Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe: Simple Delicious Dish

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Sticky-sweet, slow-cooked, and smells like heaven just walked into your kitchen. This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe feels like something your cousin brought to a potluck in 1997and now it’s blowing up on Pinterest for all the right reasons. Trust me, it’s cozy, trendy, and worth your slow cooker’s time.

It’s got tender chicken, a rich brown sugar-bourbon glaze, and pantry staples like soy sauce and garlic that pull it all right together. Think mall food court favorite meets your best easy crockpot dinner. Nothing fancy, just good, saucy goodness. Full details in the blog!

I first tested this on a Sunday, halfway through laundry and before my third coffee. The smell took me straight to my grandma’s stovetopminus the shouting. It’s that good. And yes, I played with the sauce ratios till it sang. You’ll love the secret twist.

Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Effortless Prep: Toss everything in the crockpot, let it work its magic, and enjoy tender, flavorful chicken at the end.
Sweet and Savory Perfection: The balance of brown sugar, soy sauce, and bourbon gives this dish a rich, crave-worthy flavor.
Nostalgic Vibes: The aromas wafting from your kitchen will remind you of family potlucks and cozy Sunday dinners.
Great for Busy Days: Whether you’re tackling a long to-do list or just want an easy crockpot dinner, this recipe delivers.

Key Ingredients and Simple Substitutions

This recipe uses mostly pantry staples, but here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll need and some potential swaps:

CROCK POT BOURBON CHICKEN RECIPE glazed chicken in bowl on white napkin with clear water

Ingredient	Role in Recipe	Swap Ideas
Boneless skinless chicken thighs	Main protein, tender and juicy	Chicken breasts (though slightly less moist)
Bourbon whiskey	Depth of flavor in the sauce	Apple juice (non-alcoholic option)
Light brown sugar	Sweetness to balance savory notes	Dark brown sugar (more molasses flavor)
Soy sauce	Rich umami flavor	Low-sodium soy sauce
Apple cider vinegar	Brightens the sauce	White vinegar or rice vinegar

How to Make Bourbon Chicken in the Crockpot

Prep the Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and layer them at the bottom of your slow cooker.
Mix the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, ground ginger, honey, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic.
Combine: Pour the sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated evenly.
Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Thicken the Sauce: About 15 minutes before serving, whisk together the cornstarch and water. Stir this slurry into the slow cooker, letting the sauce thicken slightly.

Pro Tip: Give the sauce a quick taste before serving. If you like it sweeter, add a small drizzle of honey. Prefer a bit more heat? Sprinkle in extra red pepper flakes.

Serving Ideas and Storage Notes

Serving Suggestions: This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken is perfect over steamed rice, but mashed potatoes or a side of roasted veggies also work beautifully.
Leftovers: Store the chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating Tip: Warm leftovers in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water to keep the sauce glossy.

Storage Method	How Long It Lasts	Reheating Tips
Refrigerator	Up to 3 days	Reheat in a skillet or microwave with a splash of water or broth.
Freezer	Up to 3 months	Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat as above.

Quick Cooking Timeline

Step	How Much Time
Prep Ingredients	10 minutes
Mix & Add to Slow Cooker	5 minutes
Cook on Low	4–5 hours
Thicken Sauce	15 minutes

Expert Insight: Mastering the Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Slow cooking bourbon chicken in a crock pot allows the flavors to meld deeply, enhancing the dish’s signature sweet and savory profile. The gentle heat tenderizes the chicken perfectly while the bourbon adds a subtle caramelized complexity, making this method ideal for an easy, flavorful meal.

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Mastering the Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

After a few rounds of overcooked thighs and too-sweet sauces, I finally nailed this Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken recipe. It took some trial and error, especially dialing in the balance between bourbon and brown sugar, but now it’s a slow-cooked favorite that fills the house with that perfect sweet-savory aroma every time.

FAQs ( Best Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken )

Can I use frozen chicken for this bourbon chicken crockpot recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken thighs or breasts in your slow cooker for this delicious bourbon chicken recipe. However, you’ll need to add an extra 1-2 hours to the cooking time to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F. For best results and even cooking, it’s recommended to thaw the chicken first, but frozen chicken works in a pinch for this easy crockpot dinner.

How long does crock pot bourbon chicken take to cook?

This bourbon chicken recipe typically takes 4-6 hours on low heat or 2-3 hours on high heat in your crockpot. The exact cooking time depends on the size and thickness of your chicken pieces. Chicken thighs usually need the full time, while smaller pieces may cook faster. Always check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving.

What can I substitute for bourbon in this chicken slow cooker recipe?

If you prefer not to use bourbon, you can substitute it with apple juice, chicken broth, or ginger ale for a non-alcoholic version. These alternatives will still give you a flavorful slow cooker dinner, though the taste will be slightly different. You can also use whiskey or rum as alcoholic substitutes. The key is maintaining the sweet and savory balance that makes this crockpot dish so delicious.

Should I thicken the sauce in my bourbon chicken recipe?

Yes, thickening the sauce makes this chicken crockpot recipe even better! Mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking. This creates a glossy, restaurant-style sauce that coats the chicken beautifully. You can also remove the lid for the final 30 minutes to let some liquid evaporate naturally.

What sides go best with this summer crockpot recipe?

This bourbon chicken pairs wonderfully with steamed white rice, jasmine rice, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter option. Steamed broccoli, green beans, or a fresh cucumber salad make excellent vegetable sides. For summer entertaining, serve it over rice with grilled pineapple or alongside coleslaw for a complete meal. The sweet and savory flavors complement both Asian-inspired and American side dishes perfectly.

CROCK POT BOURBON CHICKEN RECIPE glazed chicken in bowl on white napkin with clear water_pin

Let’s Wrap Up This Bourbon Chicken Love

Your Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe is a low-effort, big-flavor winner that practically cooks itself while you do… well, whatever else needs doing. That sweet-and-savory glaze? Total crowd-pleaser with tender chicken that melts in your mouth. You’ll wanna make it again, trust me.

Feel free to swap bourbon for apple juice if you want a kid-friendly twist, or add some extra heat with red pepper flakespro tip from a slow cooker veteran. Leftovers reheat beautifully for a stress-free lunch or next-night dinner.

Got your own twists or sauce secrets? Snap a pic and share! Did this remind you of a favorite family dish? Pass it on, bookmark it, and let this cozy crockpot dish bring your kitchen those warm, homemade vibes we all crave.