Keto slow cooker bourbon chicken turns tender chicken and a glossy sweet-savory sauce into the easiest hands-off dinner you'll make all week. The bourbon, soy, ginger, and sugar-free ketchup do their slow work while you get on with your day. Serve it over cauliflower rice with a shower of green onions and dinner is done.
Craving that sticky, sweet, and savory takeout-style chicken without the sugar crash? Look no further! This Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken delivers all the bold, Southern-inspired flavor you love in a ridiculously easy, dump-and-go recipe. We’re talking tender, shredded chicken swimming in a rich, spirited sauce that perfectly balances savory notes with a touch of sweetness. The bourbon adds a fantastic depth and warmth that makes this dish feel truly special. Best of all, it’s completely keto-friendly and lets your slow cooker do all the hard work. It’s the perfect cozy meal for a busy weeknight or a fantastic option for your weekly meal prep!
Ingredients
• 1 pound / 450 g (15.9 oz) chicken tenderloins
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup / 60 ml (2 fl oz) gluten-free soy sauce or tamari
• ¼ cup / 60 ml bourbon
• ¼ cup / 60 g (2.12 oz) sugar-free ketchup
• ¼ cup / 45 g (1.59 oz) brown sugar substitute, like erythritol or monk fruit
• 1 tablespoon / 15 ml (0.5 fl oz) apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon / 3 g (0.11 oz) ginger powder
• ½ teaspoon / 1.5 g (0.05 oz) xanthan gum, optional for thickening
• Cooked cauliflower rice, for serving
• Sliced green onions, for garnish
Instructions
1. Lightly grease the insert of your slow cooker. Arrange the chicken tenderloins in a single layer at the bottom.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, soy sauce, bourbon, ketchup, brown sugar substitute, apple cider vinegar, and ginger powder until smooth.
3. Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker.
4. Secure the lid and cook on LOW for 2 to 3 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
5. Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat, then set it aside.
6. To thicken the sauce, sprinkle the xanthan gum evenly over the liquid left in the slow cooker and whisk vigorously to combine. Turn the slow cooker to HIGH and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.
7. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir well to coat every piece in the rich, thickened sauce.
8. Serve hot over a bed of cauliflower rice and garnish with fresh sliced green onions, if desired.
Nutritional Information
• Serving Size: 1 serving (recipe makes 4) | Calories: 175 kcal | Protein: 26 g (0.92 oz) | Fat: 4 g (0.14 oz) | Net Carbohydrates: 5 g (0.18 oz)
Pro Tips
• For a richer, more moist result, substitute chicken tenderloins with 1 pound (454 g / 16 oz) of boneless, skinless chicken thighs. You may need to add 30-60 minutes to the cook time.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce mixture for a delicious spicy kick.
• This chicken is perfect for meal prep! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will meld and become even better overnight.
• To thicken the sauce without xanthan gum, remove the chicken and let the sauce simmer on HIGH with the lid off for 15-20 minutes, or until it has reduced to your desired consistency.
FAQ
Q: Is this slow cooker bourbon chicken recipe keto
A: Absolutely! This recipe is designed to be completely keto-friendly. It uses a brown sugar substitute and sugar-free ketchup to achieve the classic sweet and savory flavor without the carbs. With only 5g (0.18 oz) of net carbohydrates per serving, it’s a perfect low-carb meal.
Q: Can I make this bourbon chicken spicy
A: Yes, you can easily add a spicy kick. For a delicious, fiery flavor, the recipe suggests adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce mixture before you start cooking.
Q: What can I use instead of chicken tenderloins
A: For a richer and more moist result, you can substitute the chicken tenderloins with 1 pound (454 g / 16 oz) of boneless, skinless chicken thighs. You may need to increase the cooking time on LOW by 30 to 60 minutes to ensure they are fully cooked and tender.
Q: How do I thicken the bourbon chicken sauce without xanthan gum
A: If you don’t have xanthan gum, you can still thicken the sauce. After removing the cooked chicken, turn the slow cooker to HIGH and let the sauce simmer with the lid off for 15-20 minutes, or until it has reduced to your desired consistency.
Pro Tips
- Chicken tenderloins cook through in 2–3 hours on LOW; for a richer, moister result use boneless skinless chicken thighs and add 30–60 minutes to the cook time.
- Shred the meat with two forks while the sauce thickens, then return it to the pot so every strand gets coated in the glaze.
- No xanthan gum? Remove the chicken and let the sauce simmer on HIGH with the lid off for 15–20 minutes until it reduces to your preferred thickness.
- The flavors meld and deepen overnight, so this is a natural meal-prep dish — it keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- For a spicy kick, whisk a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha into the sauce mixture before it goes into the slow cooker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bourbon chicken keto?
This version is — each serving lands at about 5 g of net carbs, thanks to sugar-free ketchup and a brown sugar substitute instead of the usual sugar glaze.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of tenderloins?
Yes, and many cooks prefer them for extra moisture and richness. Plan on 30–60 minutes of extra time on LOW.
How do I thicken the sauce without xanthan gum?
Take the chicken out and let the sauce bubble on HIGH with the lid off for 15–20 minutes until it reduces and clings to the meat.
What should I serve with keto bourbon chicken?
The recipe serves it over cauliflower rice, finished with sliced green onions. The sauce is rich enough that a simple base is all you need.
Recipe card below.
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Keto Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- Lightly grease the insert of your slow cooker.
- Arrange the chicken tenderloins in a single layer at the bottom.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, soy sauce, bourbon, ketchup, brown sugar substitute, apple cider vinegar, and ginger powder until smooth.
- Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Secure the lid and cook on LOW for 2 to 3 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat, then set it aside.
- To thicken the sauce, sprinkle the xanthan gum evenly over the liquid left in the slow cooker and whisk vigorously to combine.
- Turn the slow cooker to HIGH and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir well to coat every piece in the rich, thickened sauce.
- Serve hot over a bed of cauliflower rice and garnish with fresh sliced green onions, if desired.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce mixture for a delicious spicy kick.
