Crockpot Pineapple Brown Sugar Chicken Recipe
This Crockpot Pineapple Brown Sugar Chicken recipe offers a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors, perfect for an easy and flavorful meal. Tender chicken breasts are slow-cooked with pineapple chunks, brown sugar, and a blend of spices to create a juicy, caramelized dish that’s great for busy weeknights or casual dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours on low or 4 hours on high
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes (low) or 4 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow cooking, Searing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red onion, chopped
Sauce
- 1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks, with 1 cup juice reserved
- ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
- 3 tablespoons lite soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Garnish
- Scallions, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a small bowl, mix the red pepper flakes, garlic salt, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper. Rub this seasoning blend evenly over all sides of the chicken breasts.
- Sear the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and sear for about 3 minutes on each side, just enough to develop a golden-brown color without cooking through.
- Prepare the slow cooker: Place the seared chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker. Layer the chopped red bell pepper, chopped red onion, and pineapple chunks on top.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the reserved 1 cup of pineapple juice, brown sugar, lite soy sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, and cornstarch until smooth and well combined.
- Add the sauce and cook: Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the ingredients in the slow cooker. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Garnish and serve: Once done, garnish the dish with freshly chopped scallions for a burst of color and freshness. Serve the chicken with your choice of rice or vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a spicier version, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne pepper.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, stir in an additional tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with water during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- This recipe works well with chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat; adjust cooking time as needed.
- Can be served over white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- Make sure to sear the chicken before slow cooking to enhance flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce and vegetables
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: slow cooker chicken recipe, pineapple chicken, brown sugar chicken, easy crockpot recipes, sweet and savory chicken
