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- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs - 1/2 cup maple syrup - 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferably) These main ingredients give your dish a sweet, savory flavor. Chicken thighs stay juicy and tender while cooking. The maple syrup adds a nice sweetness, and the soy sauce brings depth and umami. - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes - 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish) Red pepper flakes add a bit of heat. If you like spice, feel free to add them! Green onions make a lovely garnish, adding color and crunch. - Alternatives for soy sauce: You can use tamari for a gluten-free option or coconut aminos for a soy-free version. - Using different types of vinegar: Instead of apple cider vinegar, you can try rice vinegar or white vinegar for a different tang. These swaps let you adjust the dish to your taste or dietary needs. {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Trimming chicken thighs: Start by trimming any excess fat from the chicken thighs. This helps keep the dish leaner and lets the sauce soak in better. Place the cleaned chicken at the bottom of the crockpot. 2. Preparing the sauce mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, soy sauce, minced ginger, minced garlic, sesame oil, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you want some heat. Mix it well, so each ingredient blends together. This sauce is the heart of your dish. 1. Layering ingredients in the crockpot: Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken. Next, add the sliced onion on top. The onion will add great flavor and moisture as it cooks. 2. Cooking times on low vs. high: Cover the crockpot with the lid. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. Cooking on low gives the flavors more time to meld. Check for doneness; the chicken should be tender and fully cooked. 1. Shredding chicken in the crockpot: When the chicken is done, use two forks to shred it right in the crockpot. Stir the chicken into the sauce to coat it well. This will make every bite flavorful. 2. Serving suggestions: Serve the maple ginger chicken over rice or noodles. Garnish with chopped green onions for a fresh touch. This dish looks great and tastes even better! Marinating your chicken is key to great taste. It helps the meat soak up all the flavors from the sauce. You can marinate for a few hours or overnight for the best results. I like to use a mix of soy sauce and maple syrup to add depth. Adding aromatics like garlic and ginger boosts the dish’s flavor. Fresh garlic and ginger give it a nice kick. You can also toss in some sliced onions right in the crockpot. They melt into the sauce, making it rich and tasty. A thicker sauce makes the dish feel more gourmet. You can easily thicken it with cornstarch. Mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of water. Stir this mix into the sauce about 15 minutes before serving. Another trick is to remove the lid and let it cook a bit longer. This helps some liquid evaporate. You’ll get a nice, thick sauce that clings to the chicken. Different slow cookers can cook at different rates. If yours runs hot, check the chicken a bit earlier. On low, it usually takes 4-6 hours. If you cook on high, it takes about 2-3 hours. You’ll know the chicken is done when it’s tender and shreds easily with a fork. If you see that, it’s ready to enjoy! Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh ginger and garlic will enhance the flavor of your dish significantly compared to dried versions. Always opt for fresh when possible. Adjust the Sweetness: Depending on your preference, you can adjust the amount of maple syrup for the desired sweetness. Start with less and add more if needed. Marinate for Extra Flavor: If you have time, marinate the chicken in the sauce for a few hours or overnight in the fridge. This will deepen the flavors. Serve with Sides: Pair this dish with steamed vegetables or a fresh salad to balance the sweetness of the chicken. {{image_2}} You can boost the nutrition of your bourbon chicken by adding vegetables. Some great options include: - Bell peppers - Carrots - Broccoli - Snap peas These veggies add color and flavor. To keep them crisp, add them halfway through the cooking time. For a low setting, cook for an extra 2 hours. If you use high heat, add them in the last hour. While chicken thighs are perfect, you can mix it up. You can use chicken breasts if you prefer a leaner cut. Just remember, chicken breasts may dry out faster. For a plant-based twist, try tofu. Press it first to remove extra water. You can also use pork, which gives a different richness. Adjust cooking time based on the protein you select. Sweetness is key in bourbon chicken. You can tweak it by adjusting the maple syrup. If you like it sweeter, add more syrup. For a less sweet taste, reduce the syrup by a quarter cup. Want some heat? Add red pepper flakes to spice it up. Start with a little, then taste. You can always add more if you like it hot! To keep your bourbon chicken fresh, store it in an airtight container. This helps avoid spoilage. Place the chicken in the fridge as soon as it cools. It lasts about 3 to 4 days in the fridge. After that, the flavor and texture may change. You can freeze bourbon chicken with its sauce if you want to save it for later. Let it cool completely first. Then, transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or container. It will keep well for about 2 to 3 months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. To reheat, place it in a pot over low heat. Stir often until it’s hot. You can also use the microwave, but add a splash of water to keep it moist. Bourbon chicken makes a great meal prep option. You can pack it with rice or noodles for easy lunches. Just divide it into portions and store in containers. When you are ready to eat, reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop. If using the microwave, cover it to keep moisture in. This way, your meal will taste fresh and delicious! Yes, you can use chicken breasts. Chicken breasts cook faster than thighs. They take about 3-4 hours on low or 1.5-2 hours on high. Breasts have less fat, so they may be drier. Thighs stay moist and tender, which is why they are often preferred. The taste will also differ since thighs have a richer flavor. To make bourbon chicken without alcohol, use different ingredients. You can use apple juice or a mix of broth and vanilla extract. These options give a sweet and savory flavor similar to bourbon. You can also add a touch of liquid smoke for depth. This way, you still enjoy the taste without the alcohol content. Bourbon chicken goes well with several sides. You can serve it over rice or noodles. Jasmine rice or basmati rice works nicely. For noodles, try egg noodles or rice noodles. Steamed vegetables also make a great side. They add color and nutrition to your meal. This blog post guided you through making bourbon chicken with simple ingredients. We covered the main components like chicken thighs, maple syrup, and soy sauce. You learned how to prep and cook the dish, plus tips for flavor and storage. Experiment with variations, add veggies, or switch proteins to suit your taste. Now you can enjoy a tasty meal your whole family will love. Get cooking and make this dish your own!

Crockpot Maple Ginger Chicken

A delicious and easy slow-cooked chicken dish with a sweet and savory maple ginger sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 0.5 cup maple syrup
  • 0.25 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferably)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 2 green onions chopped (for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • Start by trimming any excess fat from the chicken thighs and placing them at the bottom of the crockpot.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, soy sauce, minced ginger, minced garlic, sesame oil, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
  • Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the crockpot.
  • Add the sliced onion on top of the chicken. This will add flavor and moisture while cooking.
  • Cover the crockpot with the lid and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
  • Once done, shred the chicken using two forks directly in the crockpot and stir well to combine with the sauce.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove the lid and cook on high for an additional 15-20 minutes.
  • Serve the maple ginger chicken over rice or noodles, and garnish with chopped green onions for added flavor and color.

Notes

Serve over rice or noodles and garnish with green onions.
Keyword chicken, crockpot, ginger, maple, slow-cooked