Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken
This slow cooker sweet and sour chicken recipe combines tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a tangy-sweet sauce for a delicious, family-friendly meal. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 tbsp olive oil
- 500 g (1.1 lb) skinless boneless chicken thighs diced evenly
- 1 red onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic crushed
- thumb-sized piece ginger finely grated (see Notes)
- 1 red chilli deseeded and finely chopped
- 200 ml (⅞ cups) chicken stock (if using the slow cooker) or 400ml, just-boiled (if cooking on the hob)
- 30 g (1.1 oz) soft light brown sugar
- 4 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 peppers (any colours) deseeded and sliced
- 1 tsp cornflour
- 1 tbsp cold water
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 large spring onion sliced, to garnish (optional)
Instructions
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Heat the oil in a heavy-based casserole or large frying pan over a medium heat. Cook the whole chicken thighs for 4 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden on both sides.
- Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker, along with the onion, garlic, ginger, chilli, 200ml of stock, sugar, ketchup and vinegar. Put on the lid and cook on low for 5 hours. Add the peppers and cook for a further 30 minutes.
- Whisk together the cornflour and 1 tbsp of water in a small bowl, then add to the slow cooker, stirring until thickened. The chicken will be super tender and will break up as you stir. Just before serving, add the soy sauce, to taste, then garnish with the spring onion, if using.
- Enjoy with some rice, prawn crackers and sweet chilli sauce…yum!
On the Hob Instructions
- Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, then heat the oil in a heavy-based casserole over a medium heat. Cook the chicken for 4 minutes, until golden all over.
- Add the onion, peppers, garlic, ginger and chilli, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the 400ml of stock, sugar, ketchup and vinegar, then give it a good stir. Put a lid on, reduce the heat to low and cook for 45 minutes
- Whisk together the cornflour and water in a small bowl, then add to the pan, stirring until thickened. Just before serving, add the soy sauce, to taste, then garnish with the spring onion, if using.
Notes
-
- Vegetarian option - replace the chicken with tofu or jackfruit.
- Low-sugar option - use sugar-free ketchup and reduce the added sugar in the sauce.
- Spices - add chilli flakes for extra heat, or garnish with a drizzle of sriracha when serving.
- Leftover ideas - fill tacos or wraps, or mix it with noodles and stir-fried vegetables for a quick lo mein.
- This slow cooker sweet and sour chicken recipe can be cooked in a slow cooker or on the hob. Instructions for both are provided.
Nutrition
Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 578mg | Potassium: 649mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 2117IU | Vitamin C: 97mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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