Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken with Apple Glaze
Tender slow-cooked chicken breast in a sweet and savory bourbon-soy glaze with warm spice notes. Apple juice and cider vinegar balance the brown sugar and bourbon into a glossy sauce perfect for weeknight dinners. Serve over rice for an easy crowd-pleaser that works for family meals or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
- 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup apple juice
- ¼ cup bourbon
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ginger, ground
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- green onions, sliced(optional)
- cooked rice, for serving(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Coat chicken pieces with cornstarch in a bag or bowl and set aside
- 2
In slow cooker, combine apple juice, bourbon, soy sauce, water, vinegar, and brown sugar, stirring to incorporate sugar
- 3
Add ginger, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic to slow cooker and stir
- 4
Add cornstarch-coated chicken to slow cooker and stir to coat in sauce
- 5
Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours
- 6
Garnish with green onions if desired and serve over rice
Tips
Cornstarch coating before slow cooking helps thicken sauce naturally while keeping chicken moist and tender throughout cooking.
Don't skip stirring after adding chicken; even coating in liquid ensures consistent flavor and prevents sticking.
For deeper bourbon flavor, add bourbon in final 30 minutes of cooking to prevent alcohol from cooking off too early.
Good to Know
Transfer to airtight container and refrigerate up to 4 days. Freezes well up to 3 months.
Combine all sauce ingredients and seasonings in slow cooker the night before. Refrigerate. Add chicken and cornstarch in morning and proceed with cooking.
Ladle over steamed jasmine or basmati rice. Pair with roasted broccoli, snap peas, or a simple green salad to balance sweetness.
Common Mistakes
Skip cornstarch coating to avoid watery sauce that won't cling to chicken
Don't overcrowd slow cooker to avoid uneven cooking and chicken that falls apart
Stir only once after adding chicken to avoid breaking pieces apart during long cook
Substitutions
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use boneless thighs instead of chicken breast?
Yes, thighs work great and stay more moist. They have more flavor and handle slow cooking better. Use same weight and cooking times.
What if I don't have bourbon?
Substitute apple juice or low-sodium chicken broth one-to-one. Adds depth but removes alcohol notes. Or use brandy for similar flavor without bourbon taste.
How long does this keep and can I freeze it?
Refrigerate up to 4 days in airtight container. Freezes well up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating gently over low heat or in oven.