Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe
This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken recipe is a deliciously tender and flavorful dish featuring slow-cooked chicken thighs simmered in a savory bourbon sauce. The sauce is a perfect blend of bourbon whiskey, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, and spices, creating a sweet and tangy glaze that complements the juicy chicken. Easily made in a slow cooker, this recipe is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner and serves beautifully over steamed rice with garnishes of green onions and sesame seeds.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high, plus 20-30 minutes thickening
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes to 6 hours 45 minutes (including thickening)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
Sauce
- 1/2 cup bourbon whiskey
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (low sodium)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Thickening
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Optional for Browning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For Serving
- Cooked rice
- Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Optionally, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned to add extra flavor; this step is optional but recommended.
- Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, minced garlic, ground ginger, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes if using, until well combined.
- Add to Crock Pot: Place the chicken at the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the bourbon sauce mixture over the chicken, making sure the chicken is fully submerged in the sauce.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Thicken the Sauce: When the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crock pot and set aside. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Add this mixture to the sauce in the slow cooker, stir well, cover, and cook on high for an additional 20 to 30 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Shred or Leave Chicken Whole: Choose to shred the chicken using forks or leave the pieces whole based on your preference. Return the chicken to the thickened sauce and stir to coat evenly.
- Serve: Serve the bourbon chicken hot over cooked rice, garnished with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Alcohol Content: Most of the alcohol cooks off during the slow cooking, but substitute bourbon with apple juice for a non-alcoholic version.
- Chicken Options: Chicken thighs provide more juiciness and flavor, though breasts can be used if preferred.
- Make Ahead: This dish can be prepared ahead of time and reheated, which will deepen the flavors.
- Side Ideas: Complements well with steamed vegetables or stir-fried greens to create a balanced meal.
Keywords: bourbon chicken, slow cooker chicken, crock pot chicken, bourbon sauce, easy dinner recipe, comfort food, chicken thighs recipe
Find it online: https://cheframi.com/crock-pot-bourbon-chicken-recipe/
