Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken is a delicious dish of chicken thighs, slow cooked in a brown sugar bourbon sauce - it tastes just like you're at the Panda Express in a food court in a mall somewhere.
The history on this dish is somewhat conflicted. Some say Bourbon Chicken originated on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Others say it's a Chinese recipe.
I'm going to stick with that it was a dish originally from a Chinese restaurant on Bourbon Street.
Jump to:
- What makes this recipe so yummy
- Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
- Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
- Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- Necessary gear: Equipment
- More slow cooker recipes I think you'll love
- How to store leftovers
- Mel's kitchen notes
- Frequently asked questions: FAQs
- Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken
- Fan Favorite Recipes
- 💬 Comments
What makes this recipe so yummy
- The ingredients are easy, mostly what you would have in your pantry at home.
- There's not a lot of chopping or prepping for this recipe.
- Crockpot bourbon chicken is actually a family favorite recipe that even the kids love (the alcohol cooks off so no worries there).
Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
- Chicken Thighs
- Soy Sauce
- Brown Sugar
- Red Chili Pepper Flakes
- Green Onions
- Ground Ginger
- Honey
- Garlic
- Bourbon Whiskey
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Cornstarch
- Water
See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.
Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Step 1: Add the chicken thighs to the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Step 2: In a medium mixing bowl add the remaining ingredients (except the corn starch and green onions). Whisk together.
- Step 3: Pour over the chicken thighs.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours.
- Step 5: Remove the chicken thighs and roughly chop.
- Step 6: Add the cornstarch and water to a small mixing bowl and stir together until the cornstarch has dissolved.
- Step 7: Pour the cornstarch slurry into the sauce and mix together with a whisk.
- Step 8: Add the chicken back to the crock pot and stir. Bring back to bubbling then turn off the crock pot. Garnish with chopped green onions.
Hint: You could leave the chicken whole here - they will fall apart as you stir anyway. Or if you like the chicken to be more shredded you could shred the chicken instead.
Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- Sesame Seeds - sprinkle with some toasted sesame seeds at the end if you like (for garnish).
- Apple Juice - you could use this instead of the bourbon. Or even Chicken Broth.
- Chicken Breast - Use juicy chicken breasts if you prefer. I would chop into 2" pieces as they'll shrink (and cook for less time)... or add the chicken breasts whole and shred after.
- Ketchup - to add another flavor profile.
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Necessary gear: Equipment
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
I used a 7 Quart Crock Pot for this recipe. There's an affiliate link to it in my recipe card below.
As well as any other equipment I used.
More slow cooker recipes I think you'll love
How to store leftovers
Once the crock pot bourbon chicken has cooled completely, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
This recipe will actually freeze well. Store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
Mel's kitchen notes
This dish most definitely should always be served on a bed of white rice. Sprinkle with some toasted sesame seeds and green onions for color. Added spice never goes amiss in a sweet dish if you want a hot and spicy dish.
Frequently asked questions: FAQs
Definitely. You will need to cook it for a minimum of 3 hours on high though.
Cooking chicken longer will help the chicken to have a more 'fall-apart' texture, if that's what you're looking for.
Traditionally yes, it has Bourbon whisky. This can be substituted though, for apple juice or chicken broth.
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Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken
Video
Equipment
- 1 Whisk
Ingredients
- 3 Pounds Chicken Thighs Boneless, skinless
- 1 Cup Light Brown Sugar
- 1 Cup Soy Sauce
- ⅓ Cup Bourbon Whisky
- 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- ½ teaspoon Ground Ginger
- 1 Tablespoon Honey
- ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 4 Cloves Garlic
- 3 Tablespoons Cornstarch
- 2 Tablespoons Water
- ¼ Cup Green Onions
Instructions
- Place the chicken thighs (well trimmed) into the slow cooker.3 Pounds Chicken Thighs
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the remaining ingredients (except the cornstarch, water and green onions). Mix together with a whisk.1 Cup Light Brown Sugar, 1 Cup Soy Sauce, ⅓ Cup Bourbon Whisky, 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar, ½ teaspoon Ground Ginger, 1 Tablespoon Honey, ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes, 4 Cloves Garlic
- Pour over the top of the chicken thighs.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours, or low for 6 hours.
- Remove the chicken thighs to a plate and roughly chop them.
- Add the cornstarch and water to a mixing bowl and mix until cornstarch is dissolved.3 Tablespoons Cornstarch, 2 Tablespoons Water
- Pour into the sauce in the crock pot and mix with a whisk.
- Add the chicken back to the sauce, stir to combine then cover again. Allow to come back to bubbling then turn off the crock pot.
- Sprinkle with chopped green onions and serve over rice.¼ Cup Green Onions
Notes
- Sesame Seeds - sprinkle with some toasted sesame seeds at the end if you like.
- Apple Juice - this can replace the bourbon, if you want to exclude the alcohol.
- Chicken Breast - you could cut up chicken breast into 1" cubes if you prefer, instead of the thighs.
- Ketchup - to boost flavors.
Nutrition
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