Recipe: Crock-Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken

updated May 1, 2019
Post Image
Credit: Joe Lingeman

Mixed with bell pepper & onion and coated in a thick, glossy sauce, slow cooker sweet & sour chicken comes together with a handful of pantry ingredients.

Serves4

Prep5 minutes

Cook1 hour to 3 hours

Jump to Recipe
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

Like most of you, my introduction to sweet and sour chicken was by way of my local takeout joint. Several years later, I discovered that this takeout favorite is surprisingly easy to make at home — and easier still when your slow cooker is involved. The impossibly delicious sweet and tangy sauce comes together with just a few pantry ingredients, and it thickens while it cooks, blanketing the boneless chicken thighs and veggies.

(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

The Easiest Sweet & Sour Sauce Needs Just 4 Ingredients

As the name implies, this bold, sticky sauce hits your tongue with a sweet flavor, but stops short of being overwhelmingly sweet, thanks to a pop of vinegar that lends tangy balance and brightens things up. You’ll start with brown sugar and ketchup, and then add a splash of apple cider vinegar and a few tablespoons of cornstarch (which gives this sauce the thick texture you expect). It’s stirred together directly in the slow cooker so all that’s left to do is add the chicken, peppers, and onion and stir it all together.

Crock-Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken

Mixed with bell pepper & onion and coated in a thick, glossy sauce, slow cooker sweet & sour chicken comes together with a handful of pantry ingredients.

Prep time 5 minutes

Cook time 1 hour to 3 hours

Serves 4

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup

    packed brown sugar

  • 1/4 cup

    apple cider vinegar

  • 1/4 cup

    ketchup

  • 3 tablespoons

    cornstarch

  • 2 pounds

    boneless, skinless chicken thighs (6 to 8)

  • 2

    medium red or green bell peppers, cored, seeded, and chopped

  • 1

    large onion, chopped

Instructions

  1. Place the brown sugar, vinegar, ketchup, and cornstarch in a 6-quart or larger slow cooker and whisk until the cornstarch is dissolved. Add the chicken, peppers, and onion and stir to combine.

  2. Cover and cook on the LOW setting for 2 to 3 hours or on the HIGH setting for 1 to 2 hours.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Leftovers will keep in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.