Tropical Chicken Delight
This Tropical Chicken Delight is an absolutely scrumptious family favorite that brings the flavors of the islands right to your table! The tender chicken is simmered to perfection in a wonderful blend of zesty ingredients, which creates a savory sauce that’s not overly sweet, balancing tastes that everyone will enjoy. Perfect for busy days, this dish cooks effortlessly in your crock pot while you tackle your daily errands. Serve it over fluffy buttered rice to soak up all the flavorful sauce for a delightful meal that will have your loved ones coming back for seconds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
chicken breasts
2-3 (cut into bite-sized pieces)
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (for browning chicken)
onion
1 (chopped)
celery ribs
2 (chopped)
ketchup
1 cup (none)
water
1/2 cup (none)
lemon juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed preferred)
vinegar
2 tablespoons (white or apple cider vinegar)
brown sugar
2 tablespoons (packed)
Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons (none)
pineapple tidbits
1 (8 ounce) can (drained well)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Instructions
1
Begin by cutting the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the chicken pieces. Cook them gently until they are lightly browned on the outside, then remove the chicken from the skillet and transfer it to the bottom of the crock pot.
2
In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are tender but not browned, stirring occasionally.
3
Once the onion and celery are cooked, combine them with all the remaining ingredients: ketchup, water, lemon juice, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, pineapple tidbits, and salt. Simmer the mixture for about 1 minute to allow the flavors to meld.
4
Pour the prepared sauce over the browned chicken in the crock pot, making sure to cover the chicken well.
5
Cover and cook on high for the first hour, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for another 3-4 hours. For a thicker sauce, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with water during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
6
Once done, serve the Tropical Chicken Delight over warm, buttered rice and enjoy a taste of the tropics!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tropical Chicken Delight?
It is a scrumptious family favorite that brings island flavors to your table using tender chicken and a savory, zesty sauce.
How should I prepare the chicken?
Cut 2-3 chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and lightly brown them in a skillet with vegetable oil before adding them to the crock pot.
Do I need to brown the chicken before slow cooking?
Yes, the instructions specify browning the chicken pieces gently in vegetable oil until lightly browned on the outside.
What vegetables are included in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one chopped onion and two chopped celery ribs.
How do I cook the onion and celery?
Sauté the chopped onion and celery in a skillet until they are tender but not browned.
What ingredients make up the sauce?
The sauce consists of ketchup, water, lemon juice, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, pineapple tidbits, and salt.
Is the Tropical Chicken Delight sauce very sweet?
No, the sauce is a wonderful blend of zesty ingredients that creates a savory taste that is not overly sweet.
How can I make the sauce thicker?
You can add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with water during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
What is the recommended cooking time in the crock pot?
Cook on high for the first hour, then reduce the heat to low and cook for another 3-4 hours.
What size can of pineapple is required?
The recipe requires one 8-ounce can of pineapple tidbits.
Should the pineapple be drained?
Yes, the pineapple tidbits should be drained well before being added to the sauce mixture.
What type of vinegar should I use?
You can use either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
Is fresh lemon juice necessary?
The recipe recommends freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
How much ketchup is used in the sauce?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of ketchup.
What is the best side dish for this meal?
It is best served over fluffy buttered rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.
How much brown sugar is added?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of packed brown sugar.
How long should I simmer the sauce ingredients in the skillet?
Simmer the mixture for about 1 minute to allow the flavors to meld before pouring it over the chicken.
What oil is best for browning the chicken?
The recipe recommends using 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
How many celery ribs are needed?
You will need 2 chopped celery ribs.
Is this recipe easy to make on busy days?
Yes, it is perfect for busy days as it cooks effortlessly in a crock pot while you handle other tasks.
Can I use a different type of chicken?
The recipe specifies chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces for the best results.
What is the purpose of Worcestershire sauce in this recipe?
It adds a savory depth to the zesty, tropical-inspired sauce.
How much salt is included?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of salt, or you can adjust to taste.
Can I skip the browning step?
Browning is recommended to enhance the flavor and texture of the chicken before it slow cooks.
Should the onion be browned?
No, the onion and celery should be sautéed only until tender.
What type of pineapple cut is used?
The recipe specifically calls for pineapple tidbits.
Can I use water or juice for the sauce?
The recipe specifically requires 1/2 cup of water combined with the other sauce ingredients.
Is this a family-friendly recipe?
Yes, it is described as an absolutely scrumptious family favorite with flavors everyone will enjoy.
How many chicken breasts do I need?
You will need between 2 and 3 chicken breasts.
What is the very first step of the recipe?
The first step is to cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.