Crockpot Bourbon Chicken - The Recipe Critic (2024)

Jump to Recipe

This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.

Tender and juicy chicken thighs simmered in a brown sugar bourbon sauce all day long. Your family will love this melt-in-your-mouth crockpot bourbon chicken. A classic New Orleans recipe made easy in the crockpot!

I sure do LOVE New Orleans-inspired food! Try my jambalaya recipe, which is also made in the crockpot. This gumbo recipe is another fave and a classic New Orleans dish. I highly recommend a visit there just for the food, it’s SO yummy!

Crockpot Bourbon Chicken - The Recipe Critic (1)

Crockpot Bourbon Chicken

Bourbon chicken is a dish named after the famous Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana. This recipe also uses bourbon to add a rich deep flavor to the sauce. Paired with sweet brown sugar, the sauce is sweet and sticky and SO delicious! Cooked low and slow, this crockpot bourbon chicken is an incredible dinner ready when you get home.

Crockpot dinners are the MVP at my house! They are easy to put together and are always our favorite dinners. Try this crack chicken, my famous pot roast, or this tasty beef and broccoli. They’re all made in the crockpot and I just know you will love them!

Ingredients Needed

Each ingredient in this crockpot bourbon chicken gives this recipe its mouthwatering flavor! And it’s less than 10 ingredients, which most likely you already have on hand! All measurements can be found below in the recipe card.

  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs are the secret weapon! It results in the most tender and flavorful chicken.
  • Kosher Salt and Pepper: Season the chicken to taste with salt and pepper to add flavor.
  • Bourbon: You can also usewhiskey, apple juice, or chicken broth.
  • Brown Sugar: This creates the sweetness in the sauce and gives the crockpot bourbon chicken the best flavor.
  • Soy Sauce: Adds depth and richness to the sauce, giving the chicken that savory and slightly salty goodness that will wow your taste buds.
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic adds great flavor!
  • Cornstarch: Cornstarch is the thickening agent that helps create a luscious, glossy sauce.
  • Cold Water: Make sure to use cold water to help dissolve the cornstarch.

Easy Crockpot Bourbon Chicken

Let’s make the best crockpot Bourbon chicken! It’s so incredibly easy, and the results are so tasty! You’re family will be begging you to make this weekly! The instructions are below and also in the recipe card.

  1. Season the Chicken and Place in Crockpot: Season the chicken thighs with salt & pepper on both sides and place them in the bottom of the crockpot.
  2. Make the Sauce and Pour Over Chicken: In a medium bowl add the bourbon, brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic. Stir well to combine. Pour over the chicken in the crockpot.
  3. Cover and Cook: Cover with the lid and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 3 hours.
  4. Add the Cornstarch Mixture: Add the cornstarch and water in a small bowl and whisk until combined. Whisk the cornstarch slurry into the sauce 30 minutes before the chicken is done cooking. This will thicken the sauce.
  5. Serve Over Rice: Enjoy the chicken over rice and garnish with green onions.
Crockpot Bourbon Chicken - The Recipe Critic (2)

Crockpot Bourbon Chicken Tips

Ready to create mouthwatering bourbon chicken with the convenience of a crockpot? These easy tips and tricks will have you cooking up tender, flavor-packed chicken in no time.

  • Chicken Thighs: Use chicken thighs for the best results. You are welcome to use chicken breast and it will cut down on the fat content too. Chicken thighs are just so juicy and tender. They also hold the flavor better!
  • Bourbon Alternatives: If you don’t have bourbon, whiskey, brandy or even scotch will work in place of it.
  • Leave Bourbon Out: The alcohol from the bourbon does evaporate completely while cooking. It is safe for children to eat. Just replace the bourbon with chicken broth or apple cider.
  • Make it Spicy: If you love a little heat, add some red pepper flakes, or sriracha sauce to the glaze when whisking.
Crockpot Bourbon Chicken - The Recipe Critic (3)

Storing Leftovers

Crockpot bourbon chicken makes the best leftovers for lunch the next day! Follow my tips below for storing and reheating this yummy chicken. Everyone will fight over the leftovers so be prepared!

  • In the Refrigerator: Allow your crockpot bourbon chicken to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. As long as you keep it in the fridge, it should stay good for about 4 days.
  • To Reheat:Pop your chicken in the microwave or warm over the stove. Make sure to warm it up with the sauce to keep it from drying out. And you’ll definitely want all the sauce you can get because it’s SO good.
Crockpot Bourbon Chicken - The Recipe Critic (4)

More Chicken Dinner Ideas

Chicken is SO versatile and makes the best dinners! Most of our favorite dinner recipes start with chicken and I’ve lined up a few recipes for you to make this week. I can’t wait for you to try these!

Dinner

Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken

25 mins

Dinner

Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken

1 hr 20 mins

Dinner

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken

4 hrs 15 mins

Pin this now to find it later

Pin It

Crockpot Bourbon Chicken - The Recipe Critic (9)

Save

PinPrint

Crockpot Bourbon Chicken

4.62 from 21 votes

By: Alyssa Rivers

Tender and juicy chicken thighs simmered in a brown sugar bourbon sauce all day long. Your family will love this melt-in-your-mouth crockpot bourbon chicken. A classic New Orleans recipe made easy in the crockpot!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 4 hours hours 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 people

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Season the chicken thighs with salt & pepper on both sides and place them in the bottom of the crockpot.

  • In a medium bowl add the bourbon, brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic. Stir well to combine. Pour over the chicken in the crockpot.

