Slow Cooker Peach Bourbon Chicken Drumettes for Easy Weeknight Dinners Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For a deeper flavor profile, consider marinating the chicken in a small portion of the bourbon sauce for thirty minutes in the refrigerator before placing it in the slow cooker. This extra step helps the flavors penetrate the meat more deeply, although it is optional.

If you prefer a thicker sauce at the end, you can remove the chicken once cooked and simmer the remaining liquid in a saucepan over medium heat until it reaches your desired consistency.

If you want to add a bit of heat to the dish, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a small amount of cayenne pepper can be added alongside the brown sugar. This small addition provides a nice contrast to the sweetness of the peaches and the bourbon, making the flavor profile more complex. Always taste the sauce before serving to adjust the seasoning if necessary, as the sweetness can vary depending on the ripeness of the peaches used.

Variations

• Spicy Peach Bourbon: Add a tablespoon of hot sauce or a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce before cooking to introduce a pleasant heat that balances the sweetness.
• Garlic Herb Infusion: Incorporate two cloves of minced garlic and a teaspoon of dried thyme into the sauce for a more savory, aromatic depth that complements the peaches.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

Reheat

Reheat in a microwave or on the stovetop until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Allow any leftovers to cool to room temperature, but do not leave them out for more than two hours to ensure food safety. Once cooled, transfer the chicken and the sauce into an airtight container.

Keep the chicken submerged in the sauce to prevent it from drying out while stored in the refrigerator. Properly stored, the drumettes will remain safe to eat for up to three days, maintaining their quality and flavor throughout the storage period.

This dish is an excellent candidate for making ahead, as the flavors often improve after sitting for a day. You can assemble the ingredients in the slow cooker insert the night before, cover it, and keep it in the refrigerator. When you are ready to cook, simply place the insert into the slow cooker and start the cycle. This method is perfect for busy mornings when you want dinner to be ready the moment you walk through the door.

Serving ideas

Serve these drumettes hot, directly from the slow cooker or arranged on a platter, drizzled with the extra sauce and topped with the cooked peach slices.

They pair beautifully with simple sides like steamed jasmine rice, roasted potatoes, or a crisp green salad to balance the richness of the bourbon glaze. The sauce is quite flavorful, so having some crusty bread on hand to soak up every last drop is highly recommended for an enjoyable dining experience.

When serving, provide small bowls for bones if desired, and consider offering extra napkins, as this is a finger-friendly dish that can get quite messy.

If you are serving this at a gathering, keeping the slow cooker on a 'keep warm' setting will ensure that the chicken stays at an ideal temperature throughout the meal. The combination of sweet peaches and savory chicken makes this a versatile main course that fits perfectly into various dining occasions.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Slow Cooker Peach Bourbon Chicken Drumettes for Easy Weeknight Dinners

Prep 10 minCook 4 hRest 5 minTotal 4 h 15 minServes 4

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken drumettes, skin-on
• 2 cups peach slices, fresh or frozen
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup peach bourbon sauce, store-bought or made ahead

Instructions

1. Place the raw chicken drumettes into the base of the slow cooker, ensuring they are arranged in an even layer. If necessary, rinse the chicken under cold water before placing it in the slow cooker, taking care to avoid splashing water onto surrounding surfaces. Clean the sink and all surfaces thoroughly immediately after handling the raw poultry to maintain food safety standards throughout the cooking process.
2. Layer the fresh peach slices directly over the chicken drumettes. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly across the top of the peaches to encourage a rich, caramelized flavor profile as the dish cooks slowly.
3. Pour the peach bourbon sauce over the layered chicken and peaches, using a large spoon to ensure the sauce coats the ingredients thoroughly. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on low for four hours or until the chicken is fully cooked through.
4. Once the cooking time is complete, verify that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer. Carefully remove the drumettes from the slow cooker and let them rest for at least 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute for the best possible texture and flavor.

Contains: sulfites

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

320

Protein

22 g

Carbohydrates

35 g

Fat

10 g

Fiber

1.5 g

Sugar

28 g

Sodium

450 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.