This post first appeared over at Real Housemoms where I am a contributor. No need to order take-out with this scrumptious sweet and spicy SLOW COOKER THAI SWEET CHILI CHICKEN! It’s got the classic Chinese food breading but without all the grease of frying!
I have many memories of eating Chinese food from getting take-out, delivery, eat at buffets and family-owned restaurants, Panda Express in the mall food court, PF Chang’s (where I met my mother-in-law for the first time!)… Let’s just say, I have had my fair share of fortunes. Whenever I eat Chinese food it’s like all sense of portion control goes out the window. Anyone else have that problem? Maybe it’s because I’m eating at a buffet and I want to get my money’s worth or just because it’s just too dang good to call it quits. Especially with this Thai Sweet Chili Chicken!
Unfortunately, my favorite Chinese dishes happen to be the worst for you because they’re fried. I’m all for eating a little fried food every once in a while but if I ate it as much as I wanted it I’d have a heart attack before I’m 30! So what’s a girl with a big appetite for Chinese food to do? Whip out the Crock-Pot! Seriously, that thing works magic!
To still get that yummy breading on your chicken without deep frying it, all you have to do is coat it in a little cornstarch and brown it in 1 tablespoon oil. Then just toss it in the slow cooker with the sauce, let it cook on low for a few hours and voilà! It’s amazing. AND it’s a lot easier than frying (don’t have to worry about oil temp, your house smelling of fried food, thousands of calories…).
Not only is the chicken awesome in this Slow Cooker Thai Sweet Chili Chicken, but the peppers, onion, and pineapple add more flavor and texture while also helping to make this a complete meal. Oh, and let’s not ignore pretty much my favorite Asian sauce- Thai Red Sweet Chili Sauce. Deliciously sweet with a little bit of heat for a nice kick. Your whole family is going to LOVE this dish!!! Serve it over white rice or throw together some yummy Vegetable Fried Rice to have on the side.
Thai Sweet Chili Chicken
Thai Sweet Chili Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds bone-less skin-less chicken breast, cut into chunks
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/4 sweet onion, chopped
- 2/3 cup Thai Red Sweet Chili Sauce
- 2 cup pineapple, about 1/2 pineapple, chopped
- 2 red bell peppers, chopped
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Place meat and cornstarch in a ziplock bag and shake until chicken is evenly coated.
- Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and brown on all sides, about 2-3 minutes.
- Spray the bottom of slow-cooker with cooking spray and then place chicken, onion, and sauce in. Stir until all the chicken is coated in sauce. Cook on low for 1 1/2 hours and then throw in the pineapple and bell peppers and cook for another 1 1/2 hours until peppers are tender.
- Add the green onions and serve over rice.
Hi Melanie,
This recipe looks great, but where do I find Thai Red Sweet chili sauce? Thanks, Jennie
You can find it in the international section of your grocery store by all the Asian food.