This Crockpot bourbon chicken is rich, savory, and so delicious! This mouthwatering dish combines tender, juicy chicken with a luxurious bourbon-infused sauce.
The brown sugar and honey add just the right amount of sweetness. The magic really happens in the slow cooker, letting all those flavors meld together over a few hours.
And trust me, the aroma that fills the kitchen is pure comfort!
When it’s finally ready, I love serving it over a bed of fluffy steamed rice. Trust me, you’ll love it!
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Bourbon Chicken
Rich, Savory Taste: This recipe has a delightful combination of sweet, tangy, and savory notes, making every bite a memorable experience.
Easy Preparation: It requires minimal prep work, making it perfect for busy days. Simply mix the ingredients, set your slow cooker, and let it do the magic.
Perfect for Gatherings: This dish is ideal for entertaining guests, offering a crowd-pleasing and impressive option.
Versatile Pairing: Serve this bourbon chicken over steamed rice, noodles, or even mashed potatoes. It’s delicious, regardless!
Ingredients
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: Tender and juicy, these chicken thighs soak up the rich flavors of the bourbon sauce.
- Bourbon Whiskey: It adds a deep, smoky flavor and a hint of sweetness to the dish.
- Sauce Ingredients: The blend of soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes creates a sweet, savory, and spicy sauce.
- Cornstarch: It thickens the sauce to a velvety consistency.
- Sliced Green Onions: They add a pop of freshness and color to the finished dish.
How to Make Crockpot Bourbon Chicken
This chicken is as easy as it gets!
1. Season the chicken. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and place them in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
2. Prepare the sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together the bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes until well combined. Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker.
3. Slow cook. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours until the chicken is very tender.
4. Thicken the sauce. Remove the chicken pieces with a slotted spoon and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker.
5. Finish the cooking. Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 20-30 minutes until the sauce is thickened. Add the chicken back into the slow cooker and stir to coat with the sauce.
6. Serve. Serve the bourbon chicken over steamed rice and garnish with sliced green onions. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Crockpot Bourbon Chicken
This recipe is impossible to mess up, but these tips make it incredible.
- Choose tender meat. Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the most tender and flavorful result.
- Treat yourself! For the best flavor, choose a good-quality bourbon like Maker’s Mark, Bulleit, or Woodford Reserve.
- Thicken it up. At the end, use a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce for a glossy, coat-the-spoon consistency.
- Make it pretty. Top with sliced green onions for a fresh, colorful finish.
- Spice it up. Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your desired level of heat.
- Have fun variations. Add diced onions or bell peppers to the slow cooker for extra flavor and texture.
- Serve it up right. Serve over steamed rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice, and pair with a green vegetable like broccoli or green beans.
- Throw it in the Instant Pot. This recipe can also be made in an Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, then thicken the sauce using the sauté function.
How to Store
To Store: Store the cooked chicken in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Ensure the container is tightly sealed to prevent any leakage or contamination.
To Freeze: Freeze the cooked chicken in an air-tight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as desired.
To Reheat: Reheat the chicken in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through. You can also reheat it in the slow cooker on LOW for 1-2 hours.
Crockpot Bourbon Chicken
6
servings5
minutes4
hours30
minutes294
kcalThis Crockpot bourbon chicken is savory, hearty, and so delicious! Served it over rice or mashed potatoes for a feast to remember.
Ingredients
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup bourbon whiskey
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
Sliced green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and place them in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes until well combined. Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours until the chicken is very tender.
- Remove the chicken pieces with a slotted spoon and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 20-30 minutes until the sauce is thickened. Add the chicken back into the slow cooker and stir to coat with the sauce.
- Serve the bourbon chicken over steamed rice and garnish with sliced green onions. Enjoy!
