Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe (Sweet, Sticky & Effortless)

Introduction

If you’re searching for a dependable slow-cooker dinner that delivers bold flavor with almost no effort, this Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe deserves a permanent place in your rotation. Sweet, savory, and gently spiced, bourbon chicken is a comfort-food classic inspired by American-Chinese takeout and Southern flavor traditions. Cooking it low and slow transforms simple pantry ingredients into a glossy, caramelized sauce that clings to every bite of tender chicken.

What makes this Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe truly special is how approachable it is. There’s no browning, no complicated prep, and no hovering over the stove. Everything goes straight into the slow cooker, where time does the heavy lifting. The bourbon cooks down beautifully, leaving behind a deep, rich sweetness without overpowering the dish. Paired with soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger, the result is a balanced sauce that tastes indulgent yet familiar.

This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, meal prep, or casual entertaining. It reheats beautifully, freezes well, and pairs with everything from steamed rice to roasted vegetables. Whether you’re new to slow-cooker cooking or a seasoned pro, this Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe delivers restaurant-style flavor with home-kitchen ease.

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What Is Bourbon Chicken?

Despite its name, bourbon chicken isn’t a traditional French dish, nor does it taste boozy. The name comes from Bourbon Street in New Orleans, where versions of this dish gained popularity. Over time, it evolved into a sweet-savory chicken dish commonly found in American-Chinese food courts.

In this Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe, bourbon adds depth, warmth, and complexity rather than sharp alcohol flavor. During slow cooking, the alcohol content reduces significantly, leaving behind subtle notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak that enhance the sauce rather than dominate it.

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Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

This dish checks all the boxes for an ideal slow-cooker meal:

• Minimal prep – 10 minutes and you’re done

• Deep flavor with simple pantry ingredients

• Hands-off cooking in the Crock Pot

• Family-friendly with adjustable heat

• Perfect for meal prep and leftovers

• Better than takeout and far more affordable

If you love sweet-savory chicken dishes like teriyaki or orange chicken, this Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe offers that same comfort with richer depth and less sugar overload.

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Ingredients Breakdown & Flavor Roles

Understanding each ingredient helps you customize this recipe to your taste.

Chicken Thighs

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are ideal because they stay juicy and tender during long cooking times. They absorb the sauce beautifully and don’t dry out like breasts can.

Brown Sugar

Light brown sugar provides sweetness and molasses notes that help create the sticky glaze bourbon chicken is known for.

Soy Sauce

This is the savory backbone of the dish. It balances the sweetness and brings umami depth.

Bourbon Whiskey

Adds warmth, caramel notes, and complexity. The alcohol cooks off, leaving flavor behind.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Cuts through the sweetness and keeps the sauce balanced rather than cloying.

Garlic & Ginger

These aromatics bring classic Asian-inspired flavor and prevent the sauce from tasting flat.

Honey

Enhances the glaze and gives the sauce that glossy, lacquered finish.

Red Pepper Flakes

Adds gentle heat. Easily adjustable based on preference.

Cornstarch Slurry

Thickens the sauce at the end, creating that signature sticky coating.

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Step-By-Step Cooking Instructions (Detailed)

Step 1: Load the Slow Cooker

Place trimmed chicken thighs in a single layer in the bottom of your Crock Pot. Overlapping is fine—this recipe is forgiving.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, ginger, honey, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic. Make sure the sugar is fully dissolved.

Step 3: Pour & Cook

Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken. Cover and cook:

• HIGH: 4 hours

• LOW: 6 hours

The chicken should be very tender and easy to shred.

Step 4: Shred or Chop

Remove the chicken and shred or chop it, depending on your preferred texture.

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce

Mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir it into the sauce in the slow cooker. Let it cook uncovered for 5–10 minutes until thickened.

Step 6: Return Chicken & Finish

Add the chicken back into the slow cooker and stir until evenly coated. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

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Serving Suggestions

This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe pairs beautifully with:

• Steamed white rice

• Brown rice

• Cauliflower rice (low-carb option)

• Fried rice

• Noodles or lo mein

• Steamed broccoli or green beans

• Roasted carrots or bell peppers

For a bowl-style meal, layer rice, bourbon chicken, and vegetables, then drizzle extra sauce over the top.

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Tips for Perfect Bourbon Chicken Every Time

• Don’t skip the vinegar – it keeps the sauce balanced

• Thighs > breasts for juiciness

• Taste before thickening and adjust sweetness or salt

• Use low-sodium soy sauce if sensitive to salt

• Let the sauce simmer after thickening for maximum gloss

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Variations & Customizations

Spicy Bourbon Chicken

Increase red pepper flakes or add chili garlic sauce.

Pineapple Bourbon Chicken

Add crushed pineapple (drained) during the last hour for a sweet-tropical twist.

Vegetable-Loaded Version

Add sliced bell peppers or snap peas in the final hour.

Gluten-Free

Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.

Lower Sugar

Reduce brown sugar by ¼ cup and replace with additional honey or monk fruit sweetener.

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Storage, Reheating & Freezing

Refrigeration

Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of water if needed.

Freezing

Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.

Print

Nutrition Information (Per Serving – Approximate)

• Calories: 520 kcal

• Protein: 36 g

• Fat: 18 g

• Saturated Fat: 4 g

• Carbohydrates: 48 g

• Sugar: 34 g

• Fiber: 1 g

• Sodium: 1,180 mg

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does bourbon chicken taste alcoholic?
No. The alcohol cooks off, leaving a deep, caramel-like flavor.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. It reheats beautifully and is perfect for meal prep.

Can I use chicken breasts?
Yes, but reduce cooking time slightly to prevent dryness.

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Final Thoughts

This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe is the kind of dish that earns a spot in your regular dinner rotation. It delivers bold, crave-worthy flavor with almost no effort, making it ideal for busy schedules without sacrificing quality or taste. The slow cooker transforms humble ingredients into a rich, sticky sauce that rivals restaurant versions—without the excess grease or mystery ingredients.

What truly sets this recipe apart is its flexibility. You can adjust the sweetness, spice level, or even protein choice while keeping the same comforting foundation. It works just as well for a quiet family dinner as it does for meal prepping lunches or feeding a crowd.