The combination of tender chicken breasts coated in a sweet and savory bourbon glaze makes this dish irresistible. The rich, caramelized sauce gives each bite a perfect balance of flavor, creating a comforting and satisfying meal.
This Bourbon Chicken is incredibly easy to prepare, making it a great option for busy weeknights or family dinners. The slow cooker ensures that the chicken stays juicy and tender, while the glaze thickens into a deliciously sticky coating. Pair it with steamed rice or vegetables to complete the meal.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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1/2 cup bourbon
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1/4 cup soy sauce
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1/4 cup brown sugar
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1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
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1 tablespoon garlic, minced
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1 tablespoon ginger, grated
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1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
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2 tablespoons cornstarch
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1 tablespoon water
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Salt and pepper to taste
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2 tablespoons green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Directions:
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Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
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Pour the mixture over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
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Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until chicken is cooked through and tender.
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Remove chicken from the slow cooker and set aside.
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In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Add this to the slow cooker sauce, stirring until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
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Return the chicken to the sauce and toss to coat in the thickened glaze.
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Serve the bourbon chicken over rice or vegetables, and garnish with chopped green onions.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 4 hours | Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes | Kcal: 280 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Bourbon Chicken: A Deliciously Simple Slow-Cooked Meal
Bourbon chicken is a comforting, flavorful dish that’s become a staple in many households. Known for its sweet and savory bourbon glaze, this recipe is a true crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight dinner or hosting a casual get-together, bourbon chicken offers a convenient and tasty solution. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity just a few ingredients, a slow cooker, and minimal prep time are needed to create a mouthwatering meal that everyone will love.
What Makes Bourbon Chicken So Special?
Bourbon chicken combines tender chicken breasts with a rich, slightly sweet, and tangy sauce made from bourbon, soy sauce, and brown sugar. The combination of these ingredients creates a glaze that’s sticky and flavorful, perfectly coating the chicken and infusing it with incredible taste. The slow cooker allows the flavors to meld together over time, making the chicken tender and juicy.
The dish is named after the bourbon whiskey that gives the sauce its distinct flavor. Although the alcohol evaporates during cooking, the bourbon imparts a depth of flavor that adds a unique twist to this simple chicken recipe. While the name may suggest a sophisticated dish, bourbon chicken is accessible and easy to prepare, making it a perfect meal for any occasion.
Why Choose a Slow Cooker for Bourbon Chicken?
Using a slow cooker to prepare bourbon chicken is a game-changer. Slow cooking allows the chicken to cook low and slow, which helps to retain moisture and tenderness. The slow cooker also lets the bourbon and other ingredients blend together slowly, allowing the flavors to penetrate the chicken more deeply. This method of cooking results in a much juicier, more flavorful dish than if you were to use faster cooking methods like grilling or pan-searing.
Another benefit of using a slow cooker is the convenience it offers. Once you’ve placed the ingredients in the slow cooker, you can simply set it and forget it. This makes bourbon chicken an excellent choice for busy days when you don’t have time to stand over the stove. It also frees up your time to focus on other tasks or prepare side dishes without worrying about constantly monitoring the main dish.
Flavor Profile of Bourbon Chicken
Bourbon chicken has a remarkable balance of sweet and savory flavors. The bourbon whiskey lends a slight smokiness to the sauce, while the brown sugar adds a pleasant sweetness. The soy sauce brings in a savory, umami component, and the apple cider vinegar introduces a tangy note that brightens the overall flavor.
Garlic and ginger add layers of depth to the sauce, with garlic contributing a savory richness and ginger offering a subtle spiciness. For those who enjoy a bit of heat, the red pepper flakes can be added to give the dish an extra kick. The glaze becomes beautifully thick and sticky as it cooks, coating the chicken in a luscious sauce that’s perfect for drizzling over rice or vegetables.
Perfect Pairings for Bourbon Chicken
While bourbon chicken is flavorful enough on its own, pairing it with complementary side dishes can elevate the meal even further. A simple, classic pairing for bourbon chicken is steamed white rice. The rice soaks up the delicious bourbon glaze, making each bite even more enjoyable. If you’re looking for a healthier option, brown rice or quinoa are great alternatives that will still absorb the sauce beautifully while adding more fiber and nutrients.
Roasted or sautéed vegetables make an excellent side to bourbon chicken as well. Green beans, broccoli, and asparagus are all great options that add a touch of freshness and balance to the richness of the chicken. You could even serve bourbon chicken with a light salad to cut through the sauce’s sweetness, offering a contrast in both texture and flavor.
For a more decadent option, mashed potatoes would be a comforting addition. The creamy potatoes would pair beautifully with the bourbon sauce, providing a satisfying contrast to the tender chicken. Another option to consider is a side of cornbread, which complements the sweetness of the dish and adds a Southern twist.
Variations on Bourbon Chicken
While the classic bourbon chicken recipe is delicious, there are a few ways you can customize it to suit your tastes or dietary preferences. For example, you could use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a slightly richer flavor and more tender texture. Chicken thighs tend to be juicier and more flavorful, which works well with the sweet bourbon glaze.
If you prefer a lower carb version of bourbon chicken, try serving it with cauliflower rice instead of regular rice. Cauliflower rice is a great low carb alternative that still soaks up the flavorful sauce.
For those who enjoy extra heat, you can add more red pepper flakes or even a chopped jalapeño to the sauce. This will give the dish a spicy kick that complements the sweetness of the bourbon glaze. Alternatively, you could try adding other herbs and spices, such as thyme or rosemary, to experiment with different flavor profiles.
If you’re cooking for a crowd or want to make bourbon chicken for a special occasion, you can easily double or triple the recipe. The slow cooker is versatile enough to handle larger quantities, and the dish scales up beautifully without losing its flavor or texture.
Healthier Modifications
While bourbon chicken is already a relatively healthy dish, there are a few adjustments you can make if you’re looking to lighten it up even more. Consider using a lower-sodium soy sauce to reduce the sodium content, or try using a sugar substitute like honey or maple syrup in place of brown sugar to cut back on the sweetness and calories. If you’re following a gluten-free diet, be sure to use a gluten-free soy sauce substitute, such as tamari.
You could also opt for skinless chicken thighs or breasts to reduce the fat content. If you’re avoiding alcohol, you can replace the bourbon with a splash of apple juice or white grape juice for a similar sweetness without the alcohol.
Why Bourbon Chicken is Perfect for Meal Prep
Bourbon chicken is an excellent dish for meal prep. Since the recipe can be made in advance and stores well in the refrigerator, it’s perfect for preparing ahead of time and enjoying throughout the week. Simply make a batch of bourbon chicken and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it, just reheat it on the stove or in the microwave for a quick and satisfying meal.
This makes bourbon chicken an ideal option for those with busy schedules who need a meal they can prepare in advance and easily grab when they’re on the go. The sauce keeps the chicken moist, ensuring it remains delicious even after being stored for a few days.
Conclusion
Bourbon chicken is a flavorful and versatile dish that combines the best of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors. The slow-cooked chicken, tender and juicy, is coated in a rich bourbon glaze that is perfect for pairing with rice, vegetables, or even mashed potatoes. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or a crowd, bourbon chicken is a simple yet satisfying meal that’s sure to impress. With a few customizable variations, it’s a recipe that can be adjusted to suit any taste or dietary preference. Best of all, it’s a meal you can set and forget in the slow cooker, making it the perfect addition to your busy weeknight dinners or meal prep routine.