Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Introduction

This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that combines tender chicken thighs with a sweet and tangy bourbon sauce. Perfect for busy days, it slow-cooks to juicy perfection and pairs beautifully with rice or steamed veggies.

Ingredients

• 3 Pounds Chicken Thighs (Boneless, skinless)
• 1 Cup Light Brown Sugar
• 1 Cup Soy Sauce
• 1/3 Cup Bourbon Whisky
• 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Ginger
• 1 Tablespoon Honey
• 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
• 4 Cloves Garlic
• 3 Tablespoons Cornstarch
• 2 Tablespoons Water
• 1/4 Cup Green Onions

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the trimmed chicken thighs into the slow cooker.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the light brown sugar, soy sauce, bourbon whisky, apple cider vinegar, ground ginger, honey, red pepper flakes, and garlic.
3. Step 3: Pour the mixture over the chicken thighs in the slow cooker.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours.
5. Step 5: Remove the chicken thighs and roughly chop them.
6. Step 6: In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in water and whisk until smooth.
7. Step 7: Pour the cornstarch mixture into the sauce in the slow cooker and whisk to combine.
8. Step 8: Return the chopped chicken to the sauce, stir well, cover, and cook until the sauce bubbles, then turn off the slow cooker.
9. Step 9: Sprinkle with chopped green onions and serve warm over rice.

Tips & Variations

• For extra depth, marinate the chicken in the sauce for an hour before cooking.
• Adjust the red pepper flakes to control the spiciness to your preference.
• Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs for a leaner option, though cooking time may vary.
• Try adding vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli in the last hour of cooking for added texture and nutrition.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or on the stove until warmed through. You can also freeze the cooked chicken and sauce for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of alcohol instead of bourbon?

Yes, you can substitute bourbon with whiskey or even omit the alcohol altogether. Adding a splash of apple juice or broth can help maintain the sauce’s flavor balance.

Is it necessary to chop the chicken before adding the cornstarch mixture?

Chopping the chicken helps it absorb more sauce and makes it easier to serve, but you can leave the thighs whole if preferred. Just be sure to stir gently when adding the cornstarch mixture to avoid breaking the pieces.

Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 105 reviews

This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken recipe offers tender, flavorful chicken thighs slow-cooked in a rich and slightly sweet bourbon sauce. Perfect for an easy yet impressive meal, this dish combines the warmth of bourbon, soy sauce, and spices, enhanced by garlic and green onions. It’s a simple slow cooker recipe that results in a deeply satisfying dinner served best over rice.

• Author: Amaya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours (high) or 6 hours (low)
• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes (high) or 6 hours 15 minutes (low)
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 3 Pounds Chicken Thighs (Boneless, skinless)

Sauce

• 1 Cup Light Brown Sugar
• 1 Cup Soy Sauce
• 1/3 Cup Bourbon Whisky
• 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Ginger
• 1 Tablespoon Honey
• 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
• 4 Cloves Garlic, minced

Thickening

• 3 Tablespoons Cornstarch
• 2 Tablespoons Water

Garnish

• 1/4 Cup Green Onions, chopped

Instructions

1. Prepare Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the boneless, skinless chicken thighs and place them evenly into the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. Mix Sauce Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine light brown sugar, soy sauce, bourbon whiskey, apple cider vinegar, ground ginger, honey, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic. Whisk together until thoroughly mixed.
3. Add Sauce to Chicken: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken thighs in the slow cooker, ensuring all pieces are coated.
4. Cook Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours, until chicken is tender and fully cooked.
5. Chop Chicken: Carefully remove the cooked chicken thighs from the slow cooker and place them on a plate. Roughly chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
6. Prepare Thickening Slurry: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and forms a smooth slurry.
7. Thicken Sauce: Pour the cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker sauce. Whisk gently to combine with the sauce.
8. Recombine and Heat: Return the chopped chicken into the slow cooker with the thickened sauce, stirring to coat the pieces well. Cover and let it cook until the sauce begins to bubble again, then turn off the slow cooker.
9. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped green onions over the bourbon chicken. Serve immediately over cooked rice for a complete meal.

Notes

• For best flavor, use fresh minced garlic and freshly chopped green onions.
• You can substitute chicken breasts if preferred, but adjust cooking time accordingly to avoid drying out the meat.
• If you don’t have bourbon whisky, a bourbon-flavored vanilla extract may be used but will alter flavor slightly.
• To thicken the sauce more, increase cornstarch to 4 tablespoons and adjust water proportionally.
• This dish freezes well; store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

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