Description
This slow cooker bourbon chicken recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken thighs in a rich, savory-sweet sauce with minimal prep and set-it-and-forget-it convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup bourbon whiskey (120 ml)
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce (80 ml)
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (50 g)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (30 ml)
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth (120 ml)
- 2 tablespoons ketchup (30 ml)
- 1 teaspoon ground or freshly grated ginger (2 g)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (16 g)
- 2 tablespoons water (30 ml)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and trim any excess fat if desired.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, ketchup, ginger, and red pepper flakes until sugar is mostly dissolved and mixture is smooth.
- Place chicken thighs in a single layer in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Pour the bourbon sauce evenly over the chicken, coating each piece.
- Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until chicken is fork-tender.
- Carefully transfer chicken to a serving dish or keep in slow cooker if oven-safe.
- Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry, then stir into the slow cooker sauce.
- Turn heat to high and cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Return chicken to the thickened sauce and toss gently to coat.
- Serve immediately over steamed rice, mashed potatoes, or preferred sides. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
Use dark brown sugar for richer flavor. Toast garlic lightly for a mellow taste if desired. Substitute tamari for soy sauce to make gluten-free. Bourbon can be swapped with dark rum or whiskey. Add vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas halfway through cooking for extra nutrition. If sauce is too thin, add more cornstarch slurry and simmer longer but avoid adding too much at once to prevent gumminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 to 6 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high) plus 15-20 minutes for thickening
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 9
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 30
Keywords: slow cooker bourbon chicken, easy chicken recipe, tender chicken thighs, savory sweet chicken, crockpot chicken, bourbon chicken sauce