Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe is a Must-Try Dish!

The first time I ever had crock pot bourbon chicken, it wasn’t in some fancy restaurant — it was in a food court. You know the scene: a tray of free samples, a sticky bite on a toothpick, and suddenly you’re ordering a plate piled high with glossy, sweet, savory chicken. It was love at first bite.

But here’s the truth: the homemade bourbon chicken you can make in a slow cooker puts those food court versions to shame. With a crockpot, you get tender, fall-apart chicken, rich bourbon glaze, and a meal that basically cooks itself while you get on with your day.

What is Bourbon Chicken?

Despite the name, bourbon chicken didn’t start in Kentucky — it was born on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. It’s a mash-up of Chinese and Cajun influences: soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar simmered into a sticky glaze with a splash of bourbon whiskey.

The result? That perfect combo of sweet, salty, tangy, and smoky. And when you make it as a bourbon chicken made in slow cooker, the flavors sink even deeper.

Why Choose a Crock Pot for This Recipe?

Let me put it simply: slow cooker bourbon chicken is the easiest path to juicy, flavorful chicken. Here’s why:

• Tender chicken every time — thighs hold up beautifully to hours of slow cooking.
  
• Deep flavor development — the sauce has hours to work its way in.
  
• Convenience — toss everything in, walk away, come back to dinner.

That’s why this crockpot bourbon chicken recipe is my go-to when I want big flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients for Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Here’s your grocery list, chef-style:

Step-by-Step Preparation of Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

Line up your ingredients. This is mise en place — trust me, it makes cooking smoother.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Trim fat, cut into bite-sized pieces. For extra depth, quickly sear the chicken in a skillet. Most people skip this, but it builds flavor.

Step 3: Mix the Sauce

Whisk bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, garlic, and ginger in a bowl. Taste it — this is your chance to balance sweet and savory before it cooks.

Step 4: Combine Ingredients in the Crock Pot

Place chicken in your crockpot. Pour sauce over and stir to coat.

Step 5: Set the Cooking Time

• Low: 6–7 hours (best).
  
• High: 3–4 hours.

This is how you get that bourbon chicken crock pot easy recipe — effortless, but big results.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Mix cornstarch with water, stir into sauce, cook 15 more minutes. The glaze will thicken into that mall-style glossy finish. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

Variations of Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Adding Vegetables

Toss in bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli in the last hour. You’ll turn this into a one-pot dinner.

Spicy Bourbon Chicken Variation

Add sriracha, chili flakes, or hot sauce. Sweet-heat lovers, this is your move.

Cooking Note for Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

• Bourbon chicken thighs crock pot > chicken breasts. They’re juicier and more forgiving.
  
• Don’t let it cook past 8 hours. Even thighs start to fall apart too much.

Serving Suggestions

Best Side Dishes to Pair

• Steamed white rice
  
• Fried rice
  
• Lo mein noodles
  
• Roasted green beans

Creative Serving Ideas

• Bourbon chicken lettuce wraps.
  
• Over mashed sweet potatoes.
  
• As a bourbon chicken rice bowl with veggies.
  
• Even stuffed into sandwiches.

Tips for Perfecting Your Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

• Don’t overcrowd the pot. If you double it, use a bigger slow cooker.
  
• Taste balance is key. Too sweet? Add vinegar. Too sharp? Add honey.
  
• Thicken smart. Cornstarch slurry is easiest. Reducing the sauce on the stovetop works too.

Suggested Internal Linking Opportunities

Alternative Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

• Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
  
• Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
  
• Crockpot Kielbasa and Green Beans

Chicken-Based Recipes for Variation

• Fiesta Lime Chicken
  
• Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken
  
• Cowboy Butter Chicken

FAQs about Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Conclusion

There you have it — crockpot chicken with bourbon sauce that’s sticky, savory, and totally crave-worthy. This slow cooked bourbon chicken gives you restaurant-level flavor with almost zero effort.

Make it once, and I promise it’ll be on your regular dinner rotation. This is the chicken I want to eat.

Want more recipes like this? Check out my Pinterest page for more easy, flavor-packed dishes you can bring to the table.

Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe is a Must-Try Dish!

Print Recipe

This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe is a sticky, savory, and totally crave-worthy dish that brings together sweet, salty, tangy, and smoky flavors in the easiest way possible.

• Author: Emilio
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey (or apple juice)
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tbsp cornstarch (for slurry)
• 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Gather and prepare all ingredients.
2. Trim excess fat from chicken and cut into bite-sized pieces. Optional: sear chicken in a skillet for extra flavor.
3. In a bowl, whisk together bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, garlic, and ginger.
4. Place chicken into crock pot and pour sauce mixture over. Stir to coat.
5. Cook on Low for 6–7 hours or High for 3–4 hours.
6. Mix cornstarch with 2 tbsp water and stir into the sauce. Cook an additional 15 minutes until sauce thickens.
7. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving.

Notes

Best made with chicken thighs for juicier results. Do not overcook past 8 hours or chicken will fall apart too much.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 850mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: crock pot bourbon chicken, slow cooker bourbon chicken, bourbon chicken thighs