Stand Up and Get Super Bowl Crunk
Crunken Chicken Super Bowl style. Marinated in beer and bourbon and grilled with a bourbon molasses bbq sauce, this chicken is sure to make you get up and move!
Okay, so I’m not actually advocating you go out and get “crunk” on Super Bowl Sunday, but you can get crazy inspired with your Super Bowl party. I am really excited that my team has made it to the big game. Finally, finally, a reason to create a New Orleans-inspired Super Bowl menu! And inspired I am! When you combine great food and a New Orleans-themed soundtrack, you’ve got a musical palate that can’t be beat!
So, what exactly is “crunk?” Glad you asked. Crunk is a fusion genre of hip-hop and electro music that originated out of the concept of crunk — which means out-of-control crowd action. I’ve also heard it’s a NOLA term for “crazy drunk.” But, you know, only in the good sense of crazy, right?! This year’s awesome Saints team have fueled many great playlists, including the Ying Yang Twin’s Get Up and Get Crunk, which is played at the kick-off after every Saints Superdome touchdown (and there were a lot of this year). Crunk, crunk, crunk. I just love the word. It makes me smile!
Now, I’m not a big TV-watching sports fan. I’d rather be out doing than in watching. But I’m a football fan from way back (thanks Dad!!!) and tailgating (on site or at home) just makes the game all the more festive and fun. When I worked for HOME magazine, I was fortunate enough to have attended three Super Bowl games as the producer of HOME’s NFL Super Bowl Showhome. As amazing as those games were, I always missed those great house parties with home cooking and my good friends. So, as much as I’d like to be in Miami for the game or celebrating on Magazine Street with the great people of New Orleans, I’m happy to be hosting my own party this year — best friends, a killer menu and don’t forget the Crunken Chicken!
Music and food are typically what you think of when you think of New Orleans and it is the inspiration for the Crunken Chicken on my Super Bowl menu. Marinated in Abita Turbodog beer, bourbon, Steen’s molasses and cajun spices then grilled (or baked) in a bourbon-molasses bbq sauce, this chicken will definitely be the highlight of your game day or any day party. Check out the two menus below, one for Saints fans and one for Colts fans. Comment on FaceBook, click on the post title above (and scroll down to bottom of the post) or click here to vote for your favorite or mix and match your own. I’ll post the results on Friday!! GO SAINTS!!!
Saints Super Bowl Game Plan
Cajun Veggie Dip
Oyster Beignets
Catfish Po’Boys
Muffelatta Sliders
Kings Cake
Mini Red Velvet Cupcakes
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Colts Super Bowl Game Plan
Guacamole w/ Roasted Chile and Feta
Cheddar Cheesy Nachos
Mini Reubens with Homemade Cole Slaw
Stuffed Red Potatoes w/Sour Cream & Chives
Corn Dogs w/ Spicy Green Onion Dipping Sauce
Breaded Pork Tender;oin Sandwiches
Mini Funnel Cakes
Apple Strudel Tartlets
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RECIPE: CRUNKEN CHICKEN
Serves 4 as a meal, 8 as appetizers
1/2 cup bourbon, divided
1 12oz. bottle Abita Turbodog Beer or similar dark brown ale
1 tbl. cayenne powder
1/2 cup Steen’s molasses, divided
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1 cup minced onion
1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons (packed) brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons dry mustard
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (whole or cut into 1” nuggets)*
Marinate Chicken
Combine beer, bourbon, ¼ c. molasses, cayenne and salt in a large bowl. Add chicken, cover and marinate for ½ hour or up to 4 hours.
Prepare Bourbon-Molasses BBQ Sauce
Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; sauté until soft, about 6 minutes. Add ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, ¼ c. molasses, dry mustard, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and chili powder. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until sauce thickens, about 15 minutes. Stir in ¼ c. bourbon; cook until heated through, about 3 minutes. Season with salt. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
To Bake: Preheat oven to 425. Drain marinade from chicken. Add chicken to a 9 x 13 baking dish coated with cooking spray, Brush generously on all sides with bbq sauce, reserving some sauce for the table. and bake for approximately 20 minutes, turning after 10 minutes..
To Grill: Grill the boneless breasts or add the nuggets to a skewer. Grill over medium heat, turning to cook all sides, about 20 minutes. *Alternately, If you prefer chicken with skin on, skip the marinade, purchase 12 drumsticks, salt and pepper the chicken under the skin, cover and let sit for 30 minutes. Grill over medium heat until skin is crisp, about 25 minutes. Brush with BBQ sauce and cook until glaze is formed – about 3 more minutes. Serve all with reserved sauce.
