Name: Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-492138H2M51S
Total time: PT-492138H2M51S
Cuisine: asian
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 large bell pepper (any color), cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 medium onion, chopped; 1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks, undrained; 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar; 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed; 1/4 cup ketchup; 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium preferred); 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional); Cooked rice or noodles, for serving; Sesame seeds and chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)

Description

This Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Chicken recipe is a healthy and delicious way to enjoy a flavorful meal with minimal effort, perfect for busy weeknights. It’s a true set-it-and-forget-it dish that delivers on taste without demanding hours in the kitchen. Imagine coming home to the aroma of a perfectly cooked, tangy, and sweet chicken dish, ready to be served over rice or noodles. This recipe makes that dream a reality, offering a convenient solution for anyone looking to put a wholesome and satisfying dinner on the table with ease.

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 large bell pepper (any color), cut into 1-inch pieces

1 medium onion, chopped

1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks, undrained

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium preferred)

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)

Cooked rice or noodles, for serving

Sesame seeds and chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken and vegetables: Cut your boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs into uniform 1-inch pieces. Chop the bell pepper and onion into similar-sized pieces. Mince your garlic and grate the fresh ginger, if using.

2. Combine ingredients in the slow cooker: Place the cut chicken pieces, bell pepper, and onion into the bottom of your slow cooker.

3. Whisk the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the undrained pineapple chunks, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, cornstarch, minced garlic, and grated ginger until well combined and the cornstarch is dissolved.

4. Pour sauce over chicken: Pour the prepared sweet and sour sauce evenly over the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker. Stir gently to ensure everything is coated.

5. Cook to perfection: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender, and the sauce has thickened slightly. The chicken should shred easily with a fork.

6. Serve and garnish: Once cooked, stir the contents of the slow cooker. Serve the sweet and sour chicken hot over a bed of freshly cooked rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for an extra touch of flavor and color, if desired.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3-8 hours
Category: main dish
Method: slow cooker
Cuisine: asian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving

Keywords: slow cooker, sweet and sour, chicken, easy, weeknight, meal prep, family friendly, asian inspired, healthy, dinner