Crockpot Bourbon Chicken

Crockpot Bourbon Chicken is a savory and slightly sweet dish that brings together tender, shredded chicken thighs with a rich, flavorful sauce made from bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, and a hint of ginger. This easy slow-cooker recipe requires minimal prep time and does most of the work for you, making it perfect for busy weeknights or a relaxing weekend meal. With the bourbon providing depth and the brown sugar balancing the flavors with sweetness, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.

This recipe is both comforting and exciting, offering a perfect blend of flavors that will make your taste buds dance. The slow-cooked chicken absorbs all the savory goodness of the sauce, and once shredded, it creates a melt-in-your-mouth meal. The addition of red pepper flakes gives the dish a subtle heat, which can be adjusted depending on your preference. Whether served over steamed rice or alongside some vegetables, Crockpot Bourbon Chicken is the ultimate in easy, flavorful comfort food.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Minimal Prep Time

With just 10 minutes of prep work, this recipe is perfect for busy days when you don’t have much time but still want to enjoy a delicious meal.

2. Melt-In-Your-Mouth Chicken

The slow cooking process makes the chicken thighs tender and juicy, resulting in flavorful, shredded meat that pairs perfectly with the rich sauce.

3. Bold and Savory Flavors

The combination of bourbon, soy sauce, and brown sugar creates a deep, balanced sauce with a perfect blend of savory, sweet, and a touch of heat from the red pepper flakes.

4. Easy to Customize

This dish can easily be adapted to suit your tastes. You can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes for more or less heat, or add extra garlic and ginger for more flavor.

5. Perfect for Meal Prep

Since this dish makes enough to feed several people, it’s a great option for meal prep. Leftovers store well and can be enjoyed for a few days after making.

Ingredients

• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Low sodium soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Ketchup
• Bourbon
• Garlic, minced
• Ginger, minced
• Red pepper flakes
• Cornstarch
• Water
• Green onions (for garnish)

Variations

• Chicken Breasts: If you prefer using chicken breasts instead of thighs, you can easily substitute them. However, chicken thighs tend to stay more tender after slow cooking.
• Spicy Bourbon Chicken: Increase the red pepper flakes or add a diced jalapeño to bring more heat to the dish.
• Honey Bourbon Chicken: Swap the brown sugar with honey for a different kind of sweetness that complements the bourbon’s deep flavor.
• Vegetarian Option: For a vegetarian version, try substituting the chicken with tofu or tempeh. These can be slow-cooked in the same sauce and shredded for a meatless alternative.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into your crockpot. No need to brown the chicken before; it will cook directly in the sauce.

Step 2: Mix the Sauce

In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, bourbon, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken in the crockpot.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4-5 hours. The chicken should be fully cooked and tender enough to shred.

Step 4: Shred the Chicken

Once the chicken is done cooking, remove it from the crockpot and shred it using two forks. Set the shredded chicken aside.

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir this mixture into the sauce in the crockpot to thicken it. Let it cook for another 30 minutes on low to allow the sauce to thicken and coat the chicken.

Step 6: Combine and Serve

Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir it into the thickened sauce. Serve over steamed rice, and garnish with chopped green onions for added freshness.

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Use Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs are recommended because they stay tender and juicy when cooked in the crockpot. If you use chicken breasts, you may need to adjust the cooking time to avoid dry chicken.
• Adjust the Heat: If you want a spicier dish, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add fresh chili slices to the sauce.
• Double the Sauce: If you like extra sauce for your rice or vegetables, consider doubling the sauce ingredients for a saucier dish.
• Check for Tenderness: After cooking for 4 hours, check that the chicken is tender and easily shreddable. If not, cook for an additional 30 minutes.

How to Serve

Crockpot Bourbon Chicken is best served over steamed white or brown rice, which soaks up the flavorful sauce. You can also serve it alongside roasted vegetables, sautéed greens, or a fresh salad for a more balanced meal. For a different twist, serve it on toasted buns for a bourbon chicken sandwich or wrap it in tortillas for a bourbon chicken taco.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often deepen after sitting overnight, so this dish makes for great leftovers.

Freezing

Crockpot Bourbon Chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe bag or container. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and heat in the crockpot or on the stovetop until warmed through.

Reheating

To reheat, place the leftovers in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but for best results, use the stovetop or crockpot to keep the chicken moist.

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can use chicken breasts, but thighs are preferred for their tenderness in slow cooking.

2. How can I make this dish spicier?

Add more red pepper flakes or some diced fresh chilies to the sauce to ramp up the heat.

3. Can I make this dish without bourbon?

Yes, if you prefer not to use bourbon, you can substitute it with apple juice or chicken broth, but the flavor will be different.

4. How do I know when the chicken is done cooking?

The chicken is done when it is fully cooked through and easily shreds with a fork.

5. Can I use frozen chicken?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but be sure to add 1-2 extra hours of cooking time to ensure it cooks through completely.

6. Can I add vegetables to the crockpot?

Yes, vegetables like carrots, onions, or bell peppers can be added in the last hour of cooking for added flavor.

7. Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce the night before and cook it the next day, or store leftovers for a few days.

8. Is this recipe gluten-free?

This recipe contains soy sauce, which typically includes gluten. To make it gluten-free, substitute with gluten-free soy sauce.

9. Can I thicken the sauce without cornstarch?

Yes, you can use flour or arrowroot powder as alternatives to cornstarch for thickening the sauce.

10. How can I make this dish less sweet?

To reduce the sweetness, you can decrease the brown sugar or add a little more soy sauce to balance the flavor.

Conclusion

Crockpot Bourbon Chicken is an easy, flavorful dish that brings together savory, sweet, and a touch of heat, all while requiring minimal effort. The slow-cooked chicken absorbs the rich bourbon sauce, making each bite tender and flavorful. Whether you’re preparing it for a family dinner or a special occasion, this recipe is sure to impress. Its versatility and simple ingredients make it an ideal option for anyone looking to enjoy a hearty, comforting meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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