Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken

This Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken recipe has a sweet, tangy glaze and just a little bit of heat. Toss a few ingredients in your slow cooker in the morning and let it simmer until dinnertime for a meal that the whole family will love.

If you’re tired of making the same old crockpot soups and stews, mix it up with these Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas or these Slow Cooker French Dip Sammies.

Black ladle spooning bourbon chicken out of the slow cooker.


Why This Recipe is Best

Bourbon Chicken brings a world of flavors together in one easy slow cooker recipe.

Every bite delivers an explosion of tangy, sweet and savory flavor with hint of spice to make your taste buds say “WOW.”

  • 10 minutes of prep.
  • Set it and forget it!
  • Made with real bourbon.
  • Amazingly flavorful chicken.

Slow cooking the chicken for hours in a bourbon based sauce makes it unbelievably tender and juicy. Love this? Try our Instant Pot Bourbon chicken recipe next!

Bourbon Chicken Ingredients

Ingredients needed to make slow cooker bourbon chicken.
  • Bourbon whiskey – The alcohol cooks off as the sauce cooks, leaving behind a smoky caramel flavor.
  • Apple juice – Cuts the bite of the bourbon and brings sweetness to the sauce, along with brown sugar and honey.
  • Ketchup – This pantry staple condiment gives the sauce its tang.
  • Chicken thighs – These are always our choice for slow cooker chicken recipes. The higher fat content means they stay juicy, even after cooking for several hours.
  • Cornstarch – Mixed with a little water, the starch helps thicken the sauce.
  • Green onions – Add color and a fresh finishing touch to your chicken by sprinkling these on top just before serving.

We also use garlic, ginger and a few red chili flakes to complete this bourbon chicken recipe .

Easy Instructions

Step by step photos showing how to make bourbon chicken,
  1. Mix together the marinade. You can whisk all the marinade ingredients right in the slow cooker. No need to dirty a second bowl, unless you like washing dishes!
  2. Add the chicken. Place your chicken thighs in the pot. Spoon some of the marinade on top to make sure sauce touches every part of the chicken.
  3. Slow cook. Cover the pot and cook the bourbon chicken on low 6 to 8 hours. Shred or dice the chicken then return it to the pot.
  4. Thicken the sauce. Remove the lid and stir a slurry of cornstarch and water into the sauce. Let it simmer for at least 20 minutes or until you’re ready to eat.

Add your sliced green onions right before serving for a little pop of color and flavor to this dish! ENJOY!

Tips and Tricks

  • Serving suggestions: Try this bourbon chicken on a simple bed of white or brown rice. It’s also delicious in lettuce wraps!
  • Storing: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It reheats well in the microwave or simmered for a few minutes on the stove.
  • Serve diced or shredded: Slow cooked chicken shreds easily with two forks. This chicken can also be served diced if preferred!
Bourbon chicken in slow cooker with green onions.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead?

I don’t recommend chicken breasts in this recipe. They are leaner and therefore prone to drying out when cooked for long periods of time. Chicken thighs are the way to go for slow cooker bourbon chicken!

What is a cornstarch slurry?

A slurry is a combination of starch and water. Dissolving the cornstarch in the water prior to adding it to the sauce, gets rid of any lumps so the sauce thickens without any surprise bits of undissolved starch making their way into your meal.

I’m in a hurry. Can I cook this chicken on high to make it faster?

You can, but the slower you cook the chicken, the better the flavor will be. I haven’t tested this recipe on the high setting of my slow cooker so I can’t vouch for the results.

More Dinner Recipes:

Easy Side Dishes

See all Side Dishes recipes

Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken

4.50 from 10 votes
By: Aimee
This Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken recipe has a sweet, tangy glaze and must be put on your dinner menu soon!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients 

  • ½ cup apple juice
  • ½ cup Bourbon
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 2 Tablespoons honey
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red chili flakes
  • 4 cloves garlic pressed
  • ½ teaspoon ginger
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 Tablespoons water
  • 3 green onions sliced
Save this Recipe?
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox!

Instructions 

  • In a large slow cooker, combine the apple juice, Bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, honey, chili flakes, garlic and ginger with a whisk until well blended.
  • Place chicken in slow cooker, and spoon marinade over the top of the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  • About half hour prior to serving, remove chicken and dice into bite sized pieces (or shred it). In a small glass, or bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until a thick paste. Add it to the marinade in the slow cooker, stirring until combined. Return the chicken to the slow cooker, cover and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes, to allow glaze to thicken.
  • Before serving, sprinkle with green onions. ENJOY!

Notes

  • Serving suggestions: Try this bourbon chicken on a simple bed of white or brown rice. It's also delicious in lettuce wraps!
  • Storing: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It reheats well in the microwave or simmered for a few minutes on the stove.
  • Serve diced or shredded: Slow cooked chicken shreds easily with two forks. This chicken can also be served diced if preferred!
  • Nutrition

    Calories: 407kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 38g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 184mg, Sodium: 950mg, Sugar: 25g
    Course: Main Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

    Make the best Bourbon Chicken at home with your slow cooker! Slow cooked in a sweet and sticky sauce, this chicken is better than takeout and just as easy.



    Avatar photo

    About Aimee

    Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

    Learn more about Aimee.

    Affiliate Disclosure:**There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I love! Thank you for supporting Shugary Sweets! See my disclosure policy for more info**

    Learn How To Become a Better Home Baker
    Sign up for the Shugary Sweets FREE Email Course Today—soon you’ll say, "I made it from scratch!"

    Categories:


    Posted on March 25, 2022

    Comments & Reviews

    1. This is a favorite of all three of my children, even the picky one! I have made it exactly as written and with chicken broth as a substitute for the bourbon. I prefer the bourbon but both are delicious!

    2. 🔥🔥🔥🔥!!! But I didn’t use a crockpot. I grilled the chicken thighs and lightly seasoned with salt and pepper. Gave them a gorgeous smoky taste. Made the sauce on the stove top and poured that over the cut up thighs. Holy smokes! Will definitely make again! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

    3. I used my AROMA RICE COOKER to make this recipe and I used chicken wings instead. I found the skin on the wings got a bit rubbery so I’m going to try the thighs next. The sauce this recipe makes is so delicious. I will make this again for sure, thanks for sharing this, I love it!

    4. Is it supposed to still smell like alcohol? I made this and it’s been cooking for about 5ish hours now and I still smell it. And I wanna make sure it still safe to feed my kiddos

    5. Hi Aimee!
      I’m anxious to try this delicious recipe asap. It’s just me & my husband though. Can I cut the marinade recipe in half? Thank you ????

    6. Lol, I am heading straight for doom when my girls get older!! Love bourbon chicken and it’s been so long since I’ve had some, I need to fix that right away!!

    7. Ah, I remember those teenage trips to the mall! 🙂 This looks like a great meal for all to enjoy! So good, and perfect for busy families!

    8. This looks truly amazing, a must try recipe. Thank you so much for including a link to our Healthy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken, we love that recipe!!

    9. I would much rather chomp down on this gorgeously decadent, slow cooker Bourbon Chicken than the stuff I find at my mall!

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating