I still remember the first time I made this Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken—it was a chilly Thursday, and I was scrambling to get dinner ready between school pickups and laundry piles. The smell that filled the kitchen by 5 p.m.? Pure comfort. Sweet, savory, with a hint of warmth from the bourbon—this is a set-it-and-forget-it hero you’ll want on repeat.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken
This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken brings all the cozy vibes of mall-style takeout straight to your kitchen, but with a flavor twist inspired by New Orleans. It’s irresistibly sweet and savory, with just a whisper of tang and heat—plus that rich, caramel-kissed note from the bourbon (don’t worry, the alcohol cooks off!). Everything simmers down into a thick, sticky glaze that hugs every tender bite of chicken. And the best part? It’s wildly easy. Toss everything into the slow cooker, walk away, and come back to dinner practically done. This dish is family-friendly, crowd-pleasing, and flexible enough to serve over rice, noodles, or even crisp-tender veggies.
Serving Suggestions
This dish was made for white rice, but it’s just as tasty with noodles or spooned over a bowl of stir-fried vegetables. For a low-carb twist, wrap it in crisp lettuce leaves for an Asian-inspired lettuce wrap moment. It also makes a fantastic meal prep option for the week ahead!
Storage & Reheating
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To freeze, portion into meal-size servings and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed. The flavors deepen beautifully overnight, making leftovers even more delicious.
If you’re a fan of cozy, slow-simmered meals like this one, don’t miss this Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles – a comfort food classic with tender chunks of beef or our Hearty Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole for busy weeknights. Craving more takeout-style flavor? Try this Crockpot Pepper Steak with a savory soy-based sauce—it’s another slow cooker favorite that never disappoints.
For even more cozy dinner inspiration, check out Kai’s Pinterest collection—it’s packed with weeknight wonders and slow cooker gold.
FAQs
Why is my chicken in the crockpot still tough?
If your chicken is still tough, it likely hasn’t cooked long enough. Chicken thighs need time to break down connective tissue. Make sure you’re cooking on LOW for 4 hours for the best texture.
Do you marinate bourbon chicken?
Not in this recipe! The slow cooker acts like a long, gentle marinade. The chicken simmers in sauce for hours, soaking up every bit of flavor.
How long does it take for chicken to be done in a crock pot?
Why is my chicken in the crockpot still tough?
If your chicken is still tough, it likely hasn’t cooked long enough. Chicken thighs need time to break down connective tissue. Make sure you’re cooking on LOW for 4 hours for the best texture.
Do you marinate bourbon chicken?
Not in this recipe! The slow cooker acts like a long, gentle marinade. The chicken simmers in sauce for hours, soaking up every bit of flavor.
Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in crockpot?
LOW is best for tender, juicy chicken. Cooking on HIGH can dry it out, especially if left too long.
Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Recipe Card
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Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken – Sweet, Savory & Set-It-and-Forget-It Delicious
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
A slow-cooker version of mall-style Bourbon Chicken, inspired by New Orleans flavors.
Ingredients
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into 1-inch pieces)
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
½ cup apple juice
⅓ cup light brown sugar
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp cider vinegar
½ cup water
⅓ cup soy sauce
⅓ cup bourbon
1 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp cold water)
Instructions
1. Place chicken pieces in Crock Pot.
2. In a bowl, mix garlic powder, ground ginger, red pepper flakes, apple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, cider vinegar, water, soy sauce, and bourbon.
3. Pour sauce mixture over chicken.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours.
5. After 4 hours, stir in the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.
6. Let cook for an additional 10–15 minutes until thickened.
7. Serve over white rice.
Notes
Chicken breasts may be used but thighs are preferred for tenderness.
Bourbon will cook off; alcohol content is not retained.
For thicker sauce, adjust cornstarch or cook longer uncovered at the end.
Ideal for meal prep; leftovers reheat well.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Slow Cooker, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 289
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 776mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 113mg
