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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Position chicken thighs uniformly across the bottom of the crock pot, ensuring even distribution for consistent cooking.
- 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.
- 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.
- Extract chicken carefully, transferring to a separate surface. Dismantle meat into delicate shreds using two forks, then reintegrate with remaining sauce in crock pot.
- 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.
- 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