Simple Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe That’s Irresistibly Sweet

Slow-cooker bourbon chicken brings incredible flavor to your weeknight dinner repertoire.

Southern cooking traditions inspire this mouthwatering dish that combines sweet and tangy notes.

Tender chicken pieces absorb rich bourbon-infused seasonings during gentle cooking.

Minimal prep work makes this recipe perfect for busy households seeking delicious meals.

Simple ingredients create complex taste profiles that everyone will appreciate.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of smoky and sweet elements.

Dive into this comforting meal that promises to become a household favorite.

Why Bourbon Chicken Recipe Is Packed With Flavor

• Minimal Prep Magic: Toss ingredients into the crock pot and let the magic happen with virtually zero hands-on cooking time. Just combine, set, and walk away while delicious aromas fill your kitchen.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Bomb: Packed with rich bourbon-infused sauce that balances sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy notes, this dish guarantees smiles around the dinner table. Perfect for pleasing picky eaters and adventurous food lovers alike.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Serve over rice, stuff into tacos, pile onto sandwiches, or enjoy as a standalone protein. This recipe adapts to whatever culinary mood strikes, making meal planning a breeze for busy households.

Ingredients Needed For Bourbon Chicken Recipe

• Chicken Thighs: Boneless and skinless meat that provides the tender base for this delicious slow-cooked dish.

• Bourbon (or Chicken Broth): Adds a rich and complex flavor to the sauce.
• Soy Sauce: Brings a savory and salty depth to the overall taste.
• Brown Sugar: Creates a sweet and caramelized undertone in the sauce.
• Ketchup: Provides a tangy and slightly sweet component to the flavor profile.

• Garlic, Ginger, Red Pepper Flakes: These spices combine to create a bold and aromatic flavor with a hint of heat.
• Cornstarch, Water: Used to create a thickening slurry for the sauce if a more concentrated consistency is desired.

• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Add a fresh and crunchy finishing touch to the dish.

Easy Steps For Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Chicken for Cooking

Place boneless chicken thighs at the bottom of your crock pot, spreading them out evenly to ensure consistent cooking.

Step 2: Create Delicious Sauce

• Bourbon
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Ketchup
• Minced garlic
• Ginger
• Red pepper flakes

Blend everything thoroughly to create a rich, flavorful sauce.

Step 3: Combine Chicken and Sauce

Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken in the crock pot, making sure every piece is well-coated. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes tender and fully cooked.

Step 4: Shred Chicken Perfectly

Remove chicken from the crock pot and place on a plate. Using two forks, shred the chicken into delectable bite-sized pieces. Return shredded chicken back to the pot and mix with remaining sauce.

Step 5: Enhance Sauce Consistency

Create a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with water in a small bowl. Stir this mixture into the sauce to thicken. Cook on high for 15-30 minutes until sauce reaches desired consistency.

Step 6: Serve and Savor

Plate the bourbon chicken over steamed white rice. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for extra flavor and visual appeal. Enjoy your mouthwatering meal!

Tips For A Perfect Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

• Boost Chicken Tenderness: Trim excess fat from chicken thighs before cooking to ensure a more tender and lean final dish.
• Select Smart Bourbon Substitute: Replace bourbon with apple juice or chicken broth for a family-friendly version without losing depth of flavor.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Adjust cornstarch slurry carefully to prevent sauce from becoming too thick or remaining too thin.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Add a splash of rice vinegar or a teaspoon of sesame oil during sauce preparation to elevate the overall taste profile.
• Meal Prep Magic: Store leftover bourbon chicken in airtight containers for up to 4 days, making it perfect for quick weeknight meals or lunch meal prep.

Creative Twists On Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

• Spicy Bourbon Chicken: Replace red pepper flakes with sriracha sauce or add diced jalapeños for extra heat.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and gluten-free ketchup to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
• Alcohol-Free Option: Swap bourbon with apple juice or chicken broth for a non-alcoholic alternative that maintains rich flavor.
• Asian-Inspired Remix: Add hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and five-spice powder to create a more complex Asian-style bourbon chicken profile.

What To Serve With Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

• Savor Bourbon Chicken with Perfect Pairings
• Serve with Jasmine Rice: Fragrant, fluffy jasmine rice complements the rich, sweet-savory bourbon sauce beautifully, absorbing all those delicious flavors and providing a perfect base for the tender chicken.
• Match with Crisp Asian Slaw: Prepare a tangy, crunchy coleslaw with rice vinegar, sesame oil, and julienned vegetables to cut through the chicken's richness and add refreshing contrast to each bite.
• Pair with Chilled Riesling: Select a slightly sweet, low-alcohol Riesling wine that balances the dish's bourbon and brown sugar notes, creating a harmonious flavor experience that enhances the meal's complexity.

How To Store Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe Properly

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Transfer chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, label with date, and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warmed.
• Pour chicken into a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture. Stir gently and heat until completely warmed through, about 5-7 minutes.

FAQs About Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

• What is bourbon chicken, and does it actually contain bourbon?

Bourbon chicken is a popular dish that typically features chicken cooked in a sweet and tangy sauce. While the recipe often includes bourbon, you can substitute it with chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version.

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?

Yes, you can use chicken breasts, but chicken thighs are recommended because they’re more tender and flavorful. Chicken breasts tend to dry out more easily in slow cookers.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has a mild heat from red pepper flakes, but you can adjust the amount or omit them completely if you prefer a milder flavor. The sauce is more sweet and savory than spicy.

Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes – 7 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Succulent Bourbon Chicken simmers with Southern charm, delivering rich Kentucky-inspired flavors straight from your slow cooker. Tender meat glazed in a sweet-tangy sauce promises a comforting meal you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Liquid and Sweeteners:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) bourbon (or chicken broth for non-alcoholic version)
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) soy sauce
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) ketchup

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (around 3 cloves)
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup (15 grams) green onions, chopped

Thickening Agent (Optional):

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water

Serving Suggestions:

• Cooked white rice
• Sesame seeds (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Position chicken thighs uniformly across the bottom of the crock pot, ensuring even distribution for consistent cooking.
2. Create a robust sauce by vigorously whisking bourbon (or chicken broth), soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl until ingredients integrate smoothly.
3. Thoroughly drench chicken with prepared sauce, confirming complete coverage. Secure crock pot lid and initiate cooking process at low temperature (6-7 hours) or high temperature (3-4 hours) until chicken reaches optimal tenderness.
4. Extract chicken carefully, transferring to a separate surface. Dismantle meat into delicate shreds using two forks, then reintegrate with remaining sauce in crock pot.
5. For enhanced sauce consistency, blend cornstarch with water to generate a smooth slurry. Incorporate mixture into sauce, elevating crock pot temperature to high and simmering 15-30 minutes until desired thickness develops.
6. Present bourbon chicken atop steamed white rice, accentuating with freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds for a visually appealing and flavor-rich culinary experience.

Notes

• Opt for chicken thighs to guarantee maximum juiciness and tenderness during slow cooking.
• Swap bourbon with apple juice or chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version that maintains rich flavor profile.
• Reduce sugar content by using monk fruit sweetener or cutting brown sugar quantity for lower-calorie alternative.
• Enhance meal’s nutrition by serving over cauliflower rice or adding steamed vegetables for extra fiber and vitamins.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3-7 hours
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg