Description

This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken recipe combines tender, slow-cooked chicken thighs infused with a sweet and savory bourbon sauce. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, the chicken is cooked low and slow for four hours in a flavorful blend of bourbon, soy sauce, and brown sugar, then thickened into a luscious sauce. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve over rice for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Salt and pepper, to taste
Sliced green onions for garnish (optional)

Sauce

1/3 cup bourbon
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup soy sauce
2 teaspoons minced garlic

Thickening Mixture

3 Tablespoons corn starch
4 Tablespoons water

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Instructions

Prepare Chicken: Remove chicken thighs from the package and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle salt and pepper evenly on both sides of the thighs. Place the seasoned chicken in a single layer at the bottom of the crock pot.
Make Sauce Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together bourbon, brown sugar, soy sauce, and minced garlic until the brown sugar is mostly dissolved. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken in the crock pot.
Cook Chicken: Cover the crock pot with the lid and set it to cook on low for about 4 hours, or until the chicken is tender and easily pierced with a fork.
Remove Chicken: Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken from the crock pot and place it on a separate plate.
Prepare Sauce: Pour the cooking juices from the crock pot into a medium saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium heat on the stovetop.
Thicken Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the corn starch and water until smooth. Gradually whisk this mixture into the boiling sauce. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens, then reduce heat to a simmer and let it reduce further to a thick consistency.
Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the chicken to the crock pot and pour the thickened sauce over it. Slightly shred the chicken into large chunks using forks or tongs.
Serve: Serve the bourbon chicken hot over rice, garnished with sliced green onions if desired.

Notes

You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs, but thighs remain juicier and more flavorful in slow cooking.
Adjust the bourbon amount based on your preference; use a good-quality bourbon for best flavor.
If you prefer a spicier sauce, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture.
Make sure to whisk the cornstarch slurry well before adding to avoid lumps in the sauce.
This dish pairs well with steamed rice or fried rice for a satisfying meal.