Skip to Main Content
Test Kitchen Approved

Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken

Time: 6 hours 20 minutes

Yield: 6 servings

recipe image

About

Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken is the kind of barbecue other barbecue dreams about at night! The bourbon sauce is rich, tart, tangy, and smoky, with just enough sweetness and spiciness to really make the tender cooked chicken shine. Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken ensures the chicken is at its maximum juiciness and is completely coated in the luscious liquor-infused sauce. This is an easy dinner that delivers barbecue flavor without needing to fire up the grill.

Recommended Articles

Ingredients

  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger, freshly grated
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes
  • 1/3 cup apple juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons water, divided
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • 3 pounds chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup green onions, sliced, plus more, to taste
  • rice, optional, to taste, cooked and hot, for serving

Directions

Step 1 -In a small bowl, mix the ginger, the garlic, the chili flakes, the apple juice, the honey, the brown sugar, the ketchup, the cider vinegar, 1/4 cup of the water, the bourbon, the soy sauce, the salt, and the pepper.

Step 2 -Place the chicken thighs in a slow cooker.

Step 3 -Pour the sauce over the top of the chicken thighs.

Step 4 -Cover and cook for 6-7 hours on low or for 3 hours on high.

Step 5 -Remove the chicken thighs and chop or shred it into bite-sized pieces.

Step 6 -Cover the chicken to keep it warm and set it aside.

Step 7 -In a small bowl, whish the remaining water with the cornstarch.

Step 8 -Turn the slow cooker up to high.

Step 9 -Whisk the slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker.

Step 10 -Cover and allow to thicken, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.

Step 11 -Stir the chicken back into the sauce.

Step 12 -Add 1/4 cup of the green onions and stir.

Step 13 -Serve over the rice and top with the extra green onions.

Explore More Favorites