This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe is slow cooked to perfection with a thick and delicious honey bourbon sauce. Tender chicken blended with honey, brown sugar, teriyaki sauce and more make a meal that everyone will want more of.

Bourbon Chicken in a white bowl served over rice with a fork
Want to save this?
Just enter your email and I’ll send it right to you, plus great new recipes weekly!

Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe:

Our family loves chicken dishes and we wanted something new but easy to make. This bourbon chicken crockpot recipe was born and boy is it amazing. The chicken is slow cooked in a ginger bourbon sauce to make a flavorful meal.

This is the perfect weeknight meal. Add you chicken thighs to the crock pot and add the ingredients and cook on low. You will be amazed how tender and juicy the chicken turns out.

Serve the bourbon chicken over rice or noodles with a side of vegetables to make an amazing meal idea. Sweet and savory chicken recipe that will soon be a family favorite slow cooker recipe.

Bourbon Chicken in a crock pot with a serving on a spoon

What is Bourbon Chicken?

Bourbon Chicken originated from the famous street, Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Also because it has Bourbon Whiskey in it. You will find this dish in at the mall at the food courts or Chinese Restaurants.

The ingredients include soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and bourbon whiskey. The chicken is marinated in this sauce for the added flavor. This dish is usually served over white rice.

This Asian inspired dish is sweet, savory and delicious.

Bourbon Chicken in a crock pot with a serving on a spoon

Can I use Chicken Breast?

We prefer to use chicken thighs in this recipe, but you can easily use chicken breast. You may need to adjust your cooking time as chicken breast can turn dry if cooked to long.

But cooking the chicken in the sauce allows for it to stay moist and tender resulting a delicious chicken dish.

Ingredients needed - ground ginger, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, pepper, soy sauce, ketchup, vinegar, bourbon, brown sugar, honey

Ingredients for Bourbon Chicken Sauce:

The sauce is truly what makes this meal amazing. It is so easy and you only need a few simple ingredients for this bourbon sauce:

  • Ground Ginger 
  • Minced Garlic 
  • Red Pepper Flakes (optional) 
  • Pepper 
  • Soy Sauce 
  • Ketchup 
  • Apple Cider Vinegar 
  • Bourbon 
  • Brown Sugar 
  • Honey
Bourbon Chicken in a bowl over rice with a fork

Ingredients:

  • Boneless Chicken Chicken Thighs
  • Cornstarch
  • Ground Ginger
  • Minced Garlic
  • Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
  • Black Pepper
  • Soy Sauce
  • Ketchup
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Bourbon
  • Brown Sugar
  • Honey

How To Make Bourbon Crock Pot Chicken:

  • Step 1 – Place chicken in the slow cooker.
  • Step 2 – In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients. 
Mixing the bourbon sauce in a bowl
  • Step 3 – Then pour the sauce over the chicken in the crock pot. 
Adding the ingredients to the slow cooker
  • Step 4 – Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-3 ½ hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender. 
  • Step 5 – Remove the chicken.  Cut it into bite size pieces and set it aside. 
  • Step 6 – Whisk the cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of cold water.  Whisk this mixture into the sauce in the crock pot. 
  • Step 7 – Cover and cook on high for 20 minutes until the sauce thickens.  Stir the chicken back into the crock pot. 
  • Step 8 – Serve over rice, top with green onions and enjoy! 

What to Serve with Crockpot Bourbon Chicken?

  • White Rice – Serve your chicken on a bed of rice drizzled with the sauce. It is so good and you will just want to gobble up every last drop of that sauce.
  • Roasted Broccoli – Keep things simple and just add a simple side salad. You could also try Roasted Green Beans or learn how to steam broccoli in the microwave for a super easy veggie side dish.
  • Brown Rice – If you prefer you can use Brown Rice as an easy side. Microwave Brown Rice is easy to make.
  • Egg Noodles – You can also serve this bourbon chicken over some egg noodles.
Bourbon Chicken in a bowl over rice with a fork

Can I Make Bourbon Chicken in the Oven?

Yes, this bourbon chicken would be amazing baked in the oven.

  • Place chicken thighs in a baking dish.
  • Combine the bourbon sauce in a mixing bowl.
  • Then pour over the chicken.
  • Baking in a Preheated oven at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes.
  • Use a Meat Thermometer to ensure that chicken is cook. It should have an internal temperature of 165 degrees before serving.
  • Serve over rice with a side of roasted vegetables for an amazing meal idea.

How to Make Bourbon Chicken Recipe without Bourbon?

If you would prefer not to use Bourbon in this recipe there are few things that you can use as a substitute. If you do decide to substitute the Bourbon, keep in mine that you will use lose some of that flavor.

You can add in some apple juice or increase your serving of the chicken broth. Both will add flavor to the chicken but you will miss that kick of flavor that Bourbon gives the recipe.

We also like adding in some red pepper flakes to this bourbon street chicken. The red pepper flakes give it a little extra kick. We love bourbon chicken.

Bourbon Chicken in a bowl over rice with a fork

How to Thicken the Sauce?

When we make Bourbon Chicken we like to have a thicker sauce. We prefer to thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry.

