Description
This easy crock pot bourbon chicken features tender chicken thighs slow-cooked in a sweet, sticky bourbon sauce with a gentle kick of spice. It’s a healthier, homemade take on the classic takeout favorite, perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced (or 1 teaspoon dried ginger)
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- Green onions, sliced, for garnish
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from chicken thighs and cut into bite-sized pieces. Place chicken in the slow cooker insert.
- In a mixing bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, chicken broth, minced garlic, minced ginger, and red pepper flakes until smooth.
- Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Gently toss to coat all pieces.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours, until chicken is tender and cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
- About 15 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with cold water in a small bowl to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker.
- Cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes, until the sauce thickens and turns glossy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed (add more soy sauce for saltiness or a pinch of sugar for sweetness). Thin with a bit of warm broth if too thick.
- Serve the bourbon chicken over hot cooked rice and garnish with sliced green onions.
Notes
For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure ketchup is gluten-free. Chicken breasts can be substituted but may cook faster. For a spicier version, add more red pepper flakes or sriracha. Leftovers keep well and taste even better the next day. Sauce thickens best with the cornstarch slurry—don’t skip this step.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American, Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup chicken with sauce (no rice)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Protein: 22
Keywords: bourbon chicken, crock pot, slow cooker, easy dinner, takeout, chicken thighs, sticky sauce, comfort food, family meal, gluten-free option