No need to order takeout with this Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken. Perfectly tart and sweet all at the same time, this easy, one-pot dinner recipe is sure to be a family favorite!
I don’t know why, but I find myself reaching for my slow cooker in the winter far more often than I ever do in the summer. I think it’s because I’ve associated slow cookers with stews and soups, which naturally I eat more of in the winter, but it also makes total sense to want to use your slow cooker equally as often in the summer.
I live in a 700 sq/ft apartment, which means if I turn the oven on in the summer, my entire apartment becomes a sauna. Which then results in us cranking the A/C followed by an electric bill that would give the average person a heart-attack.
I can just can’t win.
Well actually, I can. It’s called the slow cooker and it’s solved all of my temperature control problems.
So I’ve teamed up with my blogging ladies to bring you 5 Summer Slow Cooker Recipes so turning on your oven is a thing of the past!
Caribbean flavors come together in this delicious slow cooker pulled chicken that’s topped with a simple fresh mango salsa. Make it a light, yet hearty meal by piling this flavorful chicken into your lettuce wraps, top with your favorite add-ons, and devouring!
Get the recipe –> HERE
Load your summer farmers market haul into the slow cooker for a delicious ratatouille that you can use in a variety of ways. Serve as a side, over pasta or bread, with a grilled protein or even in an omelet.
Get the recipe –> HERE
This slow cooker frittata is bursting with grated zucchini, sun dried tomatoes, basil and prosciutto then topped with a simple arugula salad. Great for a summer breakfast or dinner!
Get the recipe –> HERE
This whole30 approved slow cooker mango chicken has a sweet mango coconut sauce and sweet potatoes! It’s a healthy, one pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights!
Get the recipe –> HERE
This recipe for Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken kind of blew my mind.
Here’s the truth: Chinese food is my least favorite food. Don’t get mad at me for saying that, but when it comes to flavors, it’s just not my first choice. With the exception of sweet and sour chicken.
I love the combo of sweet and tangy. I mean let’s be real, anytime I can combine sweet with savoury I am all in.
I also love that this is a complete meal in one. With broccoli, bell peppers, onions and chicken, all you need is a side of rice to complete the dish. And just so you know, this was a TOTAL hit in our 700 sq/ft apartment.
One thing to note, this technically isn’t in a one pot dish. I know, I know, we all hate more dishes but the truth is that for the best results when it comes to chicken in the slow cooker, you need to brown it first.
I’m gonna guess that a decent chunk of you will ignore me on this, but the texture is so much better when you sear it. It holds together better and cooks perfectly. Just trust me on this one.
In the great words of Fit Foodie Finds, “Just set it and forget it!” because this slow cooker sweet and sour chicken is coming right up!
PrintSlow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken

- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup tapioca flour (or regular flour if not gluten-free)
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 6 oz can tomato paste
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp coconut palm sugar (or brown sugar)
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos (or gluten-free tamari or soy sauce)
- 2 tbsp freshly grated ginger
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
- 1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple, diced
Instructions
- Add 1 egg to a bowl and whip.
- In a separate bowl add tapioca flour.
- Dip chicken into bowl with egg and then into bowl with tapioca flour until all pieces are combined.
- Add coconut oil to a large pan on medium-high heat.
- Saute chicken on each side for 1 minute to brown. Set aside.
- In slow cooker combine tomato paste, water, apple cider vinegar, palm sugar, coconut aminos and ginger.
- Add in onion, pepper, broccoli, and pineapple.
- Top with chicken.
- Stir until all ingredients are coated with sauce.
- Set on high for 2.5 hours or low for 4.5 hours. Adjust time depending on your slow cooker (time will vary depending on model).
- Serve over a bed of rice or cauliflower rice.
Do you use your slow cooker more in the winter or summer? What’s your least favorite type of food?
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12 Comments
Marina @ A Dancer's Live-It
June 17, 2016 at 7:52 amLove this recipe Davida!! I’m all about that sweet and sour life, and this version is definitely better than takeout. My least favorite type of food is eggplant and kalamata olives. Yuck, can’t do it!
Marina @ A Dancer’s Live-It recently posted…Friday: Top 3’s
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
June 17, 2016 at 1:35 pmooooooh I love eggplant and olives! It’s funny how different people’s tastebuds can be!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
June 17, 2016 at 9:10 amSweet and sour chicken is one of my favorite things EVER! I can’t wait to get my face on this – pinned!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness recently posted…Slow Cooker Mango Chicken and Sweet Potato Bowls
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
June 17, 2016 at 1:34 pmAnd same for your recipe! Man I could seriously go for one of those bowls!
Cassie
June 17, 2016 at 6:54 pmIt really depends for me and Chinese food! Anything with a slightly fruity and sweet glaze but is also spicy and pungent definitely captures my heart. My favorites are generally Buddha’s feasts with a peanut sauce or sweet chili sauce! Tofu is amazing in stir-fries as well!
Cassie recently posted…NYC Recap 2: Chelsea Market is a Foodie’s Dream
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
June 20, 2016 at 9:23 amthose both sound delicious! I love anything with peanut sauce!
Laura
June 18, 2016 at 8:32 amThat looks fabulous! Definitely one to try! I love sweet & sour but rarely make it.
I think I use my slow cooker about equally through the year. Winter is good for warming dishes, but in summer I’ll use it to cook meat that we can shred for sandwiches and salads. And it gets used all year through for making porridge. When I get into a porridge mood, I love to make a big batch in the slow cooker so I can just reheat some every day.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
June 20, 2016 at 9:23 amSuch a great call! I do love making oatmeal in the slow cooker. Especially steel-cut because those take forever on the stovetop and are totally hands-off in the slow cooker!
Lee
June 29, 2016 at 4:36 pmI swear whenever I put vegetables in my slow cooker they turn out looking like dog food and yet yours comes out like MAGIC.
Lee recently posted…Ways to Stay Active in the Summer with Lorissa’s Kitchen
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
June 30, 2016 at 3:33 pmMy slow cooker is a WIZARD.
Maggie
March 30, 2018 at 11:51 pmIs this 16 oz can of tomato paste or one 6 oz can?
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
April 2, 2018 at 11:19 am6 oz!