Description

This Crockpot Bourbon Chicken is the ultimate combination of easy, flavorful, and comforting. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, meal prepping for the week, or just craving something sweet and savory, this dish will not disappoint.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water (for thickening)

For the Bourbon Sauce:

½ cup bourbon (or apple juice as a non-alcoholic substitute)
½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
¼ cup ketchup
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
½ cup brown sugar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon honey (for extra sweetness)

For Garnish:

2 green onions, chopped
1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Pat dry the chicken thighs and season both sides with salt and black pepper.
Place the chicken in the slow cooker in a single layer.

Step 2: Make the Bourbon Sauce

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together bourbon, soy sauce, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, and honey.
Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken in the crockpot.

Step 3: Slow Cook the Chicken

Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2.5-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shreddable.
Once cooked, remove the chicken and place it on a cutting board.

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce

In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water to create a slurry.
Pour the slurry into the slow cooker and stir well.
Turn the slow cooker to HIGH and let the sauce thicken for 10-15 minutes.

Step 5: Shred & Combine

Shred the cooked chicken using two forks.
Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir it into the thickened sauce.

Step 6: Garnish & Serve

Sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for extra flavor.
Serve hot over steamed rice, noodles, or even in a sandwich!

Notes

✔ Use Chicken Thighs – They stay juicy and tender, but you can use chicken breasts for a leaner option.
✔ Alcohol-Free Version – Substitute apple juice for bourbon if you prefer a non-alcoholic version.
✔ Adjust the Sweetness – If you prefer it less sweet, reduce the brown sugar or honey slightly.
✔ Make it Spicy – Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for heat.
✔ Crispy Option – After slow cooking, broil the chicken for 3-5 minutes for a caramelized finish.

Keywords: crockpot bourbon chicken, slow cooker chicken recipe, bourbon glaze, tender chicken, easy chicken dinner, bourbon sauce, chicken thighs recipe, meal prep dinner, sweet and smoky chicken