This Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken with Vegetables is the perfect easy weeknight dinner when you want something comforting, saucy, and full of flavor without spending hours in the kitchen. The chicken becomes incredibly tender as it cooks low and slow, soaking up a sweet, mildly spicy chili sauce made with garlic, ginger, and soy. Once shredded, it’s mixed with colorful vegetables and juicy pineapple to create a meal that tastes fresh, cozy, and satisfying all at once. Served over rice or noodles, this crockpot sweet chili chicken is a family-friendly dish that delivers restaurant-style flavor with almost no effort.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Perfect hands-off dinner: Everything cooks in the crockpot, so you get bold sweet-spicy flavor with almost no effort.
• Balanced sweet heat: Sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and pineapple create a rich sauce that’s sweet, savory, tangy, and mildly spicy.
• Juicy, tender chicken every time: Slow cooking makes the chicken soft enough to shred effortlessly, soaking up all the saucy flavor.
• Veggie-loaded but still comforting: Carrots, peppers, onions, and pineapple add freshness and color while keeping the dish light and satisfying.
• Great for meal prep: Keeps well, reheats beautifully, and tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.
• Super versatile: Serve it over lo mein, rice, cauliflower rice, quinoa, noodles, or in wraps and bowls.
Ingredients
• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup sweet Thai chili sauce
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
• 2 carrots, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional garnishes: sesame seeds, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro
Recommended Tools
These tools make slow cooker recipes easier and help everything cook evenly.
6-Quart Crockpot – the perfect size for chicken, soups, roasts, and family meals.
Slow Cooker Liners – prevent sticking and make cleaning super easy.
Silicone Spoon Set – great for stirring without scratching the pot.
Measuring Cups & Spoons – helps you measure spices and liquids accurately.
Glass Storage Containers – perfect for storing leftovers safely.
Preparation Steps
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
• Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper.
• Arrange the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker in a single, even layer.
Step 2: Mix the Sweet Chili Sauce
• In a small bowl, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, minced garlic, and grated ginger until smooth.
• Pour the sweet chili mixture evenly over the chicken, coating all sides.
Step 3: Slow Cook the Chicken
• Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours, or until the chicken becomes tender enough to shred easily.
• Once cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place on a clean work surface. Allow it to cool slightly.
Step 4: Shred the Chicken
• Shred chicken using two forks until it breaks into tender pieces.
• Alternatively, slice or dice the chicken with a sharp knife.
• Return the shredded or chopped chicken to the slow cooker along with any juices from the cutting board.
Step 5: Add Vegetables & Pineapple
• Add the sliced onions, bell peppers, pineapple chunks, and carrots to the slow cooker.
• Stir well to combine everything with the sweet chili sauce.
Step 6: Cook Until Vegetables Are Tender
• Cover and cook on HIGH for 15–20 minutes, or until the vegetables soften and the flavors blend thoroughly.
• Taste the sauce and adjust, add more chili sauce for sweetness, soy sauce for saltiness, or ginger for extra warmth.
Step 7: Serve
• Garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, and cilantro.
• Serve immediately over lo mein noodles, jasmine rice, or cauliflower rice.
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Cooking Notes
• Cooking too long on HIGH can dry out the chicken, LOW is best for tenderness.
• Pineapple naturally helps tenderize the chicken and adds sweetness.
• Stir before serving to ensure vegetables and chicken are evenly sauced.
• If sauce is too thin, add a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water).
Variations
• Add broccoli, snap peas, or zucchini during the final 20 minutes
• Use chicken thighs for extra tenderness
• Replace pineapple with mango for a tropical twist
• Add chili flakes or sriracha for more heat
• Swap soy sauce for coconut aminos to make it gluten-free
Serving Suggestions
• Serve over rice or lo mein noodles
• Spoon into lettuce wraps for a lighter meal
• Add to rice bowls with cucumber and cilantro
• Use leftovers in tacos with cabbage slaw
• Serve with steamed broccoli or roasted vegetables
Tips
• Slice vegetables evenly so they cook at the same time
• Taste the sauce before serving, adjust sweetness or soy as needed
• Use garlic paste and ginger paste for faster prep
• Store in an airtight container up to 4 days
• Freezes well for up to 3 months
Prep Time / Cooking Time / Total Time
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 6–8 hours
• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Nutritional Info (Per Serving)
Approx. 350 calories – 32g protein – 6g fat – 38g carbs
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
- Yes, but frozen chicken releases more liquid as it cooks. The sauce will be thinner, so you may want to thicken it at the end with a cornstarch slurry. Also, increase cooking time by about 1 hour.
Can I add the vegetables at the beginning instead?
- You can, but they will become very soft. Adding them in the last 20 minutes keeps them crisp-tender and brighter in flavor.
Is sweet Thai chili sauce very spicy?
- No, it’s mild. It has a balanced sweetness with a gentle kick. If you want more heat, add sriracha or chili flakes.
Can I use this recipe for meal prep?
- Absolutely. It reheats beautifully and stays flavorful for several days. Store it with rice or noodles for quick meals.
What if I don’t like pineapple?
- You can replace pineapple with mango, peaches, or simply leave it out. The recipe still works and remains delicious.
Conclusion
This Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken with Vegetables is the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and mildly spicy flavor. The chicken becomes tender enough to shred effortlessly, and the vegetables add color, freshness, and crunch. With simple prep and big flavor, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd. Serve it over rice or noodles and enjoy a warm, comforting, saucy meal everyone will love.
