Easy Slow Cooker Recipes - Taming Twins https://www.tamingtwins.com/category/collections/slow-cooker/ Recipes and Meal Planning for Busy Families Mon, 26 May 2025 13:40:22 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 Red Lentil Dahl {Slow Cooker Fakeaways} https://www.tamingtwins.com/slow-cooker-dahl/ https://www.tamingtwins.com/slow-cooker-dahl/#comments Wed, 12 Oct 2022 09:30:00 +0000 https://www.tamingtwins.com/?p=16854

If you’re looking for a delicious vegetarian family meal for this week’s fakeaway, this simple Slow Cooker Dahl is bursting…

The post Red Lentil Dahl {Slow Cooker Fakeaways} appeared first on Taming Twins.

]]>

If you’re looking for a delicious vegetarian family meal for this week’s fakeaway, this simple Slow Cooker Dahl is bursting with flavour.

With a base of lentils and butternut squash, it is nutritious AND affordable.

Not only does this tick the boxes for ‘healthy’ and ‘flavour’, this recipe helps us to reduce our meat intake and keep costs satisfyingly low for this slow cooker fakeaway.

A Slow Cooker Dahl just feels good while you’re eating it, and, like always, the hard work is done hours in advance with these slow cooker recipes! 

If you’re in a meat-eating household, this is a perfect recipe if you have vegetarian guests coming round or you simply want a break from chicken, beef or lamb curries for a change.

It’s also an ideal dish to make as part of a larger feast – perhaps a curry night or a hot buffet.

You could also serve this alongside my speedy Palak Paneer curry. Another good veggie curry option in the slow cooker is my Chickpea Curry (AKA Chana Saag).

Why you’ll love this Slow Cooker Dahl recipe

⭐ Simple store-cupboard ingredients

⭐ Spices are aromatic and satisfying

⭐ Delicious results with little effort

A finished Slow Cooker Dahl recipe topped with paneer and coriander.

About Red Lentil Dahl

Dahl (or ‘dal) is very much part of the culinary DNA of India. The word means ‘split pulse’ (lentils, peas, chickpeas and beans), and while there are many variations and recipes for different types of dahl in its country of origin, the name tends to refer to any lentil based curry.

I love this article in The Better India that goes into detail about the history and origins of the dahl.

Traditionally you would use the process of ‘tarka’ if you’re cooking Tarka Dahl, which you can always try if you have a little extra time.

A ‘tarka’ is the process of frying spices in a hot oil before adding them to a dish. This releases flavours from the spices. You then pour this over your Dahl as the ultimate seasoning.

Slow Cooker Dahl Ingredientsn notes

Ingredients for a Slow Cooker Dahl recipe laid out on the counter.
  • Onions, garlic and ginger – Fresh or frozen for these ingredients is fine if you prefer them to fresh
  • Curry paste – Use what you have or whichever one you prefer
  • Red lentils – These should be the dry type, in a bag
  • Coconut milk – I use reduced fat but it’s up to you
  • Butternut squash – Fresh or frozen chunks is totally fine
  • Vegetable stock – Read notes on the recipe below on quantities
  • Paneer – Large chunks to serve. If you can’t find this Indian cheese, halloumi would also work well

How to make Slow Cooker Dahl

Raw ingredients for a Slow Cooker Dahl ready in the pan.
  1. Put everything into the slow cooker and cook as per the recipe (at the bottom of this post).

2. Heat the oil in a small frying pan and fry off the cubes of paneer until crispy all over. Serve on top of the dhal.

Substitutions

  • Halloumi – Swap the paneer for this if you prefer it

Leftovers

In the fridge You can keep this recipe in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat fully in the microwave or hob before serving.

In the freezer This recipe freezes well but try to freeze it without the paneer as that doesn’t freeze well. Just wait until it’s totally cold and then put into a freezer proof container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly before reheating in the microwave or on the hob.

Top tips

Make a ‘tarka’ sauce with spices beforehand for a extra flavour:
Heat up a little oil, add your chosen spices until they become fragrant (try cumin seeds, chilli flakes and fennel seeds) then add them to the dhal when it has finished cooking.. Be careful not to get them too hot or they will burn and taste bitter.

