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Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken

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This easy crock pot bourbon chicken features tender chicken thighs simmered in a sweet, sticky, and savory sauce with a hint of bourbon. It’s a comforting, hands-off slow cooker dinner perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or Tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey (or apple juice for alcohol-free)
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (or extra ketchup)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • Sliced green onions, for garnish (optional)
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
  • Cooked white or brown rice, or cauliflower rice, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Trim excess fat from chicken thighs and cut into bite-sized pieces (about 1 inch). Season lightly with salt and black pepper.
  2. In a medium bowl or directly in the slow cooker, whisk together soy sauce, bourbon, brown sugar, honey, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, hoisin sauce, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes until smooth.
  3. Place chicken pieces in the slow cooker and pour sauce over the chicken. Stir gently to coat.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2.5-3 hours, until chicken is very tender and cooked through (165°F).
  5. About 20 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker and mix gently.
  6. Cover and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot over rice, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, use Tamari or coconut aminos and check your hoisin sauce. Chicken breasts can be substituted but may dry out if overcooked. Adjust sweetness or saltiness to taste after thickening the sauce. Leftovers store well and taste even better the next day. Freeze for up to 3 months. For extra veggies, add bell peppers or pineapple in the last hour of cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: crock pot bourbon chicken, slow cooker, easy dinner, chicken thighs, sticky sauce, meal prep, gluten-free option, family dinner, bourbon chicken recipe

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/crock-pot-bourbon-chicken-recipe-best-easy-slow-cooker-dinner/