If you are craving a dish that combines sweet, savory, and a touch of smoky goodness, then this Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe is about to become your new favorite. Easy to throw together and even easier to fall in love with, this slow-cooked delight fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas, and the tender chicken soaked in a luscious bourbon sauce is pure comfort on a plate. Whether you’re feeding a family or meal prepping for the week, this dish delivers all the rich flavors and melt-in-your-mouth texture you want with minimal fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t let the simplicity of these ingredients fool you. Each one plays a crucial role in creating that perfect balance of flavor and irresistibly tender texture that defines this recipe. From the warmth of bourbon to the deep sweetness of brown sugar, every element combines beautifully in this Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: These are ideal for slow cooking as they stay moist and tender throughout the four-hour simmer.
- Bourbon: Adds a smoky, slightly sweet depth that sets this dish apart from ordinary chicken recipes.
- Brown sugar: Brings caramel sweetness that enhances the richness of the bourbon and soy sauce.
- Soy sauce: Provides a salty, umami backbone to balance the sweetness.
- Minced garlic: Delivers a punch of savory aroma and flavor that brightens the dish.
- Corn starch: This thickening agent transforms the cooking juices into a glossy, luscious sauce.
- Water: Used to dissolve the corn starch and help create the perfect sauce consistency.
- Salt and pepper: Season simply to allow the other flavors to shine through.
- Sliced green onions (optional): Adds a fresh, crisp garnish and pop of color when serving.
How to Make Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Season the Chicken
Start by removing your chicken thighs from the packaging and give them a gentle pat dry with paper towels. This little step helps the seasoning stick and prevents excess moisture. Then, sprinkle salt and pepper evenly on both sides to build flavor right from the beginning. Lay the thighs flat in the bottom of your crock pot, making sure they are in a single layer for even cooking.
Step 2: Mix the Bourbon Sauce
In a separate bowl, whisk together the bourbon, brown sugar, soy sauce, and minced garlic until the sugar mostly dissolves. This sauce is the heart of the Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe, delivering that signature sweet-savory punch. Once mixed, pour this heavenly liquid lovingly over the chicken thighs.
Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection
Place the lid on your crock pot and set it to low for about 4 hours. This slow cooking time is what transforms the chicken into tender, fork-tender perfection and allows the sauce to meld into a rich, flavorful glaze that clings beautifully to each bite.
Step 4: Remove the Chicken
Once your chicken is cooked through and tender, carefully remove the thighs from the crock pot and place them onto a separate plate. This step preps you for thickening the sauce and ensuring the chicken soaks in all that luscious flavor.
Step 5: Boil Down the Sauce
Pour the remaining juices from the crock pot into a medium saucepan and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. This concentrates the sauce, intensifying its flavor and preparing it for the thickening step.
Step 6: Thicken the Sauce
Mix the corn starch and water in a small bowl until smooth, then whisk this slurry into the boiling sauce. Keep whisking constantly as it thickens into a rich, glossy finish. Turn down the heat and let it simmer until it reaches the desired thickness—this sauce will cling beautifully to the chicken.
Step 7: Combine Chicken and Sauce
Return the tender chicken to the crock pot and pour the thickened sauce over it. Use two forks to gently shred the chicken into large, juicy chunks that soak up every bit of the bourbon-infused sauce.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Serve your Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe hot over a bed of fluffy rice or alongside your favorite sides for a hearty, comforting meal that feels special yet is effortlessly easy.
How to Serve Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate this dish simply by sprinkling thinly sliced green onions on top right before serving. The fresh crunch and mild onion flavor provide a lovely contrast to the sweet and savory sauce, and the bright green color makes the dish look as inviting as it tastes.
Side Dishes
This bourbon chicken pairs wonderfully with simple steamed white rice or fragrant jasmine rice, which soaks up the sauce perfectly. For a vegetable option, consider roasted broccoli or steamed green beans. Anything with a fresh, crisp bite balances the richness of the chicken beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve this delicious chicken in soft tortillas or lettuce cups topped with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime. Alternatively, layer it over a bed of mashed sweet potatoes for a comforting and colorful presentation that’s sure to wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your meal, store any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors continue to marry in the fridge, making the next day’s meal even tastier.
Freezing
This dish freezes beautifully! Portion the chicken and sauce into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Just make sure to cool the chicken completely before freezing to preserve texture and flavor.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. You can also microwave, but stirring halfway through will ensure the sauce heats evenly without drying out the chicken.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Though chicken thighs are preferred for their juiciness and tenderness during long cooking, chicken breasts can work—just keep in mind they may become a bit drier if cooked too long, so check for doneness earlier.
Is the bourbon alcohol cooked off? Will it taste boozy?
The long, slow cooking process evaporates most of the alcohol, leaving behind the rich flavor notes of bourbon without noticeable booziness. It’s safe and delicious for all ages to enjoy.
Can I make this recipe without a crock pot?
Yes! You can simmer the chicken and sauce gently on the stove over low heat for about 1.5 to 2 hours, covered, until tender. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning and adjust liquid as needed.
How can I make the sauce thicker if it’s too runny?
Add a little more corn starch mixed with water and whisk it into the simmering sauce, cooking until it thickens. This recipe’s step-by-step method ensures a perfect texture every time.
What’s the best rice to pair with Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe?
Long-grain white rice, jasmine, or basmati rice work beautifully as their fluffy texture soaks up the sauce without competing with the flavors of the chicken.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a way to impress with minimal effort, the Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe is your answer. It’s one of those dishes that tastes like hours of gourmet cooking but comes together with simple ingredients and easy steps. Give it a try—you may find yourself making it on repeat for family dinners, meal prep, or your next cozy night in.
Print
Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken recipe is a flavorful, tender slow-cooked dish featuring boneless, skinless chicken thighs simmered in a sweet and savory bourbon sauce. Perfect for an easy, hands-off meal, it delivers rich flavors enhanced by brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic, finished with a thickened, glossy sauce that’s ideal for serving over rice.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 1/3 cup bourbon
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
Thickening Mixture
- 3 Tablespoons corn starch
- 4 Tablespoons water
Garnish (Optional)
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Remove chicken thighs from packaging and pat dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper, then place the thighs in a single layer at the bottom of the crock pot.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together bourbon, brown sugar, soy sauce, and minced garlic until the sugar is mostly dissolved. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken in the crock pot.
- Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover with the crock pot lid and cook on low heat for approximately 4 hours, or until the chicken is tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Remove Chicken: Carefully transfer the cooked chicken to a separate plate, leaving the cooking juices in the crock pot.
- Boil Sauce: Pour the cooking juices into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Thicken Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water until smooth. Slowly whisk this slurry into the boiling sauce. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens, then reduce heat to simmer and allow it to reduce further for a thick, glossy consistency.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the chicken to the crock pot and pour the thickened sauce over it. Slightly shred the chicken into large chunks with two forks to help it absorb the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the bourbon chicken hot, ideally over steamed rice, and garnish with sliced green onions if desired.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the best flavor and tenderness.
- Adjust bourbon amount to your preference, but avoid substituting with non-alcoholic liquids for flavor authenticity.
- Make sure to dissolve brown sugar well in the sauce mixture to prevent graininess.
- Shredding the chicken slightly helps it soak up the sauce better.
- Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Serve with steamed white rice, jasmine rice, or brown rice to complement the sweet and savory sauce.
