Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken Easy Slow Cooker Recipe Wellplated Com

What do New Orleans, Chinese takeout, and bourbon all have in common? The answer is bourbon chicken. I’ve visited the Big Easy (New Orleans) three times. One dish I couldn’t get enough of (aside from beignets and Blackened Salmon) was the city’s famous bourbon chicken. Juicy chicken cooked in a sweet, sticky sauce, bourbon chicken gets its name after Bourbon Street in New Orleans, as well as its not-so-secret boozy ingredient (you’ll also find it in these Bourbon Balls). While the original recipe may be one of legend, the crock pot bourbon chicken recipe I’m sharing today will make your next family dinner legendary.

How to Make Crockpot Bourbon Chicken

New Orleans bourbon chicken is traditionally made in a wok or skillet (like any one of these fantastic stir fry recipes). This crock pot bourbon chicken deviates from tradition by cutting the prep down to less than 10 minutes and turning it into an easy, effortless slow cooker recipe. You’ll also notice the absence of ketchup. While adding 1 cup ketchup is traditional in some recipes, I prefer to skip it and use the from-scratch approach below.

The Ingredients

Chicken. Tender, succulent boneless skinless chicken thighs are without a doubt my favorite cut of chicken for this simple slow cooker recipe (and this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken). This recipe calls for 1.5 lbs.

Bourbon. No need to buy the pricey stuff. Just make sure you choose a bourbon you would also like to drink. A bourbon with notes of honey, caramel, cinnamon, black pepper, or dried fruit would pair especially well with this dish (as well as this Bourbon Glazed Salmon).

Soy Sauce. Flavors the marinade with a wonderful umami flavor.

Apple Cider Vinegar. Lends some much-needed acidity to balance out the sweetness of the sauce and also helps to tenderize the chicken.Ginger + Garlic Cloves. Provides a little zippy kick and Asian flair.Brown Sugar. For sweetness, depth of color, and subtle molasses flavor.Maple Syrup. Compliments and enhances the bourbon flavor (as it does in these Maple Bourbon Bars) while adding additional sticky sweetness to the sauce.

Cornstarch. Thickens the sauce so it clings to every crevice of the juicy, tender chicken thighs.Green Onions. Finish this saucy chicken recipe with a bit of color and freshness.Rice. A generous scoop of fluffy brown rice is my favorite way to serve crock pot bourbon chicken. However, jasmine rice, quinoa, or even farro would all be excellent options for serving.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Leftover crock pot bourbon chicken may be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.To Freeze. Store cooked slow cooker bourbon chicken in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before warming.To Reheat. Warm in the microwave until steaming.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Slow Cooker. This old girl has been my trusted kitchen partner for several years now.Whisk. A small size for incorporating the cornstarch slurry into the bubbling sauce.Shallow Baking Dish. Perfect for marinating meat and baking up casseroles.

Bourbon chicken, I don’t know where you came from, I’m just glad I found you! If you decide to substitute chicken breasts, watch the cooking time carefully, as you may need less time to avoid overcooking the chicken.