Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe is a sweet, savory and easy-to-make meal. It is perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners. The crock pot makes cooking simple and hands-off.
Tender chicken cooks slowly in a rich, flavorful bourbon sauce. The sauce is slightly sweet, sticky and delicious. You can serve it over rice, vegetables or noodles.
By following this guide, you will learn How to make Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken, the best Ingredients for Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken and step-by-step instructions for a restaurant-style dinner at home.
My Experience With This Recipe
I tried making Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken last weekend. I loved how easy it was to prepare. I mixed the sauce ingredients and poured it over chicken in the crock pot.
While cooking, the kitchen smelled amazing. The chicken turned out tender and flavorful. The bourbon sauce was rich, sweet and slightly tangy.
My family loved it. We served it over steamed rice and it was perfect. This recipe is now one of my go-to crock pot meals. It is simple, delicious and requires very little effort.
Recipe Card Info
- Recipe Name: Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken
- Servings: 4–6
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 mins
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: American / Asian-inspired
- Calories: 320 kcal per serving
Equipment List
- Crock pot or slow cooker
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Mixing bowl
- Ladle for serving
Ingredients You Need for Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional: green onions or sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken
Trim excess fat from chicken thighs. Pat dry with paper towel. Set aside on cutting board. - Make the Sauce
In a mixing bowl, combine bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic, ginger and pepper. - Add Chicken to Crock Pot
Place chicken thighs in crock pot. Pour bourbon sauce over chicken, ensuring it is fully coated. - Cook the Chicken
Cover crock pot. Cook on low for 3–4 hours until chicken is tender and fully cooked. - Thicken the Sauce
In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water. Stir into crock pot. Cook 10 more minutes until sauce thickens. - Check the Chicken
Ensure chicken is tender and sauce is thick and glossy. Adjust seasoning if needed. - Serve and Garnish
Spoon chicken and sauce over rice or noodles. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds.
Recipe Tips
- Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful results.
- Low and slow cooking gives tender chicken and thick sauce.
- Adjust brown sugar for sweeter or less sweet sauce.
- Add a splash of bourbon at the end for extra flavor.
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 kcal |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Protein | 30 g |
| Carbohydrates | 18 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
Serving Suggestions
Serve Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken over steamed white rice, brown rice or noodles. It also pairs well with sautéed vegetables or a fresh green salad.
Garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions for added flavor and presentation. This dish is filling, sweet and savory, making it a perfect weeknight dinner.
Best Sides To Serve With
- Steamed white or brown rice
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Asian-style noodles
- Green salad with ginger dressing
- Roasted broccoli or asparagus
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat gently on stovetop or in microwave. Add a little water or broth if sauce thickens too much.
Avoid overcooking when reheating to keep chicken tender. Freezing is possible, but texture may change slightly; best eaten fresh.
Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb 450 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional: green onions or sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
- Trim excess fat from chicken thighs. Pat dry with paper towel. Set aside on cutting board.
Make the Sauce
- In a mixing bowl, combine bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic, ginger and pepper.
Add Chicken to Crock Pot
- Place chicken thighs in crock pot. Pour bourbon sauce over chicken, ensuring it is fully coated.
Cook the Chicken
- Cover crock pot. Cook on low for 3–4 hours until chicken is tender and fully cooked.
Thicken the Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water. Stir into crock pot. Cook 10 more minutes until sauce thickens.
Check the Chicken
- Ensure chicken is tender and sauce is thick and glossy. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve and Garnish
- Spoon chicken and sauce over rice or noodles. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful results.
- Low and slow cooking gives tender chicken and thick sauce.
- Adjust brown sugar for sweeter or less sweet sauce.
- Add a splash of bourbon at the end for extra flavor.
FAQs about Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken
1. Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, but cook slightly less to prevent overcooking. Thighs stay juicier and more flavorful.
2. Can I make it without bourbon?
Yes, replace bourbon with chicken broth for flavor without alcohol. Sauce will still be tasty.
3. Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, mix sauce in advance and store in fridge. Pour over chicken before cooking.
4. Can I thicken the sauce differently?
Yes, cornstarch slurry works best. You can also reduce sauce on stovetop after cooking.
5. Can I add vegetables?
Yes, bell peppers, carrots or broccoli can be added during last 30–40 minutes of cooking.
Conclusion
Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe is sweet, savory and easy to make. It is perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners.
By following this guide, you learned How to make Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken, the best Ingredients for Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken and step-by-step instructions for a restaurant-style meal at home.
Make it today and enjoy tender, flavorful chicken with rich bourbon sauce that everyone will love.
Sara Collins is a food blogger at TastyDive. She shares simple and family-friendly recipes made with everyday ingredients. Her mission is to help home cooks enjoy tasty meals without stress.
