Description
Juicy chicken, sweet pineapple, and colorful bell peppers simmer together in a tangy, sticky-sweet sauce that’s as comforting as it is exciting. This dump-and-go crockpot meal is a tropical twist on easy weeknight comfort food.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds), cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1 can (20 oz.) pineapple chunks in juice, drained (reserve juice)
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium sweet onion, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- ¾ cup pineapple juice (from the can)
- ½ cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
- Cooked rice, for serving
- Sliced green onions and sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Drain pineapple chunks and reserve about ¾ cup of the juice. If you have less, add water or chicken broth to reach the amount.
2. Spray the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray for easier cleanup. Add chicken, bell peppers, onion, and drained pineapple chunks.
3. In a bowl, whisk pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger until smooth. Pour over chicken and vegetables, then stir to coat.
4. Cover and cook on Low for 4 hours or High for 3 hours, until chicken is tender and fully cooked.
5. About 30 minutes before serving, whisk together cornstarch and water to form a slurry. Turn crockpot to High, stir in slurry, cover, and cook another 20–30 minutes to thicken.
6. Taste the sauce and season with salt or pepper if needed.
7. Serve over fluffy rice, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for a juicier option.
Add red pepper flakes or sriracha if you like heat.
Freeze uncooked ingredients in a bag for a dump-and-go freezer meal.
Swap ketchup for teriyaki sauce for an Asian twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Hawaiian-Inspired, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cups
- Calories: 542 kcal
- Sugar: 51 g
- Fat: 6 g
- Carbohydrates: 69 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 53 g