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–+ servings

Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken

Delicious Easy Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken served with rice
This Easy Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken features tender thighs braised slowly in a sweet-savory bourbon glaze, perfect for busy weeknights or meal-prep batches over rice.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 10 minutes
Serving Size 4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken and Marinade

  • 2 pounds chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless; skin-on adds flavor and richness)
  • 1 cup bourbon cooking alcohol cooks off during the long simmer
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce use low-sodium if preferred
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar light or dark both work; dark gives deeper molasses notes
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For Serving

  • cooked rice for serving

Instructions

Preparation

  • Place the chicken thighs in a single layer at the bottom of your crock pot. If they’re crowded, arrange them snugly.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup bourbon, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and the minced garlic until the sugar dissolves.
  • Pour the bourbon mixture evenly over the chicken, tilting the pot to help coat the pieces.
  • Season lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Cooking

  • Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours, or until the chicken is very tender and the internal temperature reads 165°F.
  • If you prefer a thicker glaze, remove the chicken and simmer the sauce on the stove with a 1:1 cornstarch-water slurry until glossy, then return chicken to coat.

Notes

For a non-alcohol version, replace bourbon with chicken stock plus a splash of apple juice and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar. Serve over cauliflower rice for a lighter option.