Toss only three ingredients into your slow cooker for this easy slow cooker sweet and sour chicken recipe. Serve over rice or your favorite steamed vegetables.
So next month, we are doing our biannual trip to Wrightsville Beach with Ben's side of the family. When I say biannual, I mean every two years. (Some may use the word biannual as meaning twice a year. I honestly don't know which one is correct. ha!) This is only the second time we've gone. But, we're expecting it to be an every two-year thing as long as Ben's brother is still with his same company who owns the beach condo, and allows us to stay for free. Yep, yep!
My sister-in-law, who is married to Ben's brother, is a runner. She's crazy and runs like 8 miles at a time, and has done a couple of half marathons. She's encouraged me to run a 5K with her while we're at the beach, and wear fun matching outfits. It's in Wilmington, and for ladies only.
So this 5K is going to be MUCH different. I'm actually going to try to RUN the whole time. Well, jog, anyway. I started running (jogging) last week to work myself up to the 3+ miles. I'm running on MWF in the early mornings before Ben heads to work. It's the only time that I can and will do it. I'm not an afternoon work-out person because I do not want to take multiple showers, nor do I have time for that!!
Got any good tips for prepping for a 5K? (And, don't laugh! I know it's not that far... but it's far for ME!) 🙂
On another note, the other day I noticed this new frozen chicken at the grocery store. It's already diced! When I saw it, I grabbed it and immediately knew that I wanted to test it out in my slow cooker the same way that I make cocktail meatballs.
This makes a great fake-out sweet and sour chicken served over rice. Super easy to combine only three ingredients into a slow cooker and let it cook a few hours. I love that the chicken is already diced and I don't have to mess with cutting it myself! There is literally no mess involved!
Your kids can even put this one together! 🙂
Easy 3-Ingredient Sweet & Sour Chicken [Slow Cooker Recipe] + 5K Ramblings
Ingredients
- 1 frozen bag (22 oz.) Tyson Grilled & Ready Oven Roasted Diced Chicken Breast
- 1 jar (12 oz.) chili sauce
- 1 jar (18 oz.) Apricot Pineapple Preserves (or just Apricot preserves)
- 2 cups cooked rice or steamed vegetables , or both
Instructions
- Place the frozen chicken into the bowl of a slow cooker. In a separate bowl, mix together the chili sauce and preserves. Pour over the chicken and toss to coat chicken. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours. Serve hot over cooked rice or vegetables, or both.
Notes
Nutrition
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Janine says
Can you make this with pork instead of chicken? And if so, what is the cooking time difference? Thank you so much 🙂
Nikki Gladd says
I have not tested this recipe with pork, so I can't answer for sure.
Becca Niederkrom says
Made this recipe this week and my kids gobbled it up, thank you!
Nikki Gladd says
Thanks for the nice review, Becca! Glad your kids loved it!
Maisie Jones says
Do you have to use pineapples? My kids do not like them.
Nikki Gladd says
No, you do not have to use pineapples. Just use apricot preserves without pineapples. 🙂
Joseph says
Hah! I'm more of a biker than a runner and even then it's been awhile since I've been on a bike. But since I tend to be shorter than the average guy (I'm around 5 foot and 6 or 7 inches whereas I think most guys are taller than that) with a very stocky build and I definitely do NOT have runner's legs. I have short but powerfully muscled legs (good for delivering a power kick if necessary LOL) and if I tried to take up running it would be like watching Gimli trying to run cross-country with Legolas and Aragorn LOL!
Nikki Gladd says
haha! Thanks for the laugh, Joseph! Funny enough, I wrote this post 5 years ago and became quite the runner -- even completing a half marathon 3 years ago! It's been a while since I've ran regularly but hoping to pick it up again soon! 🙂
Joseph says
Nice! The powerfully muscled build of my legs and thighs comes from probably schlepping around my previously 40 - 50 lbs. heavier gut (which has shrunk some since starting work a couple years ago at Whole Foods as a cashier assistant where one of my jobs is to gather the carts....which I do....without using the machine they were providing as I knew I needed exercise and gathering a load of carts by hand is surely good exercise). And that's where most of the muscle in my legs and thighs comes from now....using my leg muscles to schlep carts. So between the exercise and my decision to cut back on added sugars and deep fried foods is probably what helped me lose that 40 lbs and hopefully putting the brakes on the diabetes and heart disease I was flirting with. And if you're ever planning on doing some running in my area (Buffalo, NY area) and all the running has made you sore you can come see me as I'm a NYS licensed massage therapist (and hope your hubby isn't the jealous type LOL :-P).
But yeah the kind of short stocky legs I have were definitely not made for distance-running...some sprinting maybe but distance running would probably kill me LOL!
Nikki Gladd says
Good for you in taking control of your health!
Daniel Bulger says
Love this in the slow cooker! Would it work in the instant pot? Or do you think you would need to add more liquid?
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Daniel,
Funny enough, I have never used an instant pot or any sort of pressure cooker. Maybe another reader who has experience with instant pot can chime in!
