Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken – Shugary Sweets

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This Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken recipe has a sweet, tangy glaze and just a little bit of heat. Toss a few ingredients in your slow cooker in the morning and let it simmer until dinnertime for a meal that the whole family will love.

If you’re tired of making the same old crockpot soups and stews, mix it up with these Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas or these Slow Cooker French Dip Sammies.

Black ladle spooning bourbon chicken out of the slow cooker.

Why This Recipe is Best

Bourbon Chicken brings a world of flavors together in one easy slow cooker recipe.

Every bite delivers an explosion of tangy, sweet and savory flavor with hint of spice to make your taste buds say “WOW.”

  • 10 minutes of prep.
  • Set it and forget it!
  • Made with real bourbon.
  • Amazingly flavorful chicken.

Slow cooking the chicken for hours in a bourbon based sauce makes it unbelievably tender and juicy.

Bourbon Chicken Ingredients

Ingredients needed to make slow cooker bourbon chicken.
  • Bourbon whiskey – The alcohol cooks off as the sauce cooks, leaving behind a smoky caramel flavor.
  • Apple juice – Cuts the bite of the bourbon and brings sweetness to the sauce, along with brown sugar and honey.
  • Ketchup – This pantry staple condiment gives the sauce its tang.
  • Chicken thighs – These are always our choice for slow cooker chicken recipes. The higher fat content means they stay juicy, even after cooking for several hours.
  • Cornstarch – Mixed with a little water, the starch helps thicken the sauce.
  • Green onions – Add color and a fresh finishing touch to your chicken by sprinkling these on top just before serving.

We also use garlic, ginger and a few red chili flakes to complete this bourbon chicken recipe .

Easy Instructions

Step by step photos showing how to make bourbon chicken,
  1. Mix together the marinade. You can whisk all the marinade ingredients right in the slow cooker. No need to dirty a second bowl, unless you like washing dishes!
  2. Add the chicken. Place your chicken thighs in the pot. Spoon some of the marinade on top to make sure sauce touches every part of the chicken.
  3. Slow cook. Cover the pot and cook the bourbon chicken on low 6 to 8 hours. Shred or dice the chicken then return it to the pot.
  4. Thicken the sauce. Remove the lid and stir a slurry of cornstarch and water into the sauce. Let it simmer for at least 20 minutes or until you’re ready to eat.

Add your sliced green onions right before serving for a little pop of color and flavor to this dish! ENJOY!

Tips and Tricks

  • Serving suggestions: Try this bourbon chicken on a simple bed of white or brown rice. It’s also delicious in lettuce wraps!
  • Storing: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It reheats well in the microwave or simmered for a few minutes on the stove.
  • Serve diced or shredded: Slow cooked chicken shreds easily with two forks. This chicken can also be served diced if preferred!
Bourbon chicken in slow cooker with green onions.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead?

I don’t recommend chicken breasts in this recipe. They are leaner and therefore prone to drying out when cooked for long periods of time. Chicken thighs are the way to go for slow cooker bourbon chicken!

What is a cornstarch slurry?

A slurry is a combination of starch and water. Dissolving the cornstarch in the water prior to adding it to the sauce, gets rid of any lumps so the sauce thickens without any surprise bits of undissolved starch making their way into your meal.

I’m in a hurry. Can I cook this chicken on high to make it faster?

You can, but the slower you cook the chicken, the better the flavor will be. I haven’t tested this recipe on the high setting of my slow cooker so I can’t vouch for the results.

More Dinner Recipes:

Bourbon chicken on a white place with rice.

This Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken recipe has a sweet, tangy glaze and must be put on your dinner menu soon!

Ingredients

  • ½ cup apple juice
  • ½ cup Bourbon
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 2 Tablespoons honey
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red chili flakes
  • 4 cloves garlic, pressed
  • ½ teaspoon ginger
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 Tablespoons water
  • 3 green onions, sliced

Instructions

  1. In a large slow cooker, combine the apple juice, Bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, honey, chili flakes, garlic and ginger with a whisk until well blended.
  2. Place chicken in slow cooker, and spoon marinade over the top of the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  3. About half hour prior to serving, remove chicken and dice into bite sized pieces (or shred it). In a small glass, or bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until a thick paste. Add it to the marinade in the slow cooker, stirring until combined. Return the chicken to the slow cooker, cover and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes, to allow glaze to thicken.
  4. Before serving, sprinkle with green onions. ENJOY!

Notes

  • Serving suggestions: Try this bourbon chicken on a simple bed of white or brown rice. It’s also delicious in lettuce wraps!
  • Storing: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It reheats well in the microwave or simmered for a few minutes on the stove.
  • Serve diced or shredded: Slow cooked chicken shreds easily with two forks. This chicken can also be served diced if preferred!
  • Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    6

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving:

    Calories: 407Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 184mgSodium: 950mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 0gSugar: 25gProtein: 38g

    *Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.


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    Make the best Bourbon Chicken at home with your slow cooker! Slow cooked in a sweet and sticky sauce, this chicken is better than takeout and just as easy.



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