Welcome the Flavors of Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe
Nothing beats the cozy comfort of a slow-cooked meal that fills your kitchen with warm, inviting aromas—and that’s exactly what you get with this Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe. I love how the bourbon’s caramel notes blend beautifully with the rich soy and a hint of ginger, transforming simple chicken thighs into a tender, flavorful dish you’ll want on repeat.
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want to set it and forget it, coming home to a dish that’s juicy, sticky, and downright irresistible. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or prepping for a laid-back dinner with friends, you’ll enjoy the hands-off convenience and soulful taste this recipe delivers.
Plus, it’s a great way to add a little excitement to your slow cooker lineup, with just the right balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy in every bite.
Daisy’s Top Tips
- Flavor Builder: Brown your chicken thighs in a hot skillet before adding to the crock pot for deeper caramelized flavor.
- Texture Magic: Be sure to shred the chicken after cooking to soak up that bubbly, thick sauce perfectly.
- Budget Friendly: Use chicken thighs over breasts—they’re juicier and way more forgiving in slow cooking.
- Time Saver: Prep your sauce ingredients the night before and refrigerate to speed up your morning routine.
Market Basket & Pantry Picks
Gathering fresh, quality ingredients is the first step to nailing this Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe. You won’t need anything fancy, just a few pantry staples and fresh chicken thighs. If bourbon isn’t handy, you can substitute with a splash of apple juice plus a splash of whiskey extract for a family-friendly twist.
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs (3 lbs): Tender and flavorful, perfect for slow cooking without drying out.
- Light brown sugar (1 cup): Adds that signature caramel sweetness.
- Soy sauce (1 cup): Bring in delicious umami depth—low sodium works great.
- Bourbon whiskey (⅓ cup): The star ingredient that gives the dish its unique warmth and complexity.
- Apple cider vinegar (2 tbsp): Balances the sweetness with a punchy tang.
- Ground ginger (½ tsp): Adds a subtle spicy note.
- Honey (1 tbsp): Rounds out the flavor with gentle sweetness.
- Red pepper flakes (½ tsp): For a subtle kick—adjust to suit your heat preference.
- Garlic (4 cloves, minced): Always a must for that fragrant base.
- Cornstarch (3 tbsp) and water (2 tbsp): To thicken the sauce into that glossy, sticky finish.
- Chopped green onions (¼ cup): Fresh, crisp garnish for color and bite.
Smart Shopping Ideas
Look for chicken thighs with even color and minimal fat trimming needed—that saves prep time. When choosing soy sauce, low sodium keeps the dish balanced but regular works fine too. For bourbon, go for a mid-range bottle—the flavors will concentrate as it cooks, so no need to splash out on the fanciest one. Fresh garlic and green onions can usually be found year-round, but frozen garlic works in a pinch. Stock up on cornstarch for thickening other sauces—it’s a kitchen multitasker!
Cook Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe Step by Step
Cooking this Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe is delightfully simple but delivers impressive results—here’s how to get every bit of that tender, sticky flavor just right.
- Layer the Chicken: Place trimmed chicken thighs in the crock pot’s base, letting them nestle together like a warm family hug.
- Mix the Magic Sauce: Whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, ground ginger, honey, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic until glossy and fragrant.
- Pour and Cook: Pour the sauce over the chicken, cover, and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6—letting that bourbon-infused goodness seep into every bite.
- Shred Time: Remove the chicken and chop or shred it with forks—this step lets every morsel soak up the bubbly sauce.
- Thicken the Sauce: Stir together cornstarch and water, then mix it into the crock pot. Return the shredded chicken and cook another 5–10 minutes till the sauce turns luxuriously thick and shiny.
- Final Touch: Turn off the heat and sprinkle with fresh green onions for an inviting pop of color and crunch.
Serving the Dish with Flair
This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe comes alive when served hot over fluffy white or nutty brown rice, soaking into every grain. For those low-carb nights, cauliflower rice is a wonderful swap that still lets the sauce shine. I love how this dish fits right into casual dinners but also shines when you want to dress up weeknight meals with minimal effort.
Serve It Up Right
- Perfect Pairings: Try steamed broccoli or snap peas to add color and crunch.
- Plating Magic: Scoop the chicken atop a fluffy rice bed, drizzle extra sauce, and finish with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Leftover Love: Store in airtight containers and reheat gently on the stove or microwave to keep that texture intact.
- Occasion Twist: Make sliders with shredded chicken on mini buns for a fun party bite.
Fun Variations with Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe
- Add diced pineapple for a tropical sweetness that pairs perfectly with bourbon.
- Stir in sliced bell peppers mid-cook for bursts of color and crunch.
- Swap chicken thighs for boneless pork shoulder for a different meat twist.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey to give a richer sweetness.
- Include a splash of orange juice with the bourbon for a citrusy zing.
- Top with toasted sesame seeds for an extra nutty finish.
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
- Refrigerate: Store cooked chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days—great for quick meals throughout the week.
- Freeze: Freeze portions in freezer bags for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stove over medium-low heat to keep the chicken tender and sauce bubbly—you can add a splash of water if sauce thickens too much.
- Prep Ahead: Mix the sauce ingredients the night before to save morning prep time, then just dump over chicken and cook.
Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe FAQs
- Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs? You can, but thighs stay juicier in slow cooking and lend a richer flavor.
- Do I have to use bourbon? The bourbon adds a unique warmth, but apple juice with a bit of whiskey extract can be a subtle alternative.
- How do I thicken the sauce if it’s too thin? The cornstarch slurry is key—make sure to stir it well and cook until the sauce becomes glossy and thick.
- Can this be cooked in an Instant Pot? Yes! Use the sauté function to brown chicken first, then pressure cook for about 15 minutes with natural release.
- What should I serve with Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken? Classic white rice or brown rice are ideal, along with steamed veggies or a crisp salad.
Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe
This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken recipe is a flavorful and easy slow cooker meal featuring tender chicken thighs cooked in a sweet and savory bourbon sauce. Perfect for a hands-off dinner, the dish offers a rich blend of brown sugar, soy sauce, bourbon whiskey, and aromatic spices. It’s ideal served over rice or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option, making it a comforting yet versatile entrée.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
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 & Garnish
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- ¼ cup chopped green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Add the trimmed boneless skinless chicken thighs to the bottom of your slow cooker, ensuring they are spread out evenly.
- Make the sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together light brown sugar, soy sauce, bourbon whiskey, apple cider vinegar, ground ginger, honey, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic until well combined.
- Combine and cook: Pour the prepared sauce mixture 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 thoroughly cooked and tender.
- Shred the chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and chop or shred it into your preferred texture, then set aside.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir this slurry into the sauce remaining in the slow cooker to thicken it.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, mix well with the thickened sauce, and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken further.
- Finish and garnish: Turn off the slow cooker heat. Garnish the bourbon chicken with chopped green onions before serving.
- Serving suggestion: Serve hot over white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.
Notes
- You can adjust the spiciness by varying the amount of red pepper flakes.
- For a deeper bourbon flavor, use a good quality bourbon whiskey.
- The chicken can be cooked on either high or low, but low setting gives more tender results.
- Make sure to stir the cornstarch slurry well before adding to avoid lumps.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari sauce.
