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Monday, February 27, 2012

Pinned There, Done That: Slow Cooker Honey Bourbon Chicken

If you're new to The Traveling Spoon, you can read more about my 'Pinned There, Done That' feature here. I'm working on a button for the series, but that's no reason you should miss out on updates in the meantime!

Sorry to disappoint those of you who are here for boozy chicken - this dish isn't alcoholic (it actually gets its name from the famed Bourbon Street in New Orleans), but it's pretty amazing nonetheless. If you've ever eaten Chinese food in a mall food court (go on, you can admit it - I won't judge) you've probably encountered this dish. It's the one being passed out on toothpicks to entice you to buy - and I have to admit that on more than one occasion, it's worked.


This dish is a perfect blend of sweet and salty with a really savory kick (I love umami!), so when I discovered a recipe circulating around on Pinterest I just had to give it a try. In the past, I've sated my Bourbon Chicken cravings with my own Honey Chicken recipe. That tangy dish makes a great meal, but this recipe goes in the crockpot and, well, sometimes convenience is king.

The Pinspiration:


The Product:



The recipe comes from a great blog called Table for Two, although Julie recently had to rename her version because all her readers were expecting boozy chicken! Her photos looked so delicious that I tried to follow her recipe to the letter. Of course, you know that's not my strong suit, so you'll notice a few minor changes - most notably, the addition of Worcestershire sauce: I think it adds a welcome bit of tang. I also cut the added oil completely because chicken thighs are naturally a little fatty - Matt and I didn't miss it one bit. So with those admissions, lets get to the recipe:

Slow Cooker Honey Bourbon Chicken

5-6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (frozen is fine - see instructions)
Salt and Pepper
1 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce (reduce slightly if chicken is frozen)
1/4 cup ketchup
1-2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (optional)
2 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
1/2 cup onion, finely diced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Cornstarch, for thickening

Place chicken thighs in crock pot and sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, onion, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine thoroughly. Pour over seasoned chicken.

Cook on low for 3-4 hours, or high for 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 hours (if chicken is frozen, cook on high for at least the first hour, and be prepared to add additional cooking time). Take care not to overcook - you want to be able to cut, not shred, the chicken.

When chicken is done, remove meat from crockpot and cut into bite-sized chunks. Combine some cornstarch with a small amount of water and add to the remaining liquid in the crockpot. Whisk until the liquid thickens into a sauce (add more cornstarch, if necessary). Return chicken to the crockpot and serve hot, with rice and steamed veggies.

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This post has been shared at:
The Southern Institute: Creative Me Monday - Flour Me With Love: Mix it up Monday - Mrs. Happy Homemaker: Makin' You Crave Monday - i should be mopping the floor: Mop It Up Mondays - Brassy Apple: Make it Monday - Craft-O-Maniac: Craft-O-Maniac Monday - Add a Pinch: Mingle Monday - Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms: Melt in Your Mouth Monday - Making the World Cuter: Making the World Cuter Monday - Skip to My Lou: Made By You Monday - The Girl Creative: Just Something I Whipped Up Monday - 33 Shades of Green: Tasty Tuesday - JAQS Studio: Made By Me - This Chick Cooks: These Chicks Cooked - A to Zebra Celebrations - Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday - A Bowl Full of Lemons: One Project at a Time - Home Stories A to Z: Tutorials & Tips - Southern Lovely: Show & Share - My Girlish Whims: Your Whims Wednesday - Ginger Snap Crafts: Wow Me Wednesday - severn thirty three: Sugar & Spice - Clean & Scentsible: The Creative Spark - Oopsey Daisy: Wednesday's Wowzers - Sew Much Ado: We Did It Wednesday -  Just a Little Creativity: Get Creative Wednesday - It's a Keeper: It's a Keeper Thursday - Bear Rabbit Bear: Things I've Done Thursday - Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff Thursday - House of Hepworths: Hookin' Up With HoH - The Crafty Blog Stalker: Blog Stalking Thursday - Between U & Me: Crazy Cute Thursday - A Glimpse Inside: Catch a Glimpse Thursday - Crafty, Scrappy, Happy: Crafty, Scrappy, Happy Me - Delightful Order: Delightfully Inspiring Thursday - Domesblissity: Thriving on Thursdays - Gluesticks: Get Your Brag On - Happy Hour Projects: Freestyle Friday - Stuff and Nonsense: Fridays Unfolded - Simply Designing: Simply Link - Whipperberry: Friday Flair - Chic on a Shoestring: Flaunt it Friday - Creation Corner: Friday Link - Design Dazzle: Share Your Awesomeness - Rattlebridge Farm: Foodie Friday - 30 Handmade Days: Pity Party - Simply Sweet Home: Friday Favorites - Six Sisters' Stuff: Strut Your Stuff Saturday - Tatertots & Jello: Weekend Wrap Up

14 comments:

  1. Looks delightful and full of flavor, cool blog posts!

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  2. Thanks! I was looking for something to have for dinner!

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  3. Yummy! I would love for you to Link up at my Linky party via: www.ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com


    PS: I am your newest Linky Follower!

    Mrs. Delightful
    www.ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com

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  4. I love bourbon so I know I'll LOVE this recipe! I saw your share A Glimpse Inside Link Party/Catch a Glimpse Thursday. Just pinned :) I'm a new follower...looking forward to your next post! Cheers ~ Mary (SweetLittleBluebird.com)

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  5. Yummy!!!! So glad that you shared it at Things I've Done Thursday!!

    Melanie
    www.bearrabbitbear.com
    P.S. I launched a great CD giveaway today if you're interested!! http://www.bearrabbitbear.com/2012/03/ummcan-i-get-zumba-dvd-to-this-review.html :)

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  6. Hi Rachel! I admit it. I've succumbed to the toothpicks being waved in my face in the foodcourt. I also admit that I kinda love the stuff. :~)

    Stopping by from Thriving on Thursdays and newly following through GFC, Linky Followers and Pinterest. Thanks for sharing this. It'll be nice not to have to wear a disguise to the mall anymore!

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  7. Ummm...YUMMY!! We are going to have to give this a try!

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  8. this looks and sounds delish! I wonder if it will do okay if you use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

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    1. Chicken breasts would be fine, but they're a little larger than thighs so the cooking time may change slightly. I personally prefer chicken breasts (less fatty), but this is one of the few dishes where I don't might using thighs.

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  9. Sounds easy and delicious. I am not a fan of chicken thighs though so I wonder if I could use breasts or do you think they would be too dry? May try it this weekend. Thanks, Peggy

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    Replies
    1. You could absolutely use chicken breasts instead. You'll just have to increase the cooking time slightly (or cut the chicken breasts into pieces before cooking). Hope you enjoy it!

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  10. so easy and yummy thanks! why reduce the soy sauce if the chicken is frozen?!
    i am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.

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  11. I am always game for a slow cooker meal! This looks yummy. Must try! Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy!

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  12. My friend just cooked this and it turned out awesome. I am going to make it myself now that I have the recipe.

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