Created on September 30th, 2025 at 04:58 pm
Sweet Meets Savory in Every Bite
This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken is bold, satisfying, and practically cooks itself. Tender chicken thighs are simmered low and slow in a luscious sauce that’s rich with brown sugar, bourbon, and garlic—resulting in a comforting, flavor-packed dish that’s fall-ready and family-approved.
Whether you’re craving a cozy weeknight meal or prepping ahead for an easy gathering, this dish checks all the boxes. Best of all? It’s low on effort and big on taste. Serve it over fluffy white rice or cauliflower rice for a lighter twist. You’re going to want seconds. 🍂
🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This is not your average slow cooker meal. The deep, caramelized sweetness from brown sugar pairs perfectly with the warm kick of bourbon and ginger. Chicken thighs stay incredibly tender as they soak up every bit of that bold, slow-simmered sauce.
Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or spice lovers, this dish delivers crowd-pleasing flavor with minimal hands-on time. One bite in, and it’ll be a repeat request. Bonus: it’s freezer-friendly for easy meal prep!
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (on high) or 6 hours (on low)
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Servings: 6
📝 Ingredients List
- 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup soy sauce
- ⅓ cup bourbon whiskey
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- ¼ cup chopped green onions, for garnish
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large slow cooker
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or fork
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Wooden spoon or spatula
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
- Layer the chicken: Place trimmed chicken thighs at the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Mix the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, bourbon, vinegar, ginger, honey, red pepper flakes, and garlic.
- Pour it in: Cover the chicken with your bourbon mixture.
- Cook low & slow: Set on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours—until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Shred & set aside: Remove chicken, chop or shred it to your liking.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch + water. Stir slurry into the sauce.
- Combine & finish: Return chicken to the slow cooker. Stir to coat. Let cook for 5–10 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Serve & garnish: Top with chopped green onions. Enjoy over your favorite rice! 🍚✨
💡 Pro Tips
- Storage: Keeps well in the fridge for 4 days. Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Substitutions: Try maple syrup instead of honey for deeper fall flavor.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Portion into containers with rice for grab-and-go lunches.
- Serving Idea: Add steamed broccoli or sautéed cabbage on the side for crunch!
📊 Nutrition Table
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 plate | 420 | 18g | 35g | 22g | 4g | 6g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.
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