Crockpot Pineapple Brown Sugar Chicken Recipe
This Crockpot Pineapple Brown Sugar Chicken recipe combines tender chicken breasts with a sweet and tangy pineapple sauce, enhanced by a blend of spices and vegetables. Slow-cooked to perfection, it offers a deliciously easy meal full of vibrant flavors and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes, making it perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes (high) or 6 hours 15 minutes (low)
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flake
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables and Fruit
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks, 1 cup juice reserved
Sauce Ingredients
- ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
- 3 tablespoons lite soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Garnish
- Scallions for garnish
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix together the red pepper flake, garlic salt, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper. Rub this spice mixture evenly over the boneless skinless chicken breasts to impart flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for about 3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown color. This step seals in juices and enhances flavor.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Transfer the seared chicken breasts to the bottom of your slow cooker to start layering the ingredients.
- Add Vegetables and Pineapple: Top the chicken with the chopped red bell pepper, chopped red onion, and pineapple chunks, evenly distributing them across the chicken for balanced flavor throughout the dish.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the reserved 1 cup of pineapple juice from the canned chunks, brown sugar, lite soy sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, and cornstarch until smooth. This mixture will become the flavorful sauce as it cooks.
- Pour Sauce and Cook: Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours. This slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld and the chicken to become tender.
- Garnish and Serve: Once cooked, garnish the dish with freshly chopped scallions for a fresh, vibrant finish. Serve hot and enjoy your flavorful crockpot pineapple brown sugar chicken!
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes according to your heat preference.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier texture.
- Serve with steamed rice or quinoa to soak up the delicious sauce.
- If sauce is too thin after cooking, remove chicken and vegetables, then simmer sauce on stovetop until thickened.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently.
