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Tender and juicy chicken thighs simmered in a brown sugar bourbon sauce all day long. Your family will love this melt-in-your-mouth crockpot bourbon chicken. A classic New Orleans recipe made easy in the crockpot!
I sure do LOVE New Orleans-inspired food! Try my jambalaya recipe, which is also made in the crockpot. This gumbo recipe is another fave and a classic New Orleans dish. I highly recommend a visit there just for the food, it’s SO yummy!
Crockpot Bourbon Chicken
Bourbon chicken is a dish named after the famous Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana. This recipe also uses bourbon to add a rich deep flavor to the sauce. Paired with sweet brown sugar, the sauce is sweet and sticky and SO delicious! Cooked low and slow, this crockpot bourbon chicken is an incredible dinner ready when you get home.
Crockpot dinners are the MVP at my house! They are easy to put together and are always our favorite dinners. Try this crack chicken, my famous pot roast, or this tasty beef and broccoli. They’re all made in the crockpot and I just know you will love them!
Ingredients Needed
Each ingredient in this crockpot bourbon chicken gives this recipe its mouthwatering flavor! And it’s less than 10 ingredients, which most likely you already have on hand! All measurements can be found below in the recipe card.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs are the secret weapon! It results in the most tender and flavorful chicken.
- Kosher Salt and Pepper: Season the chicken to taste with salt and pepper to add flavor.
- Bourbon: You can also use whiskey, apple juice, or chicken broth.
- Brown Sugar: This creates the sweetness in the sauce and gives the crockpot bourbon chicken the best flavor.
- Soy Sauce: Adds depth and richness to the sauce, giving the chicken that savory and slightly salty goodness that will wow your taste buds.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic adds great flavor!
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch is the thickening agent that helps create a luscious, glossy sauce.
- Cold Water: Make sure to use cold water to help dissolve the cornstarch.
Easy Crockpot Bourbon Chicken
Let’s make the best crockpot Bourbon chicken! It’s so incredibly easy, and the results are so tasty! You’re family will be begging you to make this weekly! The instructions are below and also in the recipe card.
- Season the Chicken and Place in Crockpot: Season the chicken thighs with salt & pepper on both sides and place them in the bottom of the crockpot.
- Make the Sauce and Pour Over Chicken: In a medium bowl add the bourbon, brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic. Stir well to combine. Pour over the chicken in the crockpot.
- Cover and Cook: Cover with the lid and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 3 hours.
- Add the Cornstarch Mixture: Add the cornstarch and water in a small bowl and whisk until combined. Whisk the cornstarch slurry into the sauce 30 minutes before the chicken is done cooking. This will thicken the sauce.
- Serve Over Rice: Enjoy the chicken over rice and garnish with green onions.
Crockpot Bourbon Chicken Tips
Ready to create mouthwatering bourbon chicken with the convenience of a crockpot? These easy tips and tricks will have you cooking up tender, flavor-packed chicken in no time.
- Chicken Thighs: Use chicken thighs for the best results. You are welcome to use chicken breast and it will cut down on the fat content too. Chicken thighs are just so juicy and tender. They also hold the flavor better!
- Bourbon Alternatives: If you don’t have bourbon, whiskey, brandy or even scotch will work in place of it.
- Leave Bourbon Out: The alcohol from the bourbon does evaporate completely while cooking. It is safe for children to eat. Just replace the bourbon with chicken broth or apple cider.
- Make it Spicy: If you love a little heat, add some red pepper flakes, or sriracha sauce to the glaze when whisking.
Storing Leftovers
Crockpot bourbon chicken makes the best leftovers for lunch the next day! Follow my tips below for storing and reheating this yummy chicken. Everyone will fight over the leftovers so be prepared!
- In the Refrigerator: Allow your crockpot bourbon chicken to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. As long as you keep it in the fridge, it should stay good for about 4 days.
- To Reheat: Pop your chicken in the microwave or warm over the stove. Make sure to warm it up with the sauce to keep it from drying out. And you’ll definitely want all the sauce you can get because it’s SO good.
More Chicken Dinner Ideas
Chicken is SO versatile and makes the best dinners! Most of our favorite dinner recipes start with chicken and I’ve lined up a few recipes for you to make this week. I can’t wait for you to try these!
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Crockpot Bourbon Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/3 cup bourbon, whiskey, apple juice, or chicken broth
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- Season the chicken thighs with salt & pepper on both sides and place them in the bottom of the crockpot.
- In a medium bowl add the bourbon, brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic. Stir well to combine. Pour over the chicken in the crockpot.
- Cover with the lid and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 3 hours.
- Add the cornstarch and water in a small bowl and whisk until combined. Whisk the cornstarch slurry into the sauce 30 minutes before the chicken is done cooking. This will thicken the sauce.
- Enjoy the chicken over rice and garnish with green onions.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Has anybody added instant white rice to the crockpot the last hour to soak up all the juice?
Hi JR, I haven’t tried this. I’m not sure there would be enough liquid to cook the rice. You might need to add a cup of chicken broth to the crockpot with the rice. Let me know how it turns out!
Has anyone used boneless chicken breast in this Bourbon Crock Pot Recipe?
This chicken was so delicious! It’s a complete “do over” recipe. I’ve already shared the recipe with several family members. Thank you so much. I’ve been trying to build my crockpot recipes and this was such a great addition! I served it over egg noodles because my Husband does not like rice. We spooned some of that yummy sauce over the noodles and places the chicken on top. So good.
Thanks for your comment and thanks for sharing the recipe as well! I’m so glad you like it! I love crockpot meals, they are just so easy, set it and forget it!
This was first time for me making bourbon chicken in a slow cooker. It was delicious. I only had 1/3 cup soy sauce, so I subbed coconut aminos for what I was missing.
Also, steamed some broccoli and mixed in at the end of the process to add some veg. Served with brown rice.
Chicken was super juicy and tender. Will probably always make bourbon chicken this way going forward!
Turned out yummy! I used the low sodium soy sauce. And smothered it over mashed potatoes.
I thought this recipe was great. Very tasty. Sauce came out great