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Now here’s a good one, dear. This Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken is a real treat for supper, easy to put together and mighty good eatin’. It cooks up tender in the slow cooker while you’re off tending to other things. The sauce is sweet with just a little kick, and it smells so nice while it’s cookin’. Back in the day, they say it was made by a Chinese cook down on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. No matter where it came from, we sure are glad to have it.
You just pour the sauce over the chicken, turn the dial, and forget about it till supper time. We like ours over a pile of rice with a spoonful of sauce on top. Sometimes I spoon it into soft buns too and make little sandwiches. The grandkids love it.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions (use more if you like)
For the Sauce:
- 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup apple juice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup bourbon (or more apple juice if you’d rather)
- 1/4 cup regular soy sauce
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
You’ll Need:
How to Make It
- Mix Up the Sauce In a bowl, stir together all the sauce things—ginger, garlic, pepper flakes, apple juice, honey, brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, water, bourbon, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the Chicken Put your chicken thighs in the crock pot. Pour the sauce right on top. Put the lid on. Cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or high for about 3.
- Cut Up the Chicken Take the chicken out and chop it into little pieces. Keep it warm with a lid or foil.
- Thicken the Sauce Mix 3 tablespoons water with the cornstarch. Pour it into the hot sauce left in the crock pot. Turn it to high and let it bubble till it thickens a bit, about 10 minutes.
- Put It All Together Add the chicken back in and toss it around in the sauce. Stir in the green onions. Serve warm.
Helpful Tips from Grandma’s Kitchen
- Use regular soy sauce, not the light kind, it just tastes better.
- Chicken thighs stay juicy. Breasts can get dry.
- Want to skip the bourbon? Apple juice works just fine.
- Good with rice, rolls, or even mashed potatoes if that’s what you’ve got.
- Don’t skip the green onions, they add a nice little crunch.
Leftovers and Questions
- How long will it keep? Four days in the icebox if you’ve got a good lid on it.
- Can I freeze it? Yes, it freezes well. Just thaw and warm it up.
- No bourbon in the house? Use more apple juice. It’ll still taste fine.
- Don’t have a crock pot? You can bake it in the oven at 325°F for about 1.5 hours. Cover it good.
Nutrition (More or Less)
About 388 calories a serving. Some sugar, some fat, but lots of good protein. Just a guess, dear. If you need to know exactly, better ask your doctor or look it up with what you use.
That’s all there is to it, honey. It’s the kind of meal that brings folks to the table. Simple, warm, and full of flavor. Let me know how it turns out.
