Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken Delight
Indulge in the flavors of this Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken Delight, where tender pieces of chicken are simmered in a luscious sauce that balances sweet and tangy. Perfectly suited for busy weeknights, this dish is family-friendly and can be served over rice or noodles for a complete meal. Let the slow cooker do the work while you enjoy the comforting aroma wafting through your kitchen!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
ketchup
2 tablespoons (none)
water
1 cup (none)
white vinegar
1/2 cup (none)
soy sauce
1 tablespoon (none)
brown sugar
1 cup (packed)
boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 1/2 lbs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
cornstarch
2 tablespoons (none)
water
2 tablespoons (for thickening)
Instructions
1
In a slow cooker, whisk together the ketchup, 1 cup of water, white vinegar, soy sauce, and packed brown sugar until the ingredients are well combined.
2
Add the bite-sized pieces of chicken to the mixture, stirring gently to ensure the chicken is coated in the sauce.
3
Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours or on High for 3 to 4 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and soak up the flavors.
4
After the cooking time is complete, in a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with the additional 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry.
5
Stir the cornstarch mixture into the slow cooker, mixing well with the chicken and sauce.
6
Switch the slow cooker to High and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
7
For quicker thickening, transfer the chicken mixture to a saucepan and heat on the stove over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken Delight?
It is a family-friendly slow cooker meal featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a luscious sweet and tangy sauce.
How long does it take to cook on Low?
The chicken should be cooked on the Low setting for 6 to 8 hours.
How long does it take to cook on High?
The chicken can be cooked on the High setting for 3 to 4 hours.
What type of chicken should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
What are the sauce ingredients?
The sauce consists of ketchup, water, white vinegar, soy sauce, and packed brown sugar.
How do I thicken the sauce?
Mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry and stir it into the slow cooker for the final 15-20 minutes.
Can I thicken the sauce on the stove?
Yes, for quicker thickening, you can transfer the mixture to a saucepan and heat it over medium heat while stirring constantly.
What should I serve with this dish?
This sweet and sour chicken is perfectly served over a bed of rice or noodles.
How should the chicken be prepared before cooking?
The chicken should be cut into bite-sized pieces before being added to the slow cooker.
Is this recipe easy to make?
Yes, it is an easy weeknight meal that involves whisking ingredients together and letting the slow cooker do the work.
What kind of vinegar is required?
The recipe specifies using 1/2 cup of white vinegar.
How much brown sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe requires 1 cup of packed brown sugar.
Do I need to brown the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker?
No, you can add the raw bite-sized chicken pieces directly into the whisked sauce mixture.
How much soy sauce is used?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of soy sauce.
How much ketchup is needed?
You will need 2 tablespoons of ketchup for the sauce base.
Can I add vegetables to this recipe?
While not listed in the core ingredients, you can easily add bell peppers or onions to the slow cooker for extra flavor and nutrition.
What is the purpose of the cornstarch slurry?
The slurry is used to thicken the thin cooking liquid into a glossy, luscious sauce.
How much water is used in the main sauce?
The recipe uses 1 cup of water for the sauce base, plus 2 additional tablespoons for the slurry.
Is this recipe considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food and is a hearty, satisfying meal.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 main ingredients used to prepare this dish.
Can I use frozen chicken?
It is recommended to use thawed chicken to ensure even cooking and food safety in the slow cooker.
Is the sauce very sweet?
The sauce balances sweet and tangy flavors using brown sugar and white vinegar.
Does this recipe contain cholesterol information?
The provided nutritional data for cholesterol is currently not specified.
Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar?
While the recipe calls for white vinegar, apple cider vinegar can be used as a substitute, though it may slightly alter the flavor profile.
How many servings does this make?
The exact number of servings is not specified, but it uses 1.5 lbs of chicken, typically serving 4 to 6 people.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include slow cooker, sweet and sour, chicken, easy weeknight meal, family-friendly, comfort food, and crockpot recipe.
Should I stir the chicken while it cooks?
You only need to stir it gently at the beginning to coat the chicken and occasionally during the final thickening stage.
Can I make this gluten-free?
To make it gluten-free, ensure you use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari and check your ketchup labels.
How do I know when the sauce is finished?
The sauce is finished when it has reached your desired consistency after adding the slurry and cooking for the final 15-20 minutes.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can double the ingredients as long as they fit comfortably within your slow cooker's capacity.