A cozy, sticky-sweet pot of goodness that tastes just like Grandma used to makewith a little grown-up flair! This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe has been trending all over Pinterest and Reddit, and home cooks everywhere love it for its bold flavor and effortless prep. With just a few pantry staples and your trusty crock pot, you’ll have a meal that tastes like takeout but feels like home.
Imagine juicy chicken thighs slowly simmering with brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and that little splash of bourbon magic. It’s comfort food elevatedeasy enough for weeknights but tasty enough to serve to guests. Scroll down for the full recipe details and pro tips!
Growing up, I used to watch my grandmother stir something similar on the stovetopher “secret ingredient” was always a mystery until I learned it was bourbon. I’ve adapted her classic into a simpler slow cooker version that brings the same nostalgic flavor with modern convenience. And yes, I added a little twist of my own that brings the sauce to a whole new level.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe delivers sweet, savory, and rich flavors in every bite. Here’s why it belongs in your weekly rotation:
Set it and forget it: Minimal hands-on preplet the crock pot handle the heavy lifting.
Irresistible family flavors: Sweet and sticky sauce with just the right hint of heat and depth from bourbon.
Pantry-friendly: Utilizes everyday ingredients you likely have on handgreat for last-minute meals.
Better-than-takeout: Enjoy a healthier homemade version with customized spice and sweetness levels.
Key Ingredients & Tools
Here’s everything you need to bring this Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe to life:
Chicken thighs: Boneless and skinless for easy prep; they stay juicy and tender even after hours of simmering.
Bourbon whiskey: Adds complexity and warm depth to the saucejust enough to enhance the flavor without overwhelming.
Brown sugar & honey: The sweeteners that build the recipe’s signature glaze.
Soy sauce & apple cider vinegar: Bring the salty and tangy elements that balance the sweetness perfectly.
Garlic and ginger: Aromatics that infuse each bite with bold savory layers.
Red pepper flakes: Optional kick of heatadjust to your spice preference.
Cornstarch: Used to thicken the sauce at the end so it clings beautifully to the chicken.
Must-have equipment: A reliable slow cooker (4–6 quarts works well), and a small bowl or measuring cup to whisk the cornstarch slurry.
Ingredient Breakdown Table
Ingredient
Role in Recipe
Chicken thighs
Main proteintender and juicy after slow cooking.
Bourbon whiskey
Infuses rich, warm flavor to enhance the glaze.
Brown sugar & honey
Sweetens, balances, and helps caramelize.
Soy sauce
Brings salty umami contrast.
Apple cider vinegar
Adds brightness and acidity to cut the richness.
Garlic & ginger
Enhance complexity with warming spice and depth.
Cornstarch
Used at the end to thicken the sauce to a glossy finish.
How to Make It Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps for Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken that’s bursting with flavor and ridiculously easy to prep:
Prep the chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and place them in a single layer in your slow cooker.
Make the sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, minced ginger, honey, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic until smooth.
Pour & cook: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until chicken reaches 165°F and is fork-tender.
Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until combined. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker, cover, and cook for an additional 15–20 minutes until the sauce thickens to your liking.
Serve & garnish: Serve chicken over fluffy jasmine rice or your favorite grain. Drizzle sauce over the top and garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Timing Chart
Setting
Cook Time
Low
4–5 hours
High
2–3 hours
Finish (thickening sauce)
15–20 minutes
Serving & Storage Tips
This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken is perfect for cozy nights in or crowd-pleasing potlucks. Here’s how to serve and store it:
Serve with jasmine rice, mashed potatoes, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
Great alongside steamed green vegetables like broccoli, snow peas, or sautéed spinach.
Leftovers: Store cooled chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a tablespoon of water to revive the sauce.
Freezing: Freeze cooled leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Storage Tips Table
Storage Method
Duration
Reheating Tips
Refrigerator
Up to 3 days
Microwave or reheat over medium-low heat with a splash of water.
Freezer
Up to 2 months
Thaw in fridge overnight, reheat gently on the stove until bubbly.
Expert Insight: Mastering the Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe
Slow cooking allows this Bourbon Chicken’s sweet, spicy, and savory layers to develop fully without hassle. Choosing boneless chicken thighs ensures consistently tender results, and thickening the sauce right before serving guarantees that glossy, takeout-style glaze. For a punch of freshness, stir in thinly sliced scallions or red bell peppers just before serving.
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The Journey to My Perfect Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe
Perfecting this Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken involved batch after batch of recipe testingtoo sweet, not enough tang, sauce too thinthe usual suspects. But all those test rounds paid off. This version hits the flavor trifecta: balanced sweetness, zippy acidity, and that smooth bourbon undertone. Each tweak brought it closer to what I remembered from grandma’s kitchen, now reimagined for busy weeknights and modern tastes.
FAQs ( Best Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken )
Conclusion
This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe is everything you want in a weeknight mealeasy, flavorful, and guaranteed to please everyone at the table. It’s sweet, savory, slightly spicy, and loaded with crave-worthy sauce.
Swap in chicken breasts if you like a leaner option, or toss in bell peppers during the last hour for extra texture and color. Whether you’re cooking for the family or meal-prepping for the week, this dish is a guaranteed hitand reheats beautifully for leftovers.
Did this dish spark cozy dinner memories? Tag your re-creations online or comment below with your unique twists. Share it with friends and savor it togetheryou’re going to want to bookmark this one forever.
Yesica Andrews
Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe: Simple Delicious Dish
Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe is a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy dish that combines tender chicken thighs with a rich bourbon-infused sauce. This Bourbon Chicken Recipe Crockpot is perfect for busy weeknights and is one of the best Easy Crockpot Dinners and Chicken Slow Cooker Recipes you can make. Serve it over rice for a comforting and flavorful meal everyone will love.
Place the trimmed chicken thighs in the crock pot.
In a bowl, mix together the light brown sugar, soy sauce, bourbon whiskey, apple cider vinegar, ground ginger, honey, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic until smooth.
Pour the bourbon sauce over the chicken thighs in the crock pot.
Cook on low for 4 hours, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
About 15 minutes before serving, mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry.
Stir the slurry into the crock pot to thicken the sauce.
Continue cooking on low for the remaining 15 minutes.
Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
Serve the bourbon chicken hot over cooked rice.
Notes
For a thicker sauce, you can add more cornstarch slurry gradually until desired consistency is reached. Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stove or in the microwave.
