Description
Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken is a flavorful, hearty dish that combines tender chicken thighs with a rich, savory bourbon sauce. The slow-cooking process allows the chicken to soak up the smoky, slightly sweet sauce, creating a deliciously sticky glaze that’s perfect over rice or served as an appetizer. Whether you’re preparing it for a family dinner, a casual gathering, or just craving something comforting, this dish will quickly become a favorite. The best part? It’s made effortlessly in your Crock Pot, freeing up your time while you wait for the amazing flavors to develop.
Ingredients
Scale
For a delicious batch of Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts if preferred)
- ½ cup bourbon (use a mild bourbon for best flavor)
- ¼ cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening)
- 2 tablespoons water (for mixing with cornstarch)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Green onions, chopped (for garnish, optional)
- Steamed rice (for serving)
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
- Season the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper to taste. You can trim excess fat if desired.
- Place in the Crock Pot: Arrange the chicken thighs in the bottom of the Crock Pot, making sure they’re in a single layer for even cooking.
Prepare the Sauce:
- Mix the Sauce Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic, ground ginger, onion powder, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Pour the Sauce Over Chicken: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken in the Crock Pot, ensuring the chicken is fully coated.
Slow Cook the Chicken:
- Cook on Low or High: Cover the Crock Pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be tender and easily shreddable when done.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is fully cooked, use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces, or leave it whole for a more rustic look.
Thicken the Sauce:
- Create a Slurry: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to form a slurry.
- Thicken the Sauce: Stir the slurry into the sauce in the Crock Pot and cook on high for an additional 15-20 minutes to thicken the sauce. Stir occasionally to ensure the sauce doesn’t clump.
Serve:
- Serve the Chicken: Once the sauce has thickened, serve the bourbon chicken over steamed rice or your choice of side. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired for a burst of freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours, 3-4 hours
- Category: dinner
Nutrition
- Calories: 350-400 kcal
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Protein: 28g