Crockpot Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
This Crockpot Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe combines tender chicken breast, colorful bell peppers, and pineapple chunks in a tangy homemade sauce. Cooked low and slow in the crockpot, the dish offers a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors without needing constant attention. It’s ideal for an easy, flavorful weeknight meal served over steamed jasmine rice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours on low or 2 to 3 hours on high
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes (low) or 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
Sauce
- ½ cup vinegar (white or apple cider)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp ketchup
Optional Thickening
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water (to dissolve cornstarch)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Cube the chicken breast and chop the green and red bell peppers along with the onion. Drain or prepare 1 cup of pineapple chunks if using canned or fresh.
- Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: Place the cubed chicken, chopped bell peppers, onion, and pineapple chunks into the crockpot, spreading them evenly.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, and ketchup until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth.
- Add the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and vegetable mixture in the crockpot, ensuring everything is coated.
- Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Optional Thickening: About 30 minutes before the cooking time ends, if you prefer a thicker sauce, dissolve 2 tablespoons of cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry. Stir this into the crockpot and continue cooking to thicken.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the sweet and sour chicken over steamed jasmine rice for a complete, satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier alternative.
- Adjust the brown sugar quantity for a sweeter or less sweet flavor.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce salt content.
- Make sure to dissolve cornstarch in cold water before adding to avoid lumps.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Adding fresh ginger or garlic can enhance the flavor complexity.
Keywords: sweet and sour chicken, crockpot chicken recipes, slow cooker chicken, easy chicken dinner, pineapple chicken, weeknight meals