Description
Crockpot Bourbon Chicken is a tender, slow-cooked chicken dish coated in a rich, sweet and savory sauce made with soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and bourbon. This easy takeout-style meal is perfect served over steamed rice for a comforting dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1/4 cup apple juice
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Place the chicken pieces in the bottom of the crockpot.
- In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, bourbon, apple juice, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and stir gently to coat.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender and cooked through.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir into the crockpot during the last 20–30 minutes of cooking to thicken the sauce.
- Once thickened, stir well and serve hot over steamed rice. Garnish with sliced green onions.
Notes
- For a thicker sauce, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs, though thighs remain juicier.
- If avoiding alcohol, replace bourbon with additional apple juice plus 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American-Chinese