Stock amount: 
The amount of stock you need for this recipe varies greatly depending on the ingredients and also how runny you like your dhal. If it looks too thick or dry an hour or two before serving (or even when you go to serve) add an additional 100-200ml of stock and stir well.

I find that sometimes a lot of liquid is released by the butternut squash and other times not so much. That’s why I start with 100ml of stock and then adjust accordingly.

More vegetarian curries…

FAQs

Can you recommend a slow cooker?

The Morphy Richards Sear & Stew Slow Cooker is my all-time favourite because you can use it for initial browning on the hob and it’s really light. For induction hobs, I recommend the Lakeland Digital 6.5l Slow Cooker instead.

Can I really put everything together at the same time for a vegetarian curry?

Yes! Frying the spices a little beforehand will give that extra depth of flavour, as I’ve already mentioned, but if you’re going for convenience there will still be plenty of flavour in this all-in-one recipe.

Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐ below.

Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).

Simple Slow Cooker recipe for Red Lentil Dahl. The cooked dish.
Print

Red Lentil Dahl {Slow Cooker Fakeaways}

This Red Lentil Slow Cooker Dahl is a perfect weekend fakeaway. It’s simple, healthy, is packed with flavour and is an ideal vegetarian curry.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 264kcal
Author Sarah Rossi

Ingredients

  • 1 Onion Peeled and chopped
  • 3 Cloves Garlic Or 3 tbsp of frozen/jar
  • 2 tbsp Ginger Fresh or frozen/jar
  • 2 tsp Ground cumin
  • 4 tbsp Curry paste
  • 250 g Red lentils
  • 400 ml Reduced fat coconut milk
  • 400 g Tinned chopped tomatoes
  • 300 g Butternut squash cubes Fresh or frozen
  • 100 ml Vegetable stock See notes

To serve:

  • 2 tsp Sunflower oil
  • 225 g Paneer Cut into large chunks
Metric – Imperial

Instructions

  • Put everything into the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 6 hours or LOW for 8-9 hours.

Optional to serve:

  • Heat the oil in a small frying pan and fry off the cubes of paneer until crispy all over. Serve on top of the dahl.

Notes

Stock notes The amount of stock you need for this recipe varies greatly depending on the ingredients and also how runny you like your dahl.
If it looks too thick or dry an hour or two before serving (or even when you go to serve) add an additional 100-200ml/0.5-1 cup of stock and stir well.
I find that sometimes a lot of liquid is released by the butternut squash and other times not so much. That’s why I start with 100ml of stock and then adjust accordingly.
Nutritional information The info above is without the optional paneer.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 208mg | Potassium: 824mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 7094IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 5mg

The post Red Lentil Dahl {Slow Cooker Fakeaways} appeared first on Taming Twins.

]]> https://www.tamingtwins.com/slow-cooker-dahl/feed/ 58 Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas https://www.tamingtwins.com/slow-cooker-chicken-fajitas/ https://www.tamingtwins.com/slow-cooker-chicken-fajitas/#comments Tue, 26 Jul 2022 09:30:15 +0000 https://www.tamingtwins.com/?p=15383

We all love them, but did you know you can cook them in a slow cooker? I give you.. Slow Cooker…

The post Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas appeared first on Taming Twins.

]]>

We all love them, but did you know you can cook them in a slow cooker? I give you.. Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas. A classic dinner recipe that’s packed with flavour.

Recipe for slow cooker chicken fajitas, served in wraps.

Just when you thought fajitas couldn’t get any easier, here is my version of Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas.

All the usual flavours but even better. Why? You can stick all the ingredients in during the day, ready to serve up at dinner time without any effort at all.

Plus, the ingredients finish up succulent, moist and marinated, and it’s a healthy meal, making this the ultimate midweek dinner.

I love how budget-friendly slow cooker chicken recipes are too, while tasting like there is so much more going on.

You can dress this dish up, serving up with lots of little side dishes for a Mexican-style feast when guests come round, or keeping it simple with rice or wraps when it’s a normal family meal time.

