Description
A flavorful and easy Slow Cooker Tropical Chicken recipe combining tender chicken thighs with sweet pineapple, apricot preserves, and vibrant bell peppers. Perfectly cooked in a crockpot, this dish offers a delicious tropical twist that’s ideal for a comforting family dinner served over rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 2-3 lbs. Chicken Thighs (boneless, skinless)
- 1-2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- ½ Medium Yellow Onion, sliced
- 1 20oz Can Pineapple Chunks, drained
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, roughly chopped
Sauce
- 1 Cup Apricot Preserves
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Teriyaki Sauce
- 1 Tsp Freshly Grated Lemon Zest
Thickening & Serving
- ¼ Cup Cold Water
- 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
- Rice (for serving)
Instructions
- Brown Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs and brown on each side for 2-3 minutes to develop flavor and seal in juices.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Place the browned chicken in a 5-quart crockpot. Top the chicken with sliced onions, drained pineapple chunks, and chopped red bell pepper.
- Prepare Sauce Mixture: In a small bowl, mix apricot preserves, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, and freshly grated lemon zest until well combined.
- Add Sauce to Crockpot: Spoon the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken and vegetables in the crockpot.
- Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 4-6 hours, until the chicken is tender and flavors meld together.
- Thicken Sauce: About 30 minutes before serving, remove the chicken from the crockpot. In a small bowl, whisk cold water and cornstarch together to create a smooth slurry, then stir it into the crockpot liquid.
- Finish Cooking: Return the chicken to the crockpot, cover, and continue cooking on high for 30 minutes, or until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Serve: Spoon the tropical chicken hot over cooked rice. Enjoy your flavorful, easy slow cooker meal!
Notes
- For best results, brown the chicken thighs before slow cooking to enhance flavor and texture.
- You can substitute chicken breasts if preferred, but adjust cooking time to ensure they remain tender.
- Use fresh lemon zest for a bright, citrusy note; avoid lemon juice as it may curdle the sauce during cooking.
- If you prefer a thinner sauce, reduce the cornstarch or omit the thickening step.
- Serve with steamed jasmine or basmati rice to complement the tropical flavors perfectly.