  • Cover with the lid and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 3 hours.

  • Add the cornstarch and water in a small bowl and whisk until combined. Whisk the cornstarch slurry into the sauce 30 minutes before the chicken is done cooking. This will thicken the sauce.

  • Enjoy the chicken over rice and garnish with green onions.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 327kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 29gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 144mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 412mgFiber: 0.05gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 36IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American, Southern

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Alyssa Rivers and the food blogger behind The Recipe Critic. The blog launched in 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family. Each recipe is tried and true, family-tested and approved.

Read More About Me

More Ideas

Dinner

One-Pot French Onion Pasta

50 mins

Dinner

Beef Pot Pie

1 hr 20 mins

Dinner

King Ranch Casserole

1 hr

Crockpot Bourbon Chicken - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to cook crockpot chicken on high or low? ›

We found that the only way to cook chicken (and turkey) in a slow cooker is on the low setting and for a relatively short amount of time.

Does chicken get more tender the longer it cooks in a slow cooker? ›

Is it better to cook chicken slowly? Chicken is a very versatile and lean meat with little fat or sinew, so it doesn't need long cooking for it to become tender. Both quick high heat methods such as frying, and low, slow cooking are suitable.

How long does chicken stay in the crockpot on high? ›

Cover your crock pot and cook chicken breasts on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Chicken is done when the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F. Use chicken in your favorite recipes. Perfect for shredding!

Why is my chicken chewy after crockpot? ›

Aside from accidentally overcooking the meals, the most common reason we see for tough, rubbery, or overdone chicken is customers using a Crockpot that is far too big. Each of our meals comes with a recommended slow cooker size.

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low? ›

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

How long does it take for chicken to cook in the crockpot? ›

Cook on low for 6-8 hours until chicken is tender and cooked through. Remove lid and let chicken cool for 10 minutes or so before shredding (so we don't burn ourselves!) Use two forks to shred the chicken right in the crockpot. The chicken will absorb any liquid in the pot as you shred it.

How do I keep chicken from drying out in the crockpot? ›

10 tips to keep your chicken moist when using a slow cooker
  1. Use bone-in chicken pieces for added moisture. ...
  2. Season your chicken with flavorful spices and herbs. ...
  3. Layer vegetables or fruits at the bottom of the slow cooker for extra moisture. ...
  4. Avoid overcrowding the slow cooker to ensure even cooking and moisture retention.
Nov 7, 2023

Can you overcook chicken in a slow cooker? ›

You can overcook chicken in a slow cooker. If the chicken is cooked too long, it will become dry and tough. Check your chicken for doneness early, especially if it is one of your first times making it.

How do you keep chicken from falling apart in a slow cooker? ›

Not if you're using a leaner cut in the slow cooker, like chicken breast or pork chops. To help keep these cuts moist, decrease the cook time to 2-4 hours. While it cooks, check out our collection of crockpot chicken breast recipes.

Is 10 hours too long for chicken in slow cooker? ›

Slow cookers are a great way to cook chicken if you're short on time. You can set them up in the morning and let them cook all day, or even overnight. However, there is a limit to how long you can cook chicken in a slow cooker. After 10 hours, the chicken will start to dry out and become tough.

Can I leave chicken in crockpot for 8 hours? ›

You're going to compromise the texture of chicken a bit when you cook it for 8 hours in the slowcooker. It's going to be super tender, but not “sliceable”, so use this to your advantage and shred the meat using two forks and toss it with the cooking liquid.

Can you leave chicken in a slow cooker all night? ›

As long as the temperature remains above 140 F you can leave your chicken in the cooker all day but try to avoid more than 12 hours…

Why is my crockpot chicken mushy? ›

Most of the time mushy Crock Pot chicken is a result of cooking it too long. As you cook meat, the collagen breaks down into a gelatin. The longer chicken is cooked, the more this process happens. Do it right and you have perfectly tender meat; too long and your chicken becomes mushy.

Is woody chicken breast safe to eat? ›

The specific cause is not known but may be related to factors associated with rapid growth rates. Companies often use a three-point scale to grade the woodiness of a particular breast. Although distasteful to many, meat that exhibits woody breast is not known to be harmful to humans who consume it.

Should slow cooker be on low or high times? ›

If a dish usually takes: 15-30 mins, cook it for 1-2 hours on High or 4-6 hours on Low. 30 mins – 1 hour, cook it for 2-3 hours on High or 5-7 hours on Low. 1-2 hours, cook it for 3-4 hours on High or 6-8 hours on Low.

Do I cook chicken on low medium or high? ›

How to Cook Chicken Breasts in a Pan. Cook a boneless, skinless chicken breast over medium-high heat in a pan that's wide and deep to accommodate the chicken and keep splatter to a minimum. Flip the chicken after 5 minutes (don't poke, prod, wiggle, or try to flip).

Should chicken be cooked at high or low temperature? ›

The minimum oven temperature to use when cooking chicken is 325 °F (162.8° C). Using a food thermometer is the only sure way of knowing if your food has reached a high enough temperature to destroy foodborne bacteria.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Delena Feil

Last Updated:

Views: 5699

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Delena Feil

Birthday: 1998-08-29

Address: 747 Lubowitz Run, Sidmouth, HI 90646-5543

Phone: +99513241752844

Job: Design Supervisor

Hobby: Digital arts, Lacemaking, Air sports, Running, Scouting, Shooting, Puzzles

Introduction: My name is Delena Feil, I am a clean, splendid, calm, fancy, jolly, bright, faithful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.