I would love to know how you’ve got on if you try this recipe. Please leave a comment or chat to me over on my social channels – Instagram, Facebook or Tik Tok – to let me know!

You’ll love this recipe because:

✅ All the flavour without the effort

✅ Healthy and satisfying

✅ Can keep side dishes simple or all-out impressive

Recipe guide for making chicken fajitas in the slow cooker

 FAQs about this Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas Recipe

What should I serve with this dish?

You can serve this with Mexican-flavoured rice or salad, tortilla wraps, guacamole, salsa and sour cream (or plain yoghurt) for a filling feast.

Is this an authentic Mexican recipe?

Interestingly, “fajitas” is actually a TexMex recipe. This is my slow cooker take on my favourite fajitas I’ve eaten in restaurants here and also in Mexico. If you’d like to learn about more authentic Tex Mex fajitas you can read about them (along with a recipe) at MuyBuenoKitchen.

Can I prepare the ingredients the night before?

Yes! I love this hack when I know a day is coming up that doesn’t have a window for cooking or even prep. I put all of the ingredients in the slow cooker pan, then refrigerate overnight. In the morning, I just have to pop it into the slow cooker and switch on.

Can I freeze the leftovers?

Yes – if you don’t eat it all, freeze the rest for another day (or make double on purpose for this very reason). Or you can reheat the leftovers for lunch the following day.

Do I really not need to add any liquid?

Nope! Enough liquid will come out of the chicken and onions to cook them. (In fact you will probably want to drain some off, see the notes on the recipe.)

Is this spicy?

I’d say medium spice if you use Mild Chilli powder. You could adjust the chilli powder heat and amount to your taste.

Can I make this a vegetarian dish?

If you’re looking for vegetarian fajitas instead, try this recipe: Halloumi Fajitas. It’s honestly sooo good!

Can you recommend a good slow cooker?

My favourite is the Morphy Richards Sear & Stew Slow Cooker, which can be used on the hob too. The best I find for induction hobs is the Lakeland Digital 6.5l Slow Cooker.

chicken fajitas in the slow cooker

Fancy more Slow Cooker recipes?

Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do.

I’d love to know how you got on and what you thought of it if you make this Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas recipe. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐ by the recipe. Also, if you’d like to show me a photo by tagging me on Instagram (@tamingtwins) I LOVE to see your creations.

Slow cooker filled with cooked chicken fajitas.
Print

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

Chicken Fajitas cooked slowly allows the flavours to marinate and the meat to become juicy and tender, making it an ideal slow cooker meal.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Family Food, Mexican
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 250kcal
Author Sarah Rossi

Ingredients

  • 650 g Chicken breast
  • 1 Red pepper (capsicum) Deseeded and cut into wedges
  • 1 Yellow pepper (capsicum) Deseeded and cut into wedges
  • 1 Green pepper (capsicum) Deseeded and cut into wedges
  • 2 Large Onions Peeled and cut into wedges
  • 2 tsp Oil

For the fajitas seasoning {or use 4 tbsp of ready-made fajita seasoning):

  • 1 tsp Chilli powder
  • 1 tsp Ground cumin
  • 2 tsp Paprika
  • 1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Sea salt
  • 1 tsp Ground black pepper
Metric - Imperial

Instructions

  • Put everything in to the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 5-6 hours.
  • Check the chicken is cooked through before serving. Slice and add back to the peppers.
  • NOTE: You may want to drain off some of the liquid as it can have quite a strong taste from the seasoning and make the chicken too wet.
  • OPTION: If you DO NOT want very soft peppers, and prefer them with a little texture, add them 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time, rather than at the start of cooking.
  • NOTE: Chicken breasts vary in size and shape which will impact the cooking time. As always, check that they are cooked through before serving.

Notes

Peppers: The type of peppers used are bell peppers

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 810mg | Potassium: 973mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2298IU | Vitamin C: 124mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 2mg

The post Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas appeared first on Taming Twins.