Nina Veenstra says
Would Orange Marmalade be an acceptable substitution since I don't care for apricot?
Nikki Gladd says
Yes! That should work just fine.
Yaro says
Biannual would be every two years. Twice a year would be "semiannual."
Tracy A Oliver says
Sounds delicious, but I don't have a slow cooker. Can this be made on the stovetop in large pot? Thanks
Rachel says
I made this today. I couldn't find apricot pineapple preserve so, I did 18 oz apricot preserve and an 8 oz crushed pineapple. I also added two small bags of frozen mixed veggies (broccoli, carrots, snap peas, and water chestnuts) during the last hour of cooking. Served it over rice. It was delicious!!
Nikki Gladd says
Wonderful, Rachel! Thank you for sharing your experience and tips! I'll have to try adding the veggies. 🙂
D says
Thanks for the quick and easy meal plan. I made a couple of additions: I diced a red pepper and added 1 large can of drained pineapple tidbits (or could do crushed). I also don't like pre cooked chicken, so I did raw chicken and it cooked up great in about 3 hours on high (though low might have made it a little more moist). I used some of the pineapple juice and dissolved some cornstarch to thicken the sauce. Overall, the kids and hubs loved it! I love getting new dishes, especially since my husband loves Chinese.
David R says
once a year is annual..twice a year is biannual....once every two years in biennial..sorry, ex journalist and English teacher here 🙂 I am going try this recipe as is...looks fab!
Nikki Gladd says
haha! Thanks!
Glenda Myers says
I'm not sure what size can of pineapple to use. One person said 14-15 oz. can. They come in 8 of 20 oz. Do you drain or don't drain. One person says one thing and someone else says the opposite. Want to make this today, but am confused. Please help. Thanks in advance.
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Glenda,
If you are using apricot preserves and a can of crushed pineapple, use the 8 oz. sized pineapple. (No need to drain unless you want to)
Beth says
My question is if you use frozen uncooked chicken, how long would you need to cook it in the sauce? would it be a 6 to 8 hour time frame or could you make bring sauce to a boil in the crock pot then add the chicken? I love the easiness of this recipe but would like to use uncooked chicken. Thank you!
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Beth,
Yes, I would do the 6-8 hour cooking time when using frozen uncooked chicken. Combine all ingredients at the same time, no need to bring sauce to a boil first.
Katy says
In the same vein of question...2 hours is too long after I get home from work. Something on low all day would be easier. If I did 6-8 hrs on low, should I not use the Tyson chicken? Instead use uncooked chicken? Thanks!
Kaylen says
Do I drain the can of crushed pineapple?
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Kaylen,
You do not need to drain it.
Thanks!
Lisa says
I made this as the instruction said but it's too spicy I know next time to do less on the chili just wondering if there's anything I can add to it now to make it less spicy I have a whole crock pot I hate to throw it all out
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Lisa,
I'm sorry this was too spicy for you. My kids and I don't tolerate much spice, and this isn't spicy at all for us, so I'm surprised to hear it is spicy. At this point, I do not have any tips on what to add to your current crock pot to make it less spicy. Sorry!
Anonymous says
Add some vinegar? I've heard vinegar cancels out spiciness. Separate some out in a bowl and experiment. Don't use to much, just add to taste until you get it right to better judge. Hope it works!
Joseph says
Well since I think the "chili sauce" mentioned might be something like Heinz chili sauce, it's just basically a spicier version of ketchup with maybe a couple other spices thrown in. I'm thinking what you could do is get a 6 ounce can of tomato paste, put it into a bowl along with some Thai chili-garlic sauce (as much as you think you can tolerate...with Thai chili-garlic sauce a little goes a long way) and then thin out with enough water to the approximate consistency of ketchup and you'd have a very basic chili sauce that should be enough for this recipe, with the added benefit of it not being nearly as sugary as store-bought ketchup or chili sauce.
Marsha says
This site is a real work out to get the entire recipe, not a plus!
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Marsha,
Can you explain further please? The full recipe should be easy to obtain within the post, so if you are having problems, please do email me with more details so I can try to help. Thanks! ([email protected])
Anonymous says
Amen to the workout comment
Kat says
Quick, easy and delicious, thanks for posting. I used uncooked chicken breast, sugar free apricot preserves and added some leftover pineapple in juice (and the chile sauce of course). I added some corn starch because the juice made it thinner than I wanted.
Nikki Gladd says
Awesome, Kat! Thanks for the additional tips/ideas! 🙂
venecia Rodriguez says
Hi Kat, did you also cook it for two hours? I asked you since you used uncooked chicken breast.
Thanks, I really want to make it.
Pat Wolfe says
Thank you for this easy recipe. I will try it soon.
