Description

This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken recipe is a deliciously tender and flavorful dish where boneless skinless chicken thighs are slow-cooked in a rich bourbon-infused sauce. The perfect blend of brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and a hint of spice creates a sweet and savory meal that is incredibly easy to prepare and ideal for cozy weeknight dinners or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

3 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed

Sauce

1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup soy sauce
⅓ cup bourbon whiskey
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
½ teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
4 cloves garlic, minced

Thickening Slurry

3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water

Garnish

¼ cup chopped green onions

Instructions

Prepare the chicken: Trim the boneless skinless chicken thighs to remove any excess fat and spread them evenly at the bottom of your slow cooker.
Make the sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the light brown sugar, soy sauce, bourbon whiskey, apple cider vinegar, ground ginger, honey, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic until fully combined.
Combine and cook: Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Cover with the lid and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Shred the chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and shred or chop it into your preferred texture. Set aside.
Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir this slurry into the remaining sauce in the slow cooker to thicken it.
Combine chicken and sauce: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and mix thoroughly with the thickened sauce. Cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken further.
Finish and garnish: Turn off the slow cooker. Garnish the bourbon chicken with chopped green onions before serving.
Serving suggestion: Serve the bourbon chicken hot over white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.

Notes

For a lower sodium version, use low-sodium soy sauce.
Adjust the red pepper flakes depending on your preferred spice level.
Leftover bourbon chicken stores well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freezes nicely.
Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the best texture and flavor.
Ensure the cornstarch slurry is fully dissolved before adding to avoid lumps in the sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours (high) or 6 hours (low)
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Crock Pot Chicken, Bourbon Chicken, Slow Cooker Recipe, Easy Dinner, Comfort Food, Chicken Thighs, Make Ahead Meal