Get ready to transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary adventure with this mouthwatering Slow Cooked Sweet Sour Chicken! Imagine tender, juicy chicken pieces perfectly bathed in a tangy-sweet sauce, packed with colorful bell peppers and succulent pineapple chunks. This Chinese-inspired dish isn't just a meal; it's a flavor journey that will transport you straight to a gourmet restaurant, all from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: Chinese
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1 cup bell peppers, chopped
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1 cup sweet and sour sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by cutting boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes, seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Chop bell peppers and onions into uniform bite-sized pieces, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
- Drain and prepare pineapple chunks, setting aside for later use in the slow cooker.
- Grease the interior of a 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Layer the chopped chicken pieces evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle chopped onions and bell peppers over the chicken, distributing them uniformly.
- Add pineapple chunks across the top of the vegetable and chicken layer.
- Pour the entire cup of sweet and sour sauce over the ingredients, ensuring complete coverage.
- Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat setting for 4 hours.
- After 4 hours, check chicken's internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure safe cooking.
- Gently stir the chicken and sauce to coat ingredients thoroughly before serving.
- Serve hot over steamed white or brown rice, garnishing with additional fresh herbs if desired.
Tips
- Cut chicken and vegetables into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
- Always use a non-stick cooking spray to prevent ingredients from sticking to the slow cooker.
- For extra flavor, consider briefly searing chicken cubes before placing them in the slow cooker.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- If sauce seems too thin after cooking, you can thicken it by mixing a cornstarch slurry and stirring it in during the last 30 minutes.
- Choose fresh, ripe pineapple chunks for the best natural sweetness and texture.
- Experiment with adding a tablespoon of ginger or garlic for an extra flavor boost.
- Let the dish rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to allow flavors to meld together perfectly.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 402kcal
Carbohydrates: 56g
Protein: 33g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 85mg
