Easy Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe
A flavorful and easy-to-make Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken recipe featuring tender slow-cooked chicken thighs simmered in a sweet and tangy bourbon sauce, perfect served over rice and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours (low) or 2 to 3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes (low) or 2 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
Sauce
- 1/2 cup bourbon whiskey
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (low sodium)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Thickener
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Optional for Searing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional, for browning the chicken)
For Serving
- Cooked rice (for serving)
- Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Optionally, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned. This step enhances flavor but can be skipped if preferred.
- Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, minced garlic, ground ginger, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes if using, until well combined.
- Add to Crock Pot: Place the chicken pieces in the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the prepared bourbon sauce over the chicken, making sure the chicken is fully submerged in the sauce.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Thicken the Sauce: Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and set aside. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the sauce remaining in the crock pot. Cover and cook on high for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.
- Shred or Leave Chicken Whole: Decide whether to shred the chicken or leave it whole. Return the chicken to the thickened sauce and stir to coat thoroughly.
- Serve: Serve the bourbon chicken over cooked rice. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For a deeper flavor, searing the chicken before slow cooking is recommended but optional.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar to your taste preference for sweetness.
- Crushed red pepper flakes add a mild heat but can be omitted for a milder dish.
- Use low sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the dish.
- If you prefer, chicken breasts can be used instead of thighs, though thighs remain juicier after slow cooking.
Keywords: Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken, Slow Cooker Chicken, Bourbon Chicken Recipe, Easy Chicken Dinner, Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken
Find it online: https://topreci.com/easy-crock-pot-bourbon-chicken-recipe/
