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Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

4.8 from 138 reviews

This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken recipe is a delightful slow-cooked dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken thighs simmered in a rich, sticky bourbon sauce infused with soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and warming spices. Easy to prepare and perfect served over a bed of fluffy rice, it offers a wonderful balance of savory, sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors that make for a comforting and crowd-pleasing meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

Sauce

  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Thickening

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water

To Garnish and Serve

  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • Cooked rice, for serving

Instructions

  1. Gather Your Ingredients: Collect all the ingredients needed for the recipe to ensure a smooth cooking process. Having everything prepared helps keep you organized and speeds up the preparation.
  2. Prepare the Chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces to promote even cooking and better absorption of the sauce. You may substitute chicken breasts if preferred, but keep the pieces uniformly sized.
  3. Mix the Sauce: In a large bowl, thoroughly whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, bourbon, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, ground ginger, and optional red pepper flakes until smooth and slightly thick. This flavorful sauce will infuse the chicken with its signature taste.
  4. Combine Ingredients in the Crock Pot: Place the chicken pieces into the crock pot and pour the prepared sauce over them. Stir gently to coat the chicken evenly, ensuring each piece is immersed in the flavorful liquid.
  5. Set the Cooking Time: Cover the crock pot and set to cook on low for 4-6 hours for tender, slow-cooked chicken. Alternatively, set on high for 2-3 hours if short on time, but low and slow is preferred for best texture and flavor.
  6. Thicken the Sauce: About 30 minutes before serving, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir this into the crock pot to thicken the sauce and create a glossy, sticky coating on the chicken.
  7. Serve and Garnish: Spoon the bourbon chicken over cooked rice and garnish with sliced green onions for a fresh, vibrant finish. Enjoy this comforting and flavorful dish with family and friends.

Notes

  • You can use chicken breasts instead of thighs if preferred, but thighs yield a more tender and flavorful result.
  • Adjust the amount of brown sugar for a sweeter or more savory sauce according to taste.
  • For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes or add fresh chili.
  • Make sure to mix the cornstarch slurry well into the crock pot to avoid lumps when thickening the sauce.
  • Serving over steamed white or jasmine rice complements the rich sauce perfectly.

Keywords: Bourbon Chicken, Crock Pot Recipe, Slow Cooker Chicken, Easy Dinner, Sweet and Savory Chicken, Chicken Thigh Recipe