Description
This Crockpot Bourbon Chicken recipe offers tender, juicy chicken thighs slow-cooked to perfection with a rich and flavorful bourbon-infused sauce. Sweetened with brown sugar and balanced with soy sauce and garlic, this comforting dish is easy to prepare and ideal for serving over rice, garnished with fresh green onions for an added pop of color and freshness.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 1/3 cup bourbon (whiskey, apple juice, or chicken broth as alternatives)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Thickener
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons cold water
Garnish
- Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Season the boneless skinless chicken thighs evenly with kosher salt and pepper on both sides. Place the seasoned chicken at the bottom of the crockpot, ensuring they are in a single layer for even cooking.
- Prepare Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine bourbon, brown sugar, soy sauce, and minced garlic. Stir thoroughly to blend all ingredients into a well-mixed sauce.
- Add Sauce to Crockpot: Pour the prepared bourbon sauce over the chicken thighs in the crockpot, making sure all pieces are coated well.
- Cook Chicken: Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on low heat for 4 hours or on high heat for 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Thicken Sauce: About 30 minutes before the chicken finishes cooking, mix cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl until smooth to create a slurry. Whisk this slurry into the crockpot sauce to thicken it as it finishes cooking.
- Serve and Garnish: Once done, serve the bourbon chicken hot over cooked rice. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- You can substitute bourbon with whiskey, apple juice, or chicken broth if preferred or for a milder flavor.
- Adjust the soy sauce and brown sugar quantities to suit your taste for saltiness and sweetness.
- Serve the chicken over rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the sauce for 30 minutes before cooking, if time allows.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
