Description
This Crockpot Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe offers a delicious and easy way to enjoy tender chicken breasts cooked with colorful bell peppers and pineapple chunks in a tangy, flavorful sauce. Prepared in a slow cooker, this dish requires minimal effort while delivering a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors, ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner served over rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks in 100% juice, undrained
Sauce
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
To Serve
- Cooked rice
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Place the chicken pieces, chopped red and green bell peppers, and the entire can of pineapple, including the juice, into a 5-6 quart slow cooker. Season everything with a pinch of salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.
- Make the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, honey, apple cider vinegar, reduced-sodium soy sauce, ketchup, garlic powder, and ground ginger until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This sauce will provide the signature sweet and tangy flavor of the dish.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker. Cover the cooker and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours or on HIGH for 1.5 to 2 hours. Halfway through the cooking time, gently stir the contents to ensure even cooking and sauce distribution.
- Finish and Season: Once the chicken is fully cooked and tender, taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired. The sauce will thicken as it cools slightly, yielding a rich coating on the chicken and vegetables.
- Serve: Serve the sweet and sour chicken hot over cooked rice and garnish with sliced green onions for a fresh and colorful finish. Enjoy this comforting and flavorful meal!
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier texture if preferred.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce.
- If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it by adding a little water or chicken broth.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or add extra bell peppers for more crunch and color.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.
Keywords: sweet and sour chicken, crockpot chicken recipe, slow cooker recipes, easy chicken dinner, pineapple chicken, comfort food