Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe
Introduction
Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that slowly simmers tender chicken thighs in a rich bourbon sauce. Perfect for busy days, this recipe delivers a sweet and savory meal you can set and forget.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- Green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: In a slow cooker, combine chicken thighs, bourbon, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar.
- Step 2: Stir until the chicken is well coated in the sauce.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Step 4: In the last 30 minutes of cooking, mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl and add to the slow cooker to thicken the sauce.
- Step 5: Serve the chicken with the sauce over rice and garnish with green onions.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the sauce ingredients for an hour before cooking.
- Use boneless chicken thighs for a quicker and easier serving option.
- Swap bourbon with whiskey or omit it for a milder taste.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you prefer a spicy kick.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through. The sauce may thicken upon chilling; thin it with a splash of water when reheating if needed.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, chicken breasts can be used, but thighs remain more tender and juicy in slow cooking. Adjust cooking time to avoid drying out the breasts.
Is the alcohol completely cooked off in slow cooking?
Slow cooking allows most of the alcohol to evaporate, leaving behind the bourbon’s rich flavor. However, a small amount of alcohol might remain depending on cooking time and heat.
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Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken is a flavorful and tender slow-cooked dish featuring juicy chicken thighs simmered in a rich bourbon, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger sauce. Perfect for an easy, hands-off dinner served over rice and garnished with fresh green onions.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 chicken thighs
Sauce
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Thickener
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Garnish
- Green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine ingredients: In a slow cooker, add the chicken thighs, bourbon, soy sauce, minced garlic, minced ginger, and brown sugar. Stir well to ensure the chicken is fully coated in the sauce.
- Slow cook the chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to become tender.
- Thicken the sauce: About 30 minutes before the cooking time ends, mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl until smooth. Add this mixture to the slow cooker to thicken the sauce, stirring gently.
- Serve: Once thickened and cooked through, serve the bourbon chicken over rice and garnish with chopped green onions for a fresh finish.
Notes
- For a stronger bourbon flavor, use a good quality bourbon but avoid very expensive varieties as the alcohol cooks off.
- Chicken breasts can be substituted for thighs but may require less cooking time and result in less tender meat.
- Adjust brown sugar amount to taste for sweeter or less sweet sauce.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can double the cornstarch slurry.
- Serve with steamed rice or vegetables for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken, slow cooker chicken, bourbon chicken recipe, easy chicken recipe, slow cooked chicken thighs
