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Delicious Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken served on a white plate with fresh pineapple and green onion garnish.

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken

This Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken is a time-saving solution for busy weeknight dinners. With tender chicken coated in a savory sweet-and-sour sauce, it offers a delicious homemade alternative to takeout.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 700 g (1.5 lb) Chicken breasts, cut into large chunks
  • 1 Onion, peeled and cut into large chunks
  • 3 tbsp Tomato puree
  • 3 tbsp Light soy sauce
  • 4 cloves Garlic
  • 2 inches Ginger
  • 4 tbsp Honey
  • 4 tbsp White vinegar
  • 3 tbsp Cornflour
  • 2 tbsp Dark brown sugar
  • 3 Bell peppers, cut into big chunks
  • 435 g (15 oz) Tinned pineapple (in juice), in chunks

Method
 

  1. Combine the chicken, onion, tomato puree, light soy sauce, garlic, ginger, honey, white vinegar, salt, and pepper in your slow cooker. Add the juice from the tinned pineapple (reserve the chunks for later). Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 5-6 hours.
  2. Mix the cornflour with a bit of the cooking liquid to form a smooth slurry. Stir it back into the slow cooker to thicken the sauce.
  3. Add the dark brown sugar, bell peppers, and tinned pineapple chunks to the slow cooker.
  4. Continue cooking on high for 30 minutes, or transfer to the stovetop for 15 minutes to finish thickening the sauce and soften the peppers.

Notes

For a little heat: Add a pinch of chili flakes when stirring in the bell peppers for a touch of spice. Make ahead: Prep all your ingredients the night before and store them in the fridge until you're ready to cook. Batch cook: Double the recipe and freeze half for a future dinner. Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat gently. Don't skip the slurry: It’s essential for creating that thick, glossy sauce. Serve creatively: Pair with egg fried rice, sesame noodles, or even steamed broccoli for a lighter option.