Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken makes the perfect homemade takeout dish made completely in the crock-pot or an Instant Pot pressure cooker.
Yields 6
Homemade sweet and sour chicken. No need to order take-out with this easy delicious slow cooker version.
15 minPrep Time
3 hr, 30 Cook Time
3 hr, 45 Total Time
2 based on 1 review(s)
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized 1” cubes
2/3 cup cornstarch (or arrowroot powder for Paleo friendly version)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking oil
1 cup pineapple chunks
2 sweet bell peppers (I used 1 red, 1 green), deseeded and cut into 1" pieces
Sesame seeds, for garnish
Sauce
1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce (use gluten free Tamari or coconut aminos for paleo version)]
1/4 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons tomato paste or ketchup
3 tablespoons of honey or brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 teaspoons oyster sauce
1 teaspoon of dark soy sauce (leave out if you can’t find this)
1/4 teaspoon of sesame oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
Corn starch slurry
2 tablespoons corn starch (or arrowroot powder) + 3 tablespoons cool water
For lunch bowls: cooked rice, quinoa or noodles, lunch containers
Instructions
- In a large zip-top bag, toss in the chicken, cornstarch salt and black pepper. Shake until well-coated. Set aside.
- Make the sauce In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the sauce, set aside.
- For Slow Cooker Method:
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. (You can skip this stove-top step if you prefer or are in a pinch. Just add chicken directly to slow cooker. Chicken will not have that crispy coating) Cook chicken about 2-3 minutes on each side, until lightly browned. Transfer chicken into the slow cooker and pour sauce over top.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 2.5 - 4 hours or HIGH for 1.5 - 3 hours. (SEE NOTES)
- About 30 minutes before serving, whisk together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl and stir into the slow cooker. Add the pineapples and bell peppers into the pot. Cover and cook on HIGH for another 20-30 minutes or until the sauce has thickened up and the vegetables are tender.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds, green onions and serve over rice, quinoa or zoodles, if desired.
- For Instant Pot Method:
- Turn Instant Pot to SAUTE. (skip this step and just cook on MANUAL for 5 minutes if you are in a pinch or prefer. The chicken won't have that crispy coating.) Allow pan to heat up for a few minutes then add oil. Cook chicken in batches (placing the browned chicken on a paper-towel lined plate) about 3-4 minutes on each side, until lightly browned. Once all the chicken is browned, add back to the Instant Pot and pour sauce over top.
- Close and seal Instant Pot.
- Click MANUAL and set for 3 minutes, let naturally release for 10-15 minutes. Transfer chicken to a large serving plate or bowl.
- Turn Instant Pot to SAUTE.
- Add the pineapple and bell peppers and cook for 2-3 minutes, until tender.
- Combine the corn starch with water and stir into the Instant Pot. Allow the sauce to bubble and thicken up. Add the chicken back to the Instant Pot and cook for a minute or two until everything is heated through.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds, green onions and serve over rice, quinoa or zoodles, if desired.
- For meal prep: Prepare your favorite carb (rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, roasted potatoes, rice noodles) and add to containers. Divide sweet and sour chicken among containers and add any other of your favorite roasted or stir-fried vegetables.
Notes
I recommend using low sodium if possible.
Skip browning meat if desired and add directly to slow cooker. Meat will not have crispy coating.
You can use ketchup in place of the tomato paste. Just omit or reduce the apple cider vinegar as it may be too sour.
Due to the lower heating element in older slow cookers, the sauce may not thicken in the slow cooker. If that is the case, spoon out all the sauce from the slow cooker into a small saucepan and bring to a boil on high heat until it thickens up. Pour sauce over chicken and stir to combine