Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken

Ingredients

Gather your ingredients to create this fantastic sweet and sour chicken. The combination of fresh vegetables and a homemade sauce base ensures a healthier and more flavorful experience than store-bought alternatives.

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to prepare a mouthwatering sweet and sour chicken dish that’s bursting with flavor. The slow cooker method ensures tender chicken and a perfectly infused sauce with minimal effort.

Pro Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken

Elevate your homemade sweet and sour chicken with these expert tips and tricks to ensure a delicious and perfectly cooked meal every time:

• Browning the Chicken (Optional but Recommended): While the slow cooker does most of the work, quickly searing the chicken cubes in a hot pan for 2-3 minutes per side before adding them to the slow cooker can add a deeper, richer flavor and better texture. This step isn’t mandatory for the slow cooker method but can significantly enhance the dish.
• Adjusting Sweetness and Sourness: The beauty of homemade sweet and sour sauce is its customizability. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add an extra tablespoon or two of brown sugar. For a tangier profile, a splash more apple cider vinegar can do the trick. Taste the sauce before adding it to the slow cooker and adjust to your preference.
• Perfect Sauce Thickness: The cornstarch slurry is key for thickening. If your sauce isn’t as thick as you’d like after cooking, remove about ½ cup of the sauce, whisk in an additional tablespoon of cornstarch, then return it to the slow cooker and stir well. Cook on high for another 15-30 minutes, or until desired thickness is reached.
• Vegetable Crunch: If you prefer your bell peppers and onions to be slightly crispier, you can add them during the last hour of cooking on HIGH. This prevents them from becoming too soft during the long cooking process.
• Using Chicken Thighs: For an even juicier and more forgiving cut of meat, feel free to substitute chicken breast with boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They tend to hold up exceptionally well in the slow cooker and absorb the flavors beautifully.
• Fresh Pineapple Power: While canned pineapple is convenient, using fresh pineapple chunks can add a brighter, more vibrant flavor. If using fresh, you can still use a bit of pineapple juice from a can or water for the sauce base.
• Spice It Up: For those who enjoy a little heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture or a dash of Sriracha when serving.

Serving Suggestions

This Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken is incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides to complete your meal. Here are some of our favorite ways to serve it:

• Classic White Rice: The traditional choice, white rice perfectly soaks up the delicious sweet and sour sauce.
• Brown Rice or Quinoa: For a healthier, whole-grain option, serve with brown rice or quinoa.
• Noodles: Egg noodles, lo mein noodles, or even ramen noodles can be a fantastic base. Cook them separately and toss with the chicken and sauce.
• Steamed Vegetables: Boost your veggie intake by serving alongside steamed broccoli, snap peas, or green beans.
• Cauliflower Rice: A low-carb alternative that still captures all the wonderful flavors of the sauce.
• Garnish: Freshly chopped green onions (scallions) and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds add both flavor and visual appeal.

Recipe Variations to Explore

Feel free to get creative with this recipe! The slow cooker sweet and sour chicken is highly adaptable to different tastes and dietary needs:

• Different Proteins:
  • Pork: Use cubed pork loin or shoulder for a rich, tender alternative.
  • Tofu: For a vegetarian option, press extra-firm tofu, cube it, and lightly fry or bake until golden before adding to the slow cooker for the last hour of cooking.
  • Shrimp: Add raw shrimp during the last 30 minutes of cooking on HIGH, as shrimp cooks quickly.
• More Vegetables:
  • Carrots: Sliced carrots can be added with the other vegetables for extra sweetness and crunch.
  • Mushrooms: Sliced mushrooms add an earthy depth.
  • Water Chestnuts & Bamboo Shoots: For an authentic Asian takeout feel, add canned water chestnuts and bamboo shoots (drained) during the last hour.
  • Snow Peas or Bell Peppers: For a fresher bite, stir in additional snow peas or thinly sliced bell peppers during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking.
• Sauce Adjustments:
  • Ginger: Add ½ teaspoon of grated fresh ginger to the sauce for an aromatic kick.
  • Orange Juice: Replace a portion of the pineapple juice with orange juice for a different fruity note.
  • Sriracha/Chili Garlic Sauce: Incorporate a teaspoon or two of Sriracha or chili garlic sauce into the sauce mixture for a spicy sweet and sour chicken.

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating

This slow cooker sweet and sour chicken is fantastic for meal prep! It stores well and reheats beautifully, making it perfect for leftovers.

• Storage: Store any leftover sweet and sour chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making it even more delicious the next day.
• Freezing: This dish freezes wonderfully. Allow the chicken and sauce to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or container. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: For best results, reheat portions gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. You can also microwave individual servings, but be careful not to overcook the chicken, as it can dry out. Add a splash of water or chicken broth if the sauce seems too thick during reheating.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.