Hearty Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken Delight
Experience a heartwarming twist on classic sweet and sour chicken with this delectable slow cooker recipe. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish brings together tender, juicy chicken breasts, vibrant bell peppers, and sweet pineapple, all enveloped in a luscious, tangy sauce. With wholesome ingredients and a healthy approach, you’re set for a satisfying meal that cooks while you tackle your day. Just toss it all in your slow cooker, and let the flavors meld as you enjoy your time. Serve it over rice or quinoa for a wholesome and balanced dinner that the whole family will love!
6
Servings
300
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 lbs (trimmed of excess fat)
Pineapple chunks in syrup
1 (16 ounce) can (drained, syrup reserved)
Low-sodium, low-fat chicken broth
1 (14 ounce) can (none)
Vinegar
1/4 cup (none)
Brown sugar or Splenda brown sugar blend
3 tablespoons or 1 1/2 tablespoons (none)
Minced garlic
1 teaspoon (none)
Reduced sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons (none)
Red bell pepper
1 large (cut into 1 inch chunks)
Onion
1 medium (cut into 1 inch chunks)
Cornstarch
3 tablespoons (none)
Cold water
1/4 cup (none)
Instructions
1
Spray the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2
Place the trimmed chicken breasts in the slow cooker, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
3
In a small saucepan, combine the reserved pineapple syrup, chicken broth, vinegar, brown sugar (or Splenda), garlic, and soy sauce. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently until the sugar has fully dissolved.
4
Pour the sweet and sour mixture over the chicken breasts, making sure they are well coated.
5
Cover with the lid and cook on high heat for 1 hour to allow the flavors to start infusing into the chicken.
6
After 1 hour, add the drained pineapple chunks, onion, and red bell pepper to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine, and cover again.
7
Switch the slow cooker to low heat and cook for an additional 6-8 hours until the chicken is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
8
In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch with the cold water. Stir until smooth.
9
About 30 minutes before serving, add the cornstarch mixture to the slow cooker and stir to incorporate. Cover and cook on LOW for an extra 30 minutes to thicken the sauce.
10
Serve hot over rice or quinoa and enjoy your hearty meal!
Nutrition Information
1g
Fat
39g
Carbs
27g
Protein
1g
Fiber
6g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken Delight?
It is a heartwarming and healthy slow cooker twist on classic sweet and sour chicken, featuring tender chicken, pineapple, and bell peppers in a tangy sauce.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What type of chicken should I use?
The recipe calls for 1.5 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of excess fat.
Can I use canned pineapple?
Yes, use a 16-ounce can of pineapple chunks in syrup, but be sure to reserve the syrup for the sauce.
How do I prepare the slow cooker?
Spray the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent the chicken and vegetables from sticking.
What ingredients are in the sweet and sour sauce?
The sauce is made from reserved pineapple syrup, chicken broth, vinegar, brown sugar or Splenda, garlic, and soy sauce.
Is there a sugar-free option for the sweetener?
Yes, you can use 1.5 tablespoons of Splenda brown sugar blend instead of the 3 tablespoons of regular brown sugar.
How long does the chicken cook before adding vegetables?
The chicken should cook on high heat for 1 hour with the sauce before you add the vegetables and pineapple.
When do I add the peppers and onions?
Add the red bell pepper, onion, and pineapple chunks after the initial 1 hour of cooking on high.
What is the total cooking time on low heat?
After the initial hour on high, the dish cooks for an additional 6 to 8 hours on low heat.
How do I thicken the sweet and sour sauce?
Mix 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of cold water and stir it into the slow cooker 30 minutes before serving.
What should I serve with this chicken?
This dish is best served hot over a bed of rice or quinoa for a balanced meal.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
How much fat is in this recipe?
This is a very low-fat dish, containing only 1 gram of fat per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 27 grams of protein in each serving of this sweet and sour chicken.
How many carbohydrates are in this meal?
There are 39 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Does this recipe have a lot of sugar?
Each serving contains 6 grams of sugar.
What kind of broth is recommended?
The recipe suggests using one 14-ounce can of low-sodium, low-fat chicken broth.
How should I cut the vegetables?
The red bell pepper and onion should be cut into 1-inch chunks.
Can I use regular soy sauce?
The recipe recommends 2 teaspoons of reduced-sodium soy sauce to keep the dish heart-healthy.
What is the role of vinegar in this recipe?
Vinegar provides the 'sour' component that balances the sweetness of the pineapple and brown sugar.
Is this recipe suitable for a busy weeknight?
Yes, it is an 'easy dinner' that cooks while you tackle your day, making it perfect for busy schedules.
Is there any fiber in this dish?
Yes, there is 1 gram of fiber per serving.
Can I use fresh garlic?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe is categorized as a Stew.
Are there any specific tags for this recipe?
Tags include slow cooker, healthy, sweet and sour chicken, easy dinner, family meal, and crockpot.
Do I need to heat the sauce ingredients first?
Yes, combine the syrup, broth, vinegar, sugar, garlic, and soy sauce in a saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves before pouring over the chicken.
Can I swap the chicken breasts for thighs?
While the recipe specifies breasts for a leaner meal, chicken thighs can be used, though cooking times and nutritional values may vary.
What color bell pepper is used?
The recipe specifically calls for one large red bell pepper.
Is this recipe family-friendly?
Yes, it is designed as a wholesome and balanced dinner that the whole family will love.