I go low-carb and cut out all sugar, wheat, and dairy (basically following a Paleo style of eating). However, I need some sort of social event as an impetus to kick-start my diet, and currently there’s nothing marked on my calendar!
Good luck for your shoot, and stay strong
This does sound like a great recipe – one I will have to try. Now, I have a theory as to why licence photos are so terrible. My thinking is this….if pulled over by the police for a random licence check (or for speeding) the last thing I am going to do is appear pretty and calm. I am more likely to look like that horrid photo on my licence – manic and slightly stressed!
Its so hard to avoid your ‘trigger’ foods if you’re not prepared
I think all license and passport photos are vague representations at best and should never be allowed to damage our self esteem. If they do get to you, comfort food like this yummy chicken is a great remedy- especially if you sneak a swig or two as you go 
There’s not much better than sticky Asian sauces over steamed rice. Definitely trying this one!
Oh Lorraine, you are a funny gal!Sadly for me, I don’t have any food intolerances to blame on how I look, lol. I’d love to have a svelte figure but I’m not prepared to forego all the delicious food in the world to achieve it. I can’t tear myself away from food, food blogs, cooking books/TV shows, so what chance do I have?
This recipe looks so delicious and easy for a mid-week meal.I do like to cook with alcohol, be it in sweet or savoury dishes ( and a glass in hand as well)
Looking forward to hearing all about your Discovery Channel adventure and please let us know if and when it’s going to be aired.
Chicken and bourbon! Yes, please! What a wonderful combination. One that must be tried soon!
I want to make this at the schools where I work. We do well with things that need an hour in the oven, however I may not have bourbon on school grounds.Imagine that.
What else might due? Maybe cola?
Your thoughts?
It truly looks delicious!
I am so happy to see this post because:
a) Your pan looks like mine
b) I love bourbon chicken but never had a recipe
c) My licence picture looks hideous too.
I can’t wait to hear all about your discovery adventure.
Nice healthy recipe! I need to look at my to-do-list too…..loose weight! And with only 49 days until my wedding anniversary I am officially now in panic mode!!! HELP!!!
Hello visiting your blog from KL. Have seen your name in some of my Aussie friends food blog.
I usually just eat less and walk more if I need to lose some *ahem* weight.
Love the idea of bourbon in this – I love cooking with alcohol although I like to burn it off so the flavour is not TOO boozy
This is SO delicious, Lorraine!! If I were served this I could honestly eat it with a mountain of rice. You’d have to stop me haha. And adding whiskey actually is quite a Chinese thing to do in homecooking, contrary to popular belief! Though most families only do it for special occasions but it really is quite common especially for Chinese families in Malaysia, mainly for braising and stews… Seeing you add this to your cooking really hits home. Will have to make this sometime! =D
This looks lovely. If I can legitimately get some JD in my diet then I’m all for it
. I cook with Marsala, red and white wine quite a bit. I have a fav Christmas recipe where you bake a ham with a bourbon and brown sugar glaze. You serve it with apricots roasted with Marsala. It’s amazing!!
I too have issues with dairy, wheat, caffeine and alcohol. I’m in denial on all 4. It being Friday night last night I pushed the boat out and had 2 glasses of lovely Victorian Moscato (low alcohol for goodness sake!). I feel more like I had 2 bottles this morning
Turned out brilliant. Substituted brandy for the Bourbon and used 1 each of red and green capsicum.
Thanks for sharing this recipe. A delicious Saturday night meal that was so easy.
No food allergies on me, but I usually intensify my exercise routine before trips or events with the possibility of photo ops. (I’m the indulgent, gluttonous sort. But I’d rather run a mile on a treadmill than cut down on food!)
As for cooking with alcohol, I like adding wine to pasta sauces, rice wine in Oriental dishes, and rum in most sweets.
This looks like such a hearty and comforting meal.
It’s been a long time since I’ve had a good Chinese dish but this looks amazing. Will have to make this for my parents to try!
I eat fairly low carb but if I have some big event coming up, I go to extreme low carb with only consuming pretty much meat, cheese and eggs. It’s a good way to drop a few pounds.
dairy and wheat free doesn’t sound so awful until you mention a cheese platter – that is something I love – good luck with avoiding them – we went to a bakery cafe for lunch today and it was wheat-a-rama but I was surprised there was a bit of vegan baking
discovery channel? ooooooh! yes, i do a lot of baking with alcohol, primarily bourbon. the very smell of it makes me a little nauseated, but i’ve learned how to mouth-breathe so i don’t have to sniff it.
Hi Dirtgirl-I’m so pleased that you liked it! And good to know that you can use other alcohols. I’d imagine brandy would be great!
What an easy recipe that sounds absolutely delicious (I’m Southern and we like our bourbon!). Will definitely bookmark it.
I cook with alcohol fairly often, but almost never with bourbon. Wine, cognac, vermouth, sherry, port, rum, vodka–but just not bourbon. Hmmmmm….
I have all of those ingredients in my kitchen… HUZZAH!
I made this tonight and it was absolutely delicious.Thank you
Hi Kylie! That’s wonderful! Thanks letting us know
What a fantastic last minute meal xoxo Mum
I hate having my photo taken and I am invariably watching what I eat … but I can’t resist yummy food, particularly if I’m travelling or someone else is cooking!
Congrats on getting your license and also on the Discovery Channel shooting — that is so exciting!!
I think I might have a slight intolerance to wheat also, but I’m still (a little bit) in the denial phase, lol. I need to work on that.
The chicken looks fantastic, healthy and delicious!
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