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Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken

A tender, sticky bourbon chicken dish that is perfect for busy weeknights, using a slow cooker for effortless cooking.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 370
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs Trim excess fat
  • 1 cup light brown sugar Packed
  • 1 cup soy sauce Use low-sodium for less salt; tamari for gluten-free
  • 1/3 cup bourbon whisky See substitution notes
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon honey Or maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes Adjust to taste
  • 4 cloves garlic Minced or grated
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1/4 cup green onions Thinly sliced for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and place them in a single layer in the crock pot.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, ground ginger, honey, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic until smooth.
  3. Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken, making sure pieces are coated.
Cooking
  1. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6 hours. The chicken should be fall-apart tender.
  2. Remove the thighs to a plate and roughly chop or shred them with two forks.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch into the water until fully dissolved to make a slurry.
  4. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker. Use a whisk to break up any lumps.
  5. Return the chopped chicken to the crock pot, stir to combine, then cover and let the sauce come back to a gentle boil (this activates the cornstarch).
  6. Once the sauce has thickened and is bubbling, turn off the crock pot. Taste and adjust seasoning—add a splash of soy or a pinch of salt if needed.
Serving
  1. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and serve over steamed rice, cauliflower rice, or noodles.

Notes

This recipe scales well, freezes nicely, and is forgiving if you forget to thicken the sauce until the end. For a non-alcoholic version, replace bourbon with chicken stock + apple cider vinegar and molasses for depth.