Easy Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken That’s Perfect for Family Dinner

Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken always swoops in to save my weeknight dinner headaches. Honestly, when everyone’s grumbling about food and I’m barely keeping up, this is my ace in the hole. The whole house smells like a five-star restaurant, except I’ve barely lifted a finger.

It’s as easy as my favorite crockpot teriyaki chicken or that very simple crockpot chicken tortellini recipe I always rave about, but it tastes like a pro cooked it. If your family loves sweet, saucy chicken (and who doesn’t, let’s be honest) you gotta try this.

TL;DR – Crockpot Bourbon Chicken Recipe

• Prep Time: 10 minutes dump-and-go
• Cook Time: 5-6 hrs low (3 hrs high)
• Main Flavor: Sweet, savory, and tangy with bourbon glaze
• Best Cut: Juicy boneless chicken thighs (or breasts if preferred)
• Perfect For: Easy weeknight dinners, meal prep, family-friendly slow cooker meals
• Serve With: Steamed rice, broccoli, or a quick sweet potato side
• Leftovers: Store 3 days in fridge or 2 months frozen

Looking for more slow cooker dinner ideas? Try Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken or this Hamburger Potato Casserole.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Bourbon Chicken Recipe

Let me spell it out: simple, kid-approved, and, legit, tastes just as good if not better than takeout. The sauce is sticky but not cloying, a little tang, a little warmth, but nothing overpowering. And, oh, it’s forgiving – you can’t mess it up unless you forget to plug in the slow cooker (which… well, now and then, right?). Plus, the chicken stays super tender, so leftover panic nope not here. My own kids DEVOUR this. No, really, elbows flying at the table.

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Perfect for Meal Prep and Busy Weeknights

I’d be lying if I said meal planning is my strength, but Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken? It practically plans itself. Toss it all in and forget it until dinner. The leftovers reheat best so cook a double batch, stick half away, and save your sanity two days later. It fits right in with my cycle of easy weeknight saviors, kinda like my go-to crockpot hamburger potato casserole (yes, everyone loves that one too). Honestly, you won’t even remember you cooked. Plus, the hands-off time? Ah, that’s priceless.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Crockpot Bourbon Chicken

Don’t overthink it. Here’s what you want:

• Chicken thighs (boneless, skinless, please)
• Bourbon, obviously (or sub, read below!)
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar (light or dark, use what ya got)
• Ketchup (yep, trust me it’s magic)
• Apple cider vinegar
• Garlic (fresh or jarred – don’t let anyone judge you)
• Ground ginger
• Red pepper flakes (a pinch, or more if you like it spicy)
• Cornstarch (for thickening at the end)
• Water

That’s the whole shopping list, except stuff for the rice if you’re serving with that.

Garnishes and Add-Ins: Green Onions, Sesame Seeds, Red Pepper Flakes

Wanna dress it up? This is where I get a tiny bit fancy. Thinly sliced green onions, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and (okay, maybe this is aggressive) an extra dusting of red pepper flakes. Totally transforms the vibe from ‘I dumped this in at lunch’ to ‘Dinner’s on, folks!’ Oh, and if you have leftover pineapple on hand, toss a few pieces on there for a tropical punch. It works, I swear.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken

This is barely a recipe, it’s so simple:

1. Lay your chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. Whisk together bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes. Pour it over the chicken.
3. Cover and cook on low for 5–6 hours. Or high for 3 if you’re racing the clock.
4. About thirty minutes before serving, whisk cornstarch with a splash of water, stir that into the sauce in the pot.
5. Boom, it thickens on its own with no effort.
6. Shred or keep big pieces, whatever your crowd likes.

Recipe Tips and Expert Notes

Here’s my honest advice. Don’t obsess over the bourbon brand, just pick what you drink or grab the mini bottle at checkout. Chicken thighs stay juicy, but if all you have is breasts, check earlier so it does NOT dry out. Thicker sauce? Add extra cornstarch slurry. Sauce too ketchup-y? Squeeze in a touch more vinegar or even a spoon of orange marmalade if you dare, it works.

How to Avoid Overcooked or Dry Chicken

Ugh, nothing ruins dinner faster. Best trick is to set a timer. Don’t cook past 6 hours on low if you can help it. If your slow cooker has a ‘warm’ setting, use that as soon as it’s cooked through. And always, always use thighs instead of breasts if possible – thighs forgive us for daydreaming in the other room.

