If you’re craving a flavorful, tender, and easy-to-make dish, this Crockpot Bourbon Chicken recipe is the perfect solution.
With just a few ingredients and minimal prep, you can enjoy a delicious, savory meal that’s ideal for busy weeknights.
The bourbon sauce is rich, tangy, and just a little sweet, making this dish irresistible.
Serve it over rice, noodles, or with a side of veggies for a complete meal your family will love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Effortless and Easy: This recipe is simple to throw together, and the slow cooker does all the work! It’s the perfect solution for busy days when you want a hearty, homemade meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
Perfect Balance of Flavors: The bourbon sauce offers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors with a touch of heat, making each bite irresistible.
Tender Chicken: The slow cooking method ensures the chicken is incredibly tender and flavorful, absorbing all the delicious flavors of the sauce.
Versatile: You can serve it over rice, noodles, or with your favorite veggies. Plus, the recipe can be easily doubled to feed a larger crowd or for leftovers.

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Ingredients You’ll Love
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1/2 cup bourbon (you can substitute with apple juice if preferred)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a spicy kick)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
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How to Make Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces) in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the bourbon, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). Pour this mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Alternatively, you can cook on high for 2 to 3 hours.
- Thicken the Sauce: Once the chicken is fully cooked, make a slurry to thicken the sauce. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water until smooth. Add this mixture to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
- Simmer: Cover and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes on high until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Serve: Serve the bourbon chicken over steamed rice, noodles, or your favorite side dish. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

Crockpot Bourbon Chicken
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1/2 cup bourbon (you can substitute with apple juice if preferred)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a spicy kick)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Place the chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces) in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the bourbon, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). Pour this mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Alternatively, you can cook on high for 2 to 3 hours.
- Once the chicken is fully cooked, make a slurry to thicken the sauce. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water until smooth. Add this mixture to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
- Cover and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes on high until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Serve the bourbon chicken over steamed rice, noodles, or your favorite side dish. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours