Slow Cooker Sweet And Sour Chicken is a dish that combines the perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors with tender, juicy chicken coated in a rich, flavorful sauce that pairs beautifully with steamed rice or noodles that’s perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic, ginger, and bell peppers make a significant difference in flavor.
- Don’t Skip Browning: For extra flavor, sear the chicken pieces in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker.
- Balance the Sauce: Taste the sauce before adding it to the slow cooker and adjust the sweetness or tanginess as needed.
- Avoid Overcooking: To keep the chicken tender, avoid cooking it for too long.
Enjoy this delicious crockpot sweet and sour chicken with your entire family as a hearty Chinese takeout dinner. If you are looking for the skillet version get the recipe here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Sweet and Sour Chicken Chinese?
Yes, this dish is frequently served in Chinese restaurants in various Western countries. Generally, it consists of white meat chicken deep-fried in batter and served with sweet and sour sauce and topped with green pepper, pineapple, carrot, or sweet pickles.
Is orange chicken the same as sweet and sour chicken?
Orange chicken usually has a lighter-colored sweet, savory, sour glaze. And authentic Chinese-style orange chicken uses dried orange peel and it’s not sauced with orange juice or fresh oranges and it is not battered and fried.
Difference between sesame chicken and sweet and sour chicken?
Sesame Chicken has a hint of sweetness and is typically salty and served with sesame seeds whereas sweet-sour chicken has a little more heat and typically sweeter. The sauce is redder than the brown sauce served with sesame chicken.
Cooking Tips
- You don’t need to add extra salt because the soy sauce already does that for you, but it can depend upon which sodium level it has, so it’s better to taste and adjust the seasoning.
- You can use tomato paste instead of ketchup (if you don’t have in hand). The taste will be slightly different but yes you will enjoy the recipe.
- You can add quite a few different types of vegetables like – Add onions, any color of bell pepper will be fine, water chestnuts or even some baby corn. You can also spice it up with red chili peppers (seeds removed).
How to Store and Reheat
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: This dish freezes well! Portion it into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Warm it on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through. If the sauce has thickened, add a splash of water or chicken broth while reheating.
How to Serve this Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken?
To enjoy the best version of this dish, serve it over steamed white rice or brown rice. You could also stir in some spaghetti or rice noodles or pasta with some extra sauce.
Recipe FAQs
1. Can I use frozen chicken in this recipe?
Yes, but it’s best to thaw the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker for even cooking.
2. How do I prevent the vegetables from becoming mushy?
Add the bell peppers during the last hour of cooking for a firmer texture.
3. Can I make this on the stovetop instead of a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Sauté the chicken and vegetables, add the sauce, and simmer until the chicken is cooked and the sauce thickens.
4. What can I use if I don’t have rice vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar can be used as substitutes.
5. Can I double this recipe?
Yes! Just ensure your slow cooker is large enough to accommodate the extra ingredients.
Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken
Sweet and sour chicken is a dish that combines the perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors with tender, juicy chicken coated in a rich, flavorful sauce that pairs beautifully with steamed rice or noodles that's perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 1 cup vinegar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 (20 ounces) can pineapple chunks
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1" pieces (you can also use thighs)
- 1 green pepper diced
- 1 red pepper diced
- 1/2 tsp minced ginger
- 3 tbsp corn starch
- 1 tsp minced garlic
Instructions
- Drain the pineapple and place in a container, refrigerate for later.
- In a 2.5-4 quart slow cooker place chicken, pineapple juice and bell peppers.
- Combine soy sauce, sugar, 1 tbsp. corn starch, ketchup, vinegar, and garlic and pour over chicken.
- Cook on high for 1.5-2 hours or low for 3-4 hours on until the meat is done.
- Make a cornstarch slurry (a mixture of cornstarch + water) with the remaining cornstarch and stir into the chicken mixture.
- Add the reserved pineapple and cook for another 25 - 30 minutes or until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Serve over steamed rice or noodles and garnish with green onions if desired.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
6Amount Per Serving Calories 375Total Fat 3gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 68mgSodium 536mgCarbohydrates 60gFiber 1gSugar 53gProtein 26g
dinnerbytes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although dinnerbytes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
How to Make Easy Slow Cooker Crockpot Sweet and Sour Chicken?
Still Hungry! Try These Other Delicious Chicken Recipes:
- Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken
- Best Homemade Chicken Vegetable Soup
- Chicken Salad with Grapes and Apples
- Pan Frying Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
Final Thoughts
Slow cooker sweet and sour chicken is a delightful dish that combines convenience, versatility, and deliciousness. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or hosting a family dinner, this recipe is a guaranteed winner. With the tips and variations shared in this guide, you can confidently customize the dish to suit your taste and dietary needs.