Variations of Bourbon Chicken You Can Try

Bored of the classic? Add some chopped fresh pineapple right before serving, the sweet-tart zing is fantastic. Or swap in a little hoisin for part of the soy sauce if you want a touch more umami. Feeling adventurous (or feeding a spice hound)? Stir sriracha into the sauce. Even easier, try this with cubed pork instead of chicken for a whole new dinner.

What to Serve with Crockpot Bourbon Chicken

Let’s be honest, it’s saucy so you need something that soaks up that goodness. Here’s how I do it:

• Sticky white rice, can’t go wrong
• Steamed broccoli or snap peas for crunch
• Quick sweet potato bowl if you’re feeling bold
• A side of crispy sweet potato fries when you want comfort food with a twist

Best part, everyone builds their plate exactly how they like it. No arguments, just happy faces.

How to Store and Reheat Bourbon Chicken

Leftovers keep like a champ. Use an airtight container and stash in the fridge for up to three days, or freeze up to two months. Reheat gently in a pan over low heat with a splash of water so the sauce loosens up – don’t nuke it to death or it goes rubbery. Rice and veg warm up fast alongside.

Best Reheating Methods to Keep it Saucy

Microwave? Sure, but do it in short bursts and stir in a little water or extra sauce if you have it left. Stovetop is my pick, though… medium heat, covered, give it a good stir every so often and let the steam do its magic. Never reheat bone-dry…add liquid always!

Make-Ahead and Meal Prep Tips

Want to prep ahead? Dump all ingredients in a bag the night before and store in the fridge, then plop the whole thing in the crock pot in the morning. Or cook fully, separate into lunch containers with sides, and lunch is sorted for a couple of days. This is a lifesaver when juggling school stuff, work, or just feeling totally wiped after a long day.

Nutritional Information

Full disclosure, Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken hits a sweet spot between comfort food and decently healthy. You get a big protein boost, and using thighs means full flavor with less worry about drying out. If you skimp on sugar or use low-sodium soy sauce, it’s even better for ya. And the whole meal feels way lighter on your stomach than ANY takeout order.

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Nutrition Facts

Per serving · Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken (without rice)

Calories310

Protein28 g

Carbohydrates24 g

Total Fat10 g

Saturated Fat2.5 g

Cholesterol135 mg

Sodium820 mg

Fiber0 g

Sugars18 g

Potassium520 mg

Note: Values are estimates; actuals vary by brands and portion size.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Bourbon Chicken

Okay, classic mistakes, let’s clear them up. Don’t just dump the cornstarch in without mixing with water first or you’ll get gloppy bits. Use a slow cooker that’s not too big or your chicken dries out – “half full” is the magic zone. Taste the sauce before thickening, so you can tweak sweet or sour to your vibe. Oh, and never ever add raw veggies at the start, save them for late or they’ll be mush.

Can I make bourbon chicken without bourbon?

You can! Apple juice or even chicken broth swaps right in for bourbon, especially if you want it family-friendly. The heat burns the booze off, but if you just don’t want it, you’re not missing out. The flavor’s still fantastic.

Can I double this recipe for a crowd?

Absolutely. Just don’t pile the chicken higher than two layers or you could get uneven cooking. Bigger crockpot, more sauce, and check for doneness a bit earlier – if you’re like me, you’ll want those leftovers anyway.

My sauce didn’t thicken. What did I do wrong?

Probably just needed more cornstarch or heat. Mix another spoon of starch with water and stir it in right at the end, crank up to high, and give it 10 minutes uncovered.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yup! Just be careful with time. Breasts dry out faster, so check early. Shred or slice just before serving for maximum juiciness.

Is it spicy?

Not unless you dump in loads of red pepper! You can totally skip the flakes for kiddo-friendly dinners. Add a spoon to your own plate later if you like some heat.

More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

Craving more “dump and go” chicken recipes? Try that viral garlic parmesan crockpot chicken potatoes, or spice things up with an easy crockpot taco pasta. If potatoes are your jam, I swear by the crock pot crack potato soup recipe – cozy for any season.

Wrapping Up with a Friendly Nudge

Here’s my challenge: put Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken up against takeout and see who wins at your table. For real, it’s weeknight magic in a pot and no one needs to know you spent about five minutes on it. I know my family’s obsessed, and I bet you’ll get rave reviews too. Want more inspiration? Check out Allrecipes for more easy dinner ideas or keep browsing for new spins on hearty slow cooker meals. Give it a shot and let me know how it goes…fingers crossed you love it as much as we do!