Bourbon Chicken and Forbidden Rice

The combination of sweet Bourbon Chicken with nutty Forbidden Rice is fantastic!!

Bourbon Chicken

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite sized pieces
2 tbs olive oil
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 to 1 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce or apple juice
2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
4 tbs ketchup
1 tbs apple cider vinegar
2/3 cup gluten free soy sauce
1 cup water
2 tbs corn starch plus a little water to dissolve it in

In a large skillet heat the olive oil.
Add the chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned but not cooked through.
In a medium bowl dissolve all the remaining ingredients except the corn starch.
Pour the sauce over the chicken.
Bring the sauce up to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
Add the corn starch dissolved in a little water and cook until just thickened.

Forbidden Rice

1 cup forbidden rice
2 cups water

Rinse the forbidden rice until the water runs clear.
In a medium sauce pan with a tight fitting lid bring the water up to a boil.
Add the forbidden rice and bring back up to the boil.
Cover, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 25 minutes.
Turn off the heat and allow to set 10 minutes more without removing the lid.
Fluff with a fork and serve.