Laurie Chun says
1. is there a way to make the chili sauce for this recipe cause a bottle of chili sauce i've never noticed such an item. this is an interesting recipe i was expecting to see vinegar or lemon and sugar but aóle (no or not)
2. i was wondering if the chili sauce gave it a little hot spice to it? cause my husband and i don't like spicey in sweet and sour.
also FYI you can find the apricot pineapple jam or preserves in any hawn store in the mainland like marukai, not cheap but they are starting to pop up in mainland stores now, sorry i forget which ones.
pls reply about the chili sauce.
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Laurie, Here is a good homemade recipe for chili sauce:
1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 Tbs. brown sugar
1 Tbs. vinegar
1 dash cloves
1 minced garlic clove
1 Tbs. chili powder
Just mix these ingredients together in the crockpot.
Donna Berezowski says
Do you have any alternative for the chili sauce? Do you think I could use regular Heinz ketchup instead?
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Donna,
You can give it a try, but it will definitely be a different taste! I haven't tried any alternatives to the chili sauce, so can't give you a sure answer.
nctruckdriver says
just a heads up: as you run out of I-40 onto college road. there is a Costco(right onto ringo then left) and a sams club on right about 4 lights(about 2 miles) down from end of I-40. this truck driver loves Wilmington, nc
DMat says
Dying to make this, but going to use fresh, cubed chicken. Do you still add preserves at the beginning or later, after the chicken has cooked for several hours??
Nikki Gladd says
Add at the beginning. 🙂 Also, it probably won't need to cook as long since it's not frozen.
Tracey says
Thanks for asking this question as that frozen chicken is no available here. So glad I can use fresh chicken.
wiffey says
Ew... but REAL sweet and sour chicken is SO darn easy!! this just sounds.. wrong
Anonymous says
You said if cannt find apricot pineapple preserve you can use crushed pineapple.. Do you use the apricot preserve an crushed pineapple or just the crushed pineapple?
Nikki Gladd says
Hi! Use both the apricot preserves and crushed pineapple. I'll re-write the note to make it more clear. Thanks!
Joseph says
I think this is similar to a recipe I saw that took an 18-oz. jar of orange marmalade. I wonder how good it would taste using strawberry preserves instead because I found a recipe for making a really easy no-sugar-added raw strawberry jam in the blender with fresh strawberries, chia seeds, a little lemon juice to preserve color and stevia (or other sweetener) to taste :)....the chia seeds serve as the thickener 😀
Joseph says
I think I need my eyes checked because I just saw your note at the bottom of the recipe about what to do if you can't find apricot preserves LOL (or in my case don't want to use them because of the alarmingly high sugar content in storebought preserves and the sugar-free apricot preserves are only 12-oz.)
Adding a can of crushed pineapple sounds like a much better and healthier idea. What size can of crushed pineapple would I get? Same size (or as close to it as I can manage) as the jar of apricot preserves?
Kim H says
Make sure you drain the can of Pineapple. I use a 14-15 ounce can. How was the sugar free Apricot preserves?
Joseph says
Sorry...it's been awhile since I've been back here evidently LOL!
Anyhow like I said they're good but being only a 12-oz. jar it might not be enough for this recipe (and I'd rather not have to open a second jar to get 6 more ounces). I did however once make a simple Asian-style ground beef dish in a skillet on the stovetop with ground beef, sugar-free orange marmalade, and a little Thai chili garlic sauce. 🙂
Patrick says
Don't know about prepping for a 5K but I do know that my slow cooker is definitely one of the handiest tools I own!
Joseph says
I know right? I love the slow-cooker. It's my favorite cooking tool. Just dump in the ingredients, cover, turn on, and make sure it's plugged in and when you get back from work you have a nice hot meal waiting.
Marsha says
Wonder about cooking time on this chicken recipe if the cooker is,set on low???
Also are we using Slow cooker or a Crocker pot, there is a difference
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Marsha,
I haven't tested cooking this on low, but if I were to do it I would try 4-6 hours. In my experience, slow cooker and crockpot are one in the same. "Crock Pot" is a brand name of a slow cooker. Thanks!
Carel says
Rachel, I started running last year at the age of (60). I'm not consistent with my routine.
I have run/walked 2 5k with my daughter. I will be doing another in May. I also have the couch to 5K app. on my phone. With my inconsistent routine I have been using runkeeper instead, It is a great program.
Enjoy your run.
Erica says
Not a criticism , but a teachable moment. The Webster dictionary lists the word as biennial and defined as taking place once in two years. It is also used to describe plant life for a plant that lives only two years or produces only every other year.
Nikki Gladd says
haha! Thanks, Erica. I know many use "biannual" as either twice a year or once every two years. Before writing this post, I even tried to look it up and find the right word.. coming up with this example (#2) https://dictionary.reference.com/browse/biannual. Oh well! 🙂
Rachael says
I ran my first 5K in November, and I used the Couch-to-5K app. I absolutely love it and recommend it!
Nikki Gladd says
Thanks, Rachael! I'll have to check it out!
lisa says
Couch to 5K is THE way to go: https://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
I started with this 4.5 years ago and I am still running today : ). You can do it!!!
Nikki Gladd says
Thank you, Lisa! I hope I will still be running in 4 1/5 years, too!!