Low Calorie Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken is a delicious dish that combines the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. Perfect for a busy weeknight or a cozy weekend dinner at home. Stovetop instructions included!
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Check out my Low Calorie Pulled Chicken and my Low Calorie Beef Stew for more slow cooker dinner recipes!
Low calorie slow cooker sweet and sour chicken is a popular Chinese-inspired dish that is loved for its sweet and tangy flavor profile and tender, juicy chicken.
One of the great things about this dish is that it can be made in a slow cooker, which makes it a perfect meal for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This recipe is simple and straightforward, with just a few basic steps to follow.
- The sweet and sour sauce is the star of this dish, with a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess that pairs perfectly with the tender chunks of chicken and colorful veggies.
- Cooking this dish in a slow cooker is incredibly convenient, as you can set it and forget it.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Green Bell Pepper & Red Bell Pepper: These colorful veggies add a nice crunch and sweetness.
- Onion: Adds a savory flavor and helps to round out the dish.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast: This lean protein is the star of the dish, and is perfect for slow cooking as it becomes incredibly tender and flavorful.
- Granulated Sugar Substitute: Provides the sweetness in the sweet and sour sauce, which is essential to the dish's flavor profile.
- Orange Juice: Adds a bright citrus flavor to the dish, and also helps to balance out the sweetness of the sugar.
- Cornstarch: Used as a thickener for the sauce.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides the tanginess in the sweet and sour sauce, and also helps to tenderize the chicken.
- Soy Sauce: Provides a savory umami flavor to the dish, and also adds some saltiness to balance out the sweetness of the sauce.
- Ginger Paste: Adds a warm, spicy flavor to the dish, and is a traditional ingredient in many Asian-inspired dishes.
- Pineapple Tidbits: Chunks of juicy pineapple add a tropical sweetness.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir everything together.
Step 2: Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and tender.
Step 3: Serve the slow cooker sweet and sour chicken over rice or with your favorite side dish.
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast works best for this recipe, as it's lean and cooks up tender and juicy in the slow cooker.
- Cut the chicken into even, bite-sized pieces so that they cook evenly in the slow cooker.
- Using both green and red bell peppers adds color and flavor to the dish. You can also use other types of peppers if you prefer, such as yellow or orange.
- Drain the pineapple tidbits well before adding them to the slow cooker, as excess juice can make the sauce too watery.
- If you find that the sauce is too thin, you can mix a bit more cornstarch with water and add it to the slow cooker. Be sure to stir well to prevent lumps.
Variations
- Vegetarian: Instead of chicken, use firm tofu or a mix of vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, carrots, and bell peppers. You can also use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for the sauce.
- Pineapple-free: If you're not a fan of pineapple, you can omit it from the recipe and still have a delicious sweet and sour chicken.
- Instant Pot: Instead of using a slow cooker, you can use an Instant Pot to make sweet and sour chicken in a fraction of the time. Cook the chicken on the sauté mode, then add the other ingredients and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.
Stovetop Sweet And Sour Chicken
- Chop the green and red bell peppers, as well as the yellow onion. Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces.
- In a bowl, whisk together the sugar substitute (Monk Fruit Sweetener or Swerve Granular), orange juice, cornstarch, apple cider vinegar, reduced-sodium soy sauce, and ginger paste to create the sauce.
- In a large skillet or frying pan, heat a small amount of oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until they are no longer pink in the center, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, add a bit more oil if needed. Add the chopped bell peppers and onion. Sauté them for about 3-4 minutes until they become slightly tender.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Pour the sauce mixture (from step 2) over the chicken and vegetables.
- Add the drained pineapple tidbits to the skillet. Stir everything together to ensure that the ingredients are well coated with the sauce.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 5-7 minutes. This will allow the sauce to thicken and the flavors to come together.
Storing
Storing: If you have leftovers, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop until it's heated through.
Freezing: Store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer bag. To reheat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, fresh pineapple can be used in this recipe. Cut the pineapple into small chunks and add it to the slow cooker along with the other ingredients.
Yes, rice vinegar can be used instead of apple cider vinegar. However, apple cider vinegar adds a slightly sweeter and fruitier flavor to the dish.
More Slow Cooker Recipes You'll Love
Low Calorie Slow Cooker Sweet And Sour Chicken
Special Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large green bell pepper chopped
- 1 large red bell pepper chopped
- ⅓ cup yellow onion chopped
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
- ⅓ cup sugar substitute I use Monk Fruit Sweetener or Swerve Granular
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 20 ounces pineapple tidbits in juice drained
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir everything together.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and tender.
Notes
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast works best for this recipe, as it's lean and cooks up tender and juicy in the slow cooker. If you prefer, you can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Cut the chicken into even, bite-sized pieces so that they cook evenly in the slow cooker.
- Using both green and red bell peppers adds color and flavor to the dish. You can also use other types of peppers if you prefer, such as yellow or orange.
- Drain the pineapple tidbits well before adding them to the slow cooker, as excess juice can make the sauce too watery.
- If you find that the sauce is too thin, you can mix a bit more cornstarch with water and add it to the slow cooker. Be sure to stir well to prevent lumps.
- Storing: If you have leftover sweet and sour chicken, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop until it's heated through.
- Freezing: Sweet and sour chicken can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer bag. To reheat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Natalie
Lovely family dinner option. It looks so flavorful and delicious. Easy to make too. I will definitely make this for my family. Thanks for the idea.
Jenn
I can't get enough of this amazing recipe! My whole family loves the sweet and tangy flavor!
Katherine
Such a great idea to make this in the slow cooker! All those amazing flavors...
veenaazmanov
Love the slow cooker option. Love this recipe and love the dish too. Looks unique and super yum.
Julia
I love sweet and sour chicken but never thought of using slow cooker to make it! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Jacqueline Debono
I love my slow cooker too! Best way to have a delicious dinner on the table without much effort. This sweet and sour chicken sounds really good. On my to make list!
Lou | Crumbs and Corkscrews
My slow cooker is one of my favourite appliances too, especially when it's cold and dark outside and you come home to the smell of something fabulous in the pot! I've never thought of doing sweet and sour in it before, so I'll definitely be adding this to my winter meal planner; it looks great!
Adriana
This recipe is a lovely idea for using the slow cooker. Sweet and sour chicken is such a classic I am glad you are offering an alternative with fewer calories — perfect idea for the big game coming up soon.
Irina
Love your chicken recipe! It is a great, comfort food recipe for every day. It is what we all look for during busy weeks. AMAZING!
kim
Love this recipe! It's so easy and tasty! I'll definitely be making again and again!
Jessica Formicola
I have this in the slow cooker right now and it smells amazing! I can't wait for dinner tonight!
Amanda
I had never made sweet and sour chicken in the slow cooker before, but it was such a great idea! Made for super easy prep and it came out delicious.
Patty at Spoonabilities
This sounds like the perfect meal to come home to after a busy day!