Simple Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe

Slow cooker sweet and sour chicken is an easy slow cooker chicken recipe. Diced chicken, pineapple chunks, peppers, and more, all smothered in a homemade sweet and sour sauce. This sweet-and-sour chicken recipe is one of our favorites to serve with a bed of rice.

Sweet and Sour Chicken on a silver plate topped with rice and garnished with chopped green onion and sesame seeds.

This is a family favorite and is so easy to throw together in no time. This easy recipe is a slow-cooker sweet and savory style recipe. Make Chinese food at home with everyday ingredients.

Do you love Chinese-inspired recipes? Try out my slow cooker beef broccoli as well. Or try out this pineapple pork slow cooker recipe for another sweet and savory recipe.

Table of Contents

Why This Recipe Works

Effortless Preparation: One of the greatest advantages of this slow cooker recipe is its simplicity. With minimal prep time, all you have to do is place the ingredients into the cooker and let time do the rest. Great on a busy day!
Versatility in Serving: This dish pairs beautifully with various sides, from classic steamed rice to quinoa, for those seeking a healthier twist, making it a versatile option for any meal.
Leftover Friendly: Not only is it a hit on the first day, but the flavors of the sweet and sour chicken further intensify overnight, making leftovers something to look forward to.
Customizable to Taste: Whether you prefer a tangier sauce or an extra kick of spice, this recipe is easily customizable, allowing anyone to adjust the flavors to their specific liking.

Key Ingredients

Peppers, pineapple, onion, chicken breast, soy sauce, and other ingredients on a marble countertop.

Chicken Breasts – You can use chicken breasts, tenderloins, or boneless chicken thighs. Diced chicken is key.
Carrots, Peppers, and onion – These are the three veggies used in the crockpot chicken dish. I used a mix of pepper colors.
Pineapple Chunks – Canned pineapple works great for this recipe.
Cornstarch – Cornstarch is the thickening agent of the dish.
Soy Sauce – The base is soy sauce; you can use a low-sodium soy sauce if you would like.
Honey – The sweetener in the sauce; you could use agave if needed.
Garlic, Ginger, Chili Paste, Tomato Paste – The base of the sauce is these ingredients. It is going to add lots of flavor.
White Wine Vinegar and Worcestershire Sauce – These two ingredients are the last two for the sauce. Smokey and tangy is what you will get with them.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.

Substitutions and Variations

Protein Swap: If you’re not a fan of chicken or simply want to shake things up, try using cubed pork or shrimp as an alternative. Tofu can be a great option for a vegetarian version.
Veggies Variety: Feel free to incorporate more vegetables like snap peas, broccoli, or baby corn to add more nutrition and color to the dish.
Pineapple Alternatives: If pineapple isn’t your thing, mango chunks can provide a similar tropical sweetness.
Sauce Adjustments: For a lower sugar option, you can reduce the honey or replace it with a sugar-free sweetener. If you need a gluten-free option, ensure your soy sauce is gluten-free.
Cornstarch Substitution: Arrowroot powder can be used in place of cornstarch as a thickening agent if needed.

How To Make Easy Slow Cooker Sweet And Sour Chicken

Collage of creating sweet and sour chicken.

Load the slow cooker with the chicken and your choice of vegetables. (Photo 1)
In a separate container, whisk the sauce ingredients together before drizzling the mixture over the top of the chicken, ensuring it’s well covered. Give it a stir. (Photos 2 & 3) Close the lid and set it to cook on low.
Once cooked, extract the chicken to shred or dice and then reintroduce it into the crock pot. (Photo 4)

Collage of steps for sweet and sour chicken.

Mix the pineapple juice with cornstarch to create a slurry and fold it into the crock-pot to thicken the existing sauce. (Photos 5 & 6)
Finish by sprinkling sesame seeds and slicing green onions for garnish, or pair the dish with a side of wholesome brown rice.

A plate of sweet and sour chicken topped with rice.

Recipe Tips

You can sweeten it with brown sugar instead of honey if you would like.
Use all green bell peppers, or do a mix of red bell pepper and orange or red and green bell pepper. It is your choice.
Add in a can of drained water chestnuts.
Leave out the pineapple if you would like to not have it in the chicken mixture.
Drain the chunks of pineapple when you put it in the crockpot. You will use the juice for later.
This is a sticky sauce, so once the cornstarch goes in, it takes a bit to thicken. Takes about another 30 minutes in the cooking process.

Alternative Cooking Methods

For those who want to speed up the cooking process or prefer using different kitchen gadgets, this recipe is versatile and can be adapted to various cooking methods:

Instant Pot: To cook sweet and sour chicken in an Instant Pot, use the ‘Sauté’ function to brown the chicken and vegetables before adding the remaining ingredients. Cook under high pressure for 5 minutes, followed by a quick release. Use the ‘Sauté’ function again to add the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.
Stovetop: You can easily prepare this dish on the stovetop as well. Simply cook the chicken and vegetables in a large skillet or wok, stir in the sauce ingredients, and let it simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thickened. Use a cornstarch slurry to achieve the desired sauce consistency.
Oven Baked: Another alternative is to bake the chicken and vegetables with the sauce in an oven. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), combine all ingredients in a baking dish, and bake covered for about 45 minutes to an hour, until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the sauce has thickened.

Storing Tips

To maintain the freshness and flavors of leftover Sweet and Sour Chicken, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the dish for extended storage; place it in a freezer-safe container or bag, squeezing out as much air as possible before sealing. It’ll keep well for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen.

For reheating, place the leftovers in a microwave-safe dish and cover it, heating on high for 2-3 minutes or until hot throughout. Alternatively, for a crispier texture, reheat in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it’s warmed to your satisfaction. If necessary, add a splash of water to loosen the sauce up.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your chicken with white rice, or even try this cilantro lime rice

For a flavorful twist, consider pairing your Sweet and Sour Chicken with other grains such as quinoa or Jasmine rice. Vegetables such as roasted Brussels sprouts could complement the dish, providing a balanced and nutritious meal.

Closeup of sweet and sour chicken with rice.

Recipe FAQs

Is sweet and sour chicken the same as orange chicken?

Orange chicken offers a sweet and tangy flavor that provides a citrus flavor. Sweet and sour are sweeter, with a hint of tartness and more of a pineapple flavor.

Why is sweet and sour sauce red?

So some sweet and sour is red from food coloring. Others are the ingredients that just offer that tinge of red color. You can always add food coloring to change up the color of the sauce if you want.

Can I use other chicken parts?

Yes! Skinless chicken thighs will work just as well.

More Crockpot Recipes To Try

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Sweet and sour chicken garnished with chopped green onion and sesame seeds.

5 from 6 votes