Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe
Introduction
This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken is a deliciously tender and flavorful dish that comes together effortlessly in your slow cooker. The savory-sweet sauce infused with bourbon creates a perfect balance that will have you coming back for seconds. It’s ideal for busy days when you want a comforting meal ready to go.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- Green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: In a slow cooker, combine the chicken thighs, bourbon, soy sauce, minced garlic, minced ginger, and brown sugar.
- Step 2: Stir everything together until the chicken is well coated in the sauce.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Step 4: About 30 minutes before serving, mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl until smooth, then add this mixture to the slow cooker to thicken the sauce.
- Step 5: Serve the chicken with the sauce spooned over rice and garnish with chopped green onions.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the bourbon sauce for an hour before cooking.
- Use boneless chicken thighs if you prefer easier serving and eating.
- Substitute brown sugar with honey or maple syrup for a different sweet note.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat in your dish.
Storage
Store leftover bourbon chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through. The sauce may thicken after refrigeration; add a splash of water when reheating if needed to loosen it.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, chicken breasts work fine, but they may cook faster and can dry out more easily. Adjust cooking time accordingly and consider cooking on low for a shorter period.
Is the alcohol in bourbon fully cooked off?
Slow cooking reduces much of the alcohol content, but traces may remain. If you want to avoid alcohol, you can substitute bourbon with apple juice or chicken broth and a splash of vanilla extract for a similar flavor profile.
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Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes to 8 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken recipe offers tender, flavorful chicken thighs simmered in a rich bourbon sauce with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Slow cooking ensures juicy meat infused with a sweet and savory glaze, perfect served over rice and garnished with fresh green onions for a comforting and easy meal.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Thickening Sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Garnish
- Green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a slow cooker, add the chicken thighs along with bourbon, soy sauce, minced garlic, minced ginger, and brown sugar. Stir gently to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce ingredients.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the low setting for 6 to 8 hours, or on the high setting for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Thicken the Sauce: About 30 minutes before the cooking time ends, mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Stir this mixture into the slow cooker to thicken the sauce around the chicken.
- Serve: Once the sauce has thickened and chicken is fully cooked, serve the bourbon chicken over rice. Garnish with chopped green onions to add freshness and color.
Notes
- You can use chicken breasts if preferred, but thighs provide more flavor and moisture.
- The bourbon flavor will mellow during slow cooking, but do not cook with an open flame to avoid alcohol hazards.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar to taste.
- For a thicker sauce, let the slow cooker cook uncovered for the last 15 minutes after adding the cornstarch mixture.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a side salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: bourbon chicken, slow cooker chicken, crock pot recipes, easy chicken dinner, bourbon sauce, slow cooker bourbon chicken