  • Mix 1 Tablespoon of Cornstarch and 1 Tablespoon of water together.
  • Once blended together, pour into the slow cooker.
  • Place the lid back on the crock pot and allow about 20 minutes for the sauce to thicken.
  • Add the chicken back to the crock pot, stir to combine then serve over rice.

Tips for Crock Pot Honey Bourbon Chicken:

  • Make in Instant Pot – If you prefer the pressure cooker, try making Instant Pot Honey Bourbon Chicken Recipe.
  • Change the Chicken – You can make this recipe with chicken thighs or chicken tenders if you prefer.
  • Thicker Sauce – Make a cornstarch slurry or flour slurry to thicken the bourbon sauce.
  • Spicy Sauce – If you prefer a spicier sauce, add in some red pepper flakes or siracha sauce.
  • Bourbon Ingredients – We recommend combining ingredients in a separate bowl before adding to the slow cooker. This allows for the ingredient combine thoroughly.
  • Shredding Chicken – You can shred the chicken or cut into chicken pieces.
Bourbon Chicken in a bowl over rice with a fork

How to Store Leftovers:

Store your leftovers in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. Make sure to place in an air tight container. We love the slow cooker bourbon chicken the next day because the sauce really marinates in the chicken.

Bourbon Chicken in a bowl over rice with a fork

Can I prepare Bourbon Chicken in Advance?

Yes, Bourbon Chicken is the perfect meal to prepare ahead of time. We love to stock our freezer with meals that we can easily place in the slow cooker for a busy morning.

The bourbon chicken ingredients can be placed in a freezer safe bag. Do not add the cornstarch and water ingredients. You will need to add those after cooking to thicken the sauce.

This freezer meal will last about 4 months in your freezer if frozen properly. Once you are ready to cook, you can toss in your instant pot or crock pot. The ingredients will cook perfectly and you have a delicious meal to come home to.

How to Freeze:

Bourbon Chicken Freezes great if it is stored properly. Place the leftover chicken in an air tight freezer container and place in the freezer. The Bourbon Chicken will stay good for about 3 months.

When ready to serve, place in the refrigerator to thaw overnight and serve over rice.

Easy Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe:

This recipe is one of my favorite chicken recipes to make. We eat a lot of chicken and so I definitely have to change things up to make sure my family will eat it. This sauce is sweet and savory and mixed with the chicken makes it so delicious.

This is perfect for a weeknight meal or if you have guest over. They will be so impressed with this meal. Serve over white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice with a side of vegetables and your meal is complete.

Print this Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe below:

Want to save this?
Just enter your email and I’ll send it right to you, plus great new recipes weekly!

Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

5 from 12 votes
Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe is slow cooked to perfection with a tasty bourbon sauce. Everyone will love this sweet and savory chicken.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Servings 6
Cuisine American
Course Main Course
Calories 363

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds Boneless Chicken Chicken Thighs
  • 1 Tablespoons cornstarch

Sauce Ingredients:

Instructions

  • Place the chicken thighs in a 6 quart crock pot. 
  • In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients.  Then pour this mixture over the chicken in the crock pot. 
  • Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-3 ½ hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender. 
  • Remove the chicken.  Cut it into bite size pieces and set it aside. 
  • Whisk the cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of cold water.  Whisk this mixture into the sauce in the crock pot. 
  • Cover and cook on high for 20 minutes until the sauce thickens.  Stir the chicken back into the crock pot. 
  • Serve over rice and enjoy! 

Recipe Notes

The sauce can be thickened on the stovetop.  Pour the sauce from the crock pot into a saucepan.  Heat over medium high heat.  Whisk the cornstarch slurry into the sauce and heat until thickened.  Then add back to the crock pot.  
Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. 
You can use Apple juice instead of bourbon if you prefer. 

Nutrition Facts

Calories 363kcal, Carbohydrates 17g, Protein 45g, Fat 9g, Saturated Fat 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat 2g, Monounsaturated Fat 3g, Trans Fat 0.04g, Cholesterol 215mg, Sodium 838mg, Potassium 633mg, Fiber 0.3g, Sugar 14g, Vitamin A 156IU, Vitamin C 1mg, Calcium 34mg, Iron 2mg

Pin This Now to Remember It Later

Pin Recipe

More Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes:

Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe is slow cooked to perfection with a tasty bourbon sauce. Everyone will love this sweet and savory chicken.  The chicken is slow cooked in a ginger bourbon sauce to make a flavorful meal. #eatingonadime #bourbonchicken #slowcookerrecipes

Try these other recipes

Share this recipe!

PinYummly

About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

Leave A Comment

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

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. I seared my chicken and added my own touch to this. Balsamic Vinegar and a small can of crushed pineapple. Think it is going to be awesome!!

  2. Yes, chicken breasts will work great in this recipe. I would reduce the cooking time by 1 hour in the crock pot so they don’t dry out. Thanks.

  3. 5 stars
    Looks awesome, but all I have are chicken breasts – how can I modify the recipe to account for that without over/undercooking? Many thanks!

  4. 5 stars
    Oh. it’s very good. I think this is my family’s favorite food in the future.

  5. 5 stars
    Another great recipe and super yummy.? Makes a lot if sauce to put on rice. Will be making again. Thanks.

  6. 5 stars
    I absolutely love this recipe. This is one recipe I don’t mind having leftovers for the next day.