Crock Pot Honey Bourbon Chicken

A little sweet and a little spicy, this easy Honey Bourbon Chicken recipe is BIG on flavor and takes just minutes to throw in the crock pot.

You can also make Honey Bourbon Chicken in the Instant Pot!

Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe

1. It’s a super easy recipe to make.

Simply dump the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it cook on low for a few hours. After it’s done, you can quickly thicken up the sauce using what’s called a cornstarch slurry but that’s optional yet quite easy.

2. Bourbon Chicken is complex in flavor.

Thanks to ingredients like fresh ginger (just keep some in my freezer to have on hand), soy sauce (or substitute coconut aminos), honey, green onions, and, of course, bourbon. (More on the bourbon in a minute.)

3. My kids love it!

It’s a little spicy, but you can always pull back on the spice if your family has a sensitive palate. Here are more kid-friendly recipe ideas if you’re on the hunt for some!

4. It’s been very well-tested.

Both of us, as well as our 500 person recipe-testing team for our cookbook! In fact, we spent nearly two years developing and refining the recipes in From Freezer to Cooker. It was quite a feat because every single recipe works in the slow cooker, the Instant Pot, and includes freezer meal instructions!

5. It’s naturally dairy-free and can be made gluten-free.

With our substitutions, this recipe will work for both dairy-free and gluten-free diets. (According to Beyond Celiac, most bourbon is gluten-free due to the distillation process.)

How to Make Bourbon Chicken

In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, ketchup, bourbon, oil, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, and green onions. 

Place the chicken and sauce in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on Low for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours or until cooked through. (The chicken is done when it is no longer pink inside and/or registers 165°F internally.)

Carefully transfer the chicken to a wooden cutting board, dice or shred the meat, and set aside.

In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water until smooth.

Carefully pour the juices from the slow cooker into a medium saucepan. Add in the cornstarch mixture and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cook, stirring, until the sauce has thickened, about 3 minutes.

Return the chicken and sauce to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine. Serve over rice. Garnish with green onions and serve with stir-fried vegetables, if desired.

What should I know about cooking with bourbon?

I personally don’t drink or enjoy the taste of bourbon. However, when used in cooking, I’ve found that the bourbon lends a smoky caramel-like sweetness that’s hard to replicate with another ingredient.

If you have kids, don’t worry, the alcohol will almost entirely evaporate when the sauce is simmered at the end.

Look for small bottles by the liquor counter, if you don’t have some at home in your cabinet.

What can I substitute for bourbon in a chicken recipe?

Bourbon is often used in recipes to add a sweet, smoky flavor to the dish. If you don’t have bourbon or prefer not to use it, there are a few substitutes you can try:

1. Whiskey: Like bourbon, whiskey has a smoky, oaky flavor that can add depth to your chicken dish.
2. Brandy: Brandy is a type of spirit that’s made from distilled wine. It has a sweet, fruity flavor that can add complexity to your chicken dish. Use a dark, aged brandy for the best results.
3. Chicken Broth: If you don’t want to use an alcohol, a good bet is using low sodium or unsalted chicken broth to replace the liquid and add a little extra flavor.
4. Apple juice or cider: Another non-alcoholic option is trying apple juice or cider in place of bourbon. The sweet, fruity flavor will work well with chicken and give your dish a unique twist.

Remember, when substituting ingredients in a recipe, it’s important to taste as you go and adjust the seasonings as needed.

How long does Bourbon Chicken cook in the crock pot?