Crockpot Pineapple Brown Sugar Chicken

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## Crockpot Pineapple Brown Sugar Chicken

Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 4–6 hours | Servings: 4–6

### Ingredients

  • Chicken: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.

  • Pineapple: 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks (reserve the juice).

  • Sugar: 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar.

  • Acid: 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar.

  • Savory: 3 tbsp soy sauce.

  • Aromatics: 1 tsp garlic powder and 1/2 tsp ground ginger.

  • Thickener: 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water (slurry).

### Instructions

  1. Layer: Place the chicken in the bottom of your slow cooker.

  2. Mix: In a medium bowl, whisk together the reserved pineapple juice, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and ginger.

  3. Pour: Pour the sauce over the chicken and top with the pineapple chunks.

  4. Cook: Cover and cook on Low for 5–6 hours or High for 3–4 hours.

  5. Thicken: 30 minutes before serving, remove the chicken and shred or cut into chunks. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the liquid in the crockpot. Return the chicken to the pot, stir, and cook on High for the remaining 30 minutes until the sauce bubbles and thickens.

### Recipe Notes & Tips

  • The Sizzle: For extra depth, sear the chicken in a skillet for 2 minutes per side before putting it in the crockpot.

  • Veggie Boost: Add sliced bell peppers or snap peas during the last hour of cooking for color and crunch.

  • Heat: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want a “sweet and spicy” profile.

### Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 310 kcal

  • Protein: 32g

  • Carbohydrates: 38g

  • Fat: 3.5g

  • Sugar: 32g

  • Sodium: 640mg

### Benefits of This Dish

  • Digestive Enzymes: Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps break down protein, making the chicken incredibly tender and aiding digestion.

  • High Protein: Lean chicken provides a solid foundation for muscle repair and satiety.

  • Anti-Inflammatory: The inclusion of ginger offers mild anti-inflammatory benefits and helps settle the stomach.

### Q&A

Q: Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned? A: Yes! However, you will need to add about 1/2 cup of pineapple juice or orange juice to the sauce since you won’t have the “canned” juice to work with.

Q: Why is my sauce too thin? A: Slow cookers trap steam, which can dilute sauces. Ensure you don’t skip the cornstarch slurry step at the end, and keep the lid off for the final 15 minutes of thickening if needed.

Q: Can I use frozen chicken? A: It is safer to thaw chicken first to ensure it reaches a food-safe temperature quickly enough in the slow cooker. If you use frozen, increase the cook time by 1–2 hours.

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