Description
This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken recipe features tender, flavorful chicken thighs slow-cooked in a rich bourbon sauce with a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. Made easy in the slow cooker, it's a convenient and delicious meal ideal for serving over rice for a comforting dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
Sauce
- ¼ cup sliced green onions (or more to taste)
- ½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ⅓ cup apple juice
- 1 ½ tablespoons honey
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup Bourbon
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
Thickener
- 3 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Mix Sauce: In a small bowl, combine apple juice, honey, brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, water, Bourbon, soy sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to make the sauce.
- Cook Chicken: Place the chicken thighs into the slow cooker and pour the prepared sauce over them. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Chop Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and chop into bite-sized pieces. Cover to keep warm while you prepare the sauce.
- Thicken Sauce: In a small bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of water with the cornstarch to create a slurry. Turn the slow cooker to high, and whisk the slurry into the sauce. Cover and allow it to thicken for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Combine and Add Green Onions: Stir the chopped chicken back into the thickened sauce, then add the sliced green onions and mix well.
- Serve: Serve the bourbon chicken over cooked rice for a delicious and comforting meal.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes to taste.
- Use chicken breasts if you prefer leaner meat; adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Bourbon can be substituted with whiskey or a splash of vanilla extract for alcohol-free flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a side salad to complete the meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 0 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
