Description
Tender shredded chicken slow-cooked in a sweet, savory, and sticky bourbon sauce. A comforting takeout-inspired favorite made easy in the crock pot, perfect for weeknights and meal prep.
Ingredients
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
½ cup bourbon whiskey
½ cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup honey
¼ cup ketchup
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (for slurry)
3 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Sesame seeds (optional garnish)
Instructions
1. Place chicken in crock pot.
2. In a bowl, whisk together bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, ketchup, garlic, ginger, and vinegar. Pour over chicken.
3. Cover and cook on low 6–7 hours or high 3–4 hours until chicken is tender.
4. Shred chicken with two forks.
5. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook another 15 minutes until sauce thickens into a glossy glaze.
6. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve over rice or noodles.
Notes
For an alcohol-free version, substitute bourbon with apple juice, chicken broth, or cola.
Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts during long cooking times.
Add vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas during the last hour of cooking.
This recipe freezes well—double the batch for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 3 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner
Keywords: crock pot bourbon chicken, slow cooker bourbon chicken, sticky bourbon chicken, easy bourbon chicken recipe, takeout chicken at home