Crockpot Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
This Crockpot Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe features tender chicken breast cooked slowly with vibrant bell peppers, onions, and pineapple chunks, all smothered in a tangy and sweet homemade sauce. Perfectly balanced flavors come together in a convenient slow cooker meal that’s easy to prepare and delivers a classic favorite with minimal effort.
- Author: Mia
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
Sauce Ingredients
- ½ cup vinegar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp ketchup
Optional Thickener
- 2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, dissolved in water)
- Prepare the Crockpot: Place the cubed chicken breast, chopped green and red bell peppers, chopped onion, and pineapple chunks directly into the crockpot, layering them evenly.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, and ketchup. Whisk together until the brown sugar is dissolved and the sauce is well blended.
- Add the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken and vegetable mixture in the crockpot, ensuring everything is coated.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender, and the vegetables are soft.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, dissolve 2 tablespoons of cornstarch in a small amount of water and stir it into the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Continue to cook until the sauce has thickened to your liking.
- Serve: Once cooked, stir gently to combine, and serve the sweet and sour chicken hot over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- Adjust vinegar and brown sugar quantities to balance sweetness and tartness to your preference.
- Using chicken thighs instead of breast will result in a juicier dish.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
- Adding pineapple juice can enhance the pineapple flavor if desired.
- Make sure to dissolve cornstarch well in cold water before adding to avoid lumps.
Keywords: sweet and sour chicken, crockpot recipes, slow cooker chicken, easy dinner, Chinese takeout copycat