]]> https://www.tamingtwins.com/slow-cooker-chicken-fajitas/feed/ 12 Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala {SO EASY!} https://www.tamingtwins.com/slow-cooker-chicken-tikka-masala/ https://www.tamingtwins.com/slow-cooker-chicken-tikka-masala/#comments Sat, 15 Oct 2022 09:30:00 +0000 https://www.tamingtwins.com/?p=16623

 An absolute classic fakeaway, this Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala is an complete winner for a weekend (or weeknight) curry…

The post Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala {SO EASY!} appeared first on Taming Twins.

]]>

 An absolute classic fakeaway, this Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala is an complete winner for a weekend (or weeknight) curry night. This creamy tomato curry is a comforting, tangy, rich dish that’s perfect for the whole family or when cooking for guests.

How a slow cooker Chicken Tikka Masala looks when it's done.

Everyone loves a Chicken Tikka Masala, and this slow cooker chicken recipe is so easy and tasty because it allows all those flavours to marinate over hours for a wonderful depth of flavour that disguises the fact that there isn’t an enormous ingredient list here. 

This dish has been made in the UK for decades, becoming one of our most-loved dishes and a firm takeaway favourite too, and its many variations come with wildly different levels of difficulty and spices.

This one sits firmly between the two camps of ‘a jar will do’ and ‘this dish takes many careful hours and rare ingredients to perfect’.

MOre Tikka Recipes…

Why you’ll love this Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala recipe

⭐ Satisfying and low cost

⭐ Super simple but impressive

⭐ Perfect on its own or as part of a banquet

Close up of the finished chicken tikka masala made in a slow cooker.

About this recipe

I love this article in The Culture Trip, which talks about the origins of ‘Britain’s unofficial national dish’ and its apparent links to Glasgow, for many believe that the Chicken Tikka Masala is actually a British version of a curry which perhaps never existed in South Asia, or at least is an adaptation of an authentic dish that travelled many miles. 

One thing is for sure, and that’s that no matter what form it comes in and what recipe you use, it remains one of our very favourites. And that’s because it’s so bloomin’ delicious.

I feature plenty of curry recipes that are popular, but I couldn’t resist making my own version of a classic, and making it as easy as possible.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala Ingredients notes

The ingredients layed out in their packets, showing what you need for the a slow cooker chicken tikka masala recipe.
  • Chicken breasts – Chop this skinless, boneless meat into bite-sized pieces
  • Onion – You’ll need one or about 160g/6oz if you’re using pre-chopped frozen from a pack
  • Chopped tomatoes – Tinned ones are fine
  • Garlic puree – Use about 3 cloves if you’re using fresh
  • Tikka curry paste – Or tikka masala curry paste, but NOT regular curry sauce
  • Mango chutney – I love the Geeta’s brand for lots of flavour
  • Garam masala – We’re going to add this in before serving
  • Creme fraiche – I used half fat in this. DO NOT overheat the creme fraiche or it will curdle. I used around 100ml, however if you want a more creamy sauce feel free to add more. If you don’t want to buy a whole pot you could leave this out, however it does give that classic Chicken Tikka Masala tang

How to make Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Step 1 of the recipe for slow cooker chicken tikka masala is shown, with the raw ingredients of chicken, tomatoes, onion, tomato puree, salt, garlic and tikka pasta in the pot.

1. Put all of the slow cook ingredients into the slow cooker pan and cook according to the recipe at the bottom of this page.

Step 2 of the recipe for slow cooker chicken tikka masala with a sauce and spices going in.

2. Just before serving, stir in garam masala, mango chutney and creme fraiche.

Substitutions

  • Chicken – You could use chicken boneless skinless thighs instead here, but they may need additional cooking time.

Leftovers

In the fridge You can keep this recipe in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat fully in the microwave or on the hob before serving.

In the freezer If you were making a batch of this, I would freeze without creme fraiche if possible. But if you’re just freezing leftovers this will be fine, it’s just dairy can be a little temperamental when frozen!

Chicken Tikka Masala serving suggestions:

  • Rice
  • Naan
  • Raita
  • Poppadoms
  • Mango chutney

Curry Night: What else to make

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! One of my favourite hacks is to prepare a few nights’ worth of slow cooker meals on a Sunday and keep them in the fridge for the ultimate easy dinner. Follow my Fridge Dump Bag Recipes guide here to see how!

Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐ below.

Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).

The end product of a Chicken Tikka Masala recipe.
Print

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala {SO EASY!}

This tomatoey, creamy-based curry is perfect for a family fakeaway. Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala is not only simple, it's super tasty too.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 387kcal
Author Sarah Rossi

Ingredients

For the Slow Cook:

  • 700 g Skinless, boneless chicken breast Chopped into bite-size pieces
  • 1 Onion See notes
  • 400 g Chopped tomatoes 1x can
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 2 tbsp Garlic puree Or 3 cloves if using fresh
  • 3 tbsp Tomato puree
  • 150 g Tikka masala paste

To Serve:

  • 4 tbsp Mango chutney
  • 2 tsp Garam masala Add before serving
  • 100 ml Creme fraiche I use half fat | See notes
Metric – Imperial

Instructions

  • Put all of the slow cook ingredients into the slow cooker pan, cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours (or 6-8 hours on low). As always, check the meat is cooked through before serving.
  • Before serving, stir in garam masala, mango chutney and creme fraiche.

Notes

Onion: If you’re using frozen, use about 160g.
Creme fraiche: I used around 100ml/0.5 cup of creme fraiche, however if you want a more creamy sauce feel free to add more, if you don’t want to buy a whole pot you could leave this out, however it does give that classic tang.
Chicken: You could use chicken boneless skinless thighs instead here, but they may need additional cooking time.
Freezing: If you were making a batch of this, I would freeze without creme fraiche if possible. But if you’re just freezing leftovers this will be fine, it’s just dairy can be a little temperamental when frozen!
Serving suggestions: Rice, naan, raita, poppadoms

Nutrition

Calories: 387kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 966mg | Potassium: 974mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 6138IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 3mg

The post Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala {SO EASY!} appeared first on Taming Twins.

]]> https://www.tamingtwins.com/slow-cooker-chicken-tikka-masala/feed/ 76 Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken {Easy Fakeaway} https://www.tamingtwins.com/slow-cooker-sweet-sour-chicken/ https://www.tamingtwins.com/slow-cooker-sweet-sour-chicken/#comments Mon, 26 Sep 2022 09:30:00 +0000 https://www.tamingtwins.com/?p=16395

You can’t beat slow cooker chicken recipes when it comes to fakeaways! Our trusty slow cookers can be a saviour…

The post Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken {Easy Fakeaway} appeared first on Taming Twins.

]]>

You can’t beat slow cooker chicken recipes when it comes to fakeaways! Our trusty slow cookers can be a saviour on the busiest of days, so how about a homemade Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken for when we fancy a little something extra?

Finish pan of Sweet and Sour Chicken in the Slow Cooker with the lid off.

This sticky, sweet, tangy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken deliciousness is a winner of a fakeaway.

It’s so much cheaper to make at home, using your slow cooker is energy efficient and this recipe doesn’t use any complicated ingredients.

This style of sauce is a total classic, enjoyed by everyone (a particular favourite with kids) hope you love it too! ❤

Why you’ll love this Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe

⭐ Simple store cupboard ingredients

⭐ Delicious sweet, tangy flavour

⭐ Easy preparation and cooking

A close up of sweet and sour chicken made in the slow cooker.

Sarah’s Notes

There are many different styles of sweet and sour dishes that date back centuries from China, as well as the Philippines and Korea.

How it came to be that it’s now a rather orange sauce in the UK though is anyone’s guess!

As it’s evolved, we are more familiar with a bright, sticky sauce that was ranked #4 in a survey of Brits’ favourite takeaways during lockdown. This report suggests that the origins may have come from Shanghai and interestingly, the sauce was then black in colour.

This is my take on Sweet and Sour Chicken, focused on flavour, convenience, cost, and as always, family friendliness.

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken Ingredients

Raw ingredients in a slow cooker pan for the recipe sweet and sour chicken.
  • Chicken breasts – I cut these into bite sized pieces. You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer, they may take a little longer to cook
  • Light soy – You can use dark soy if it’s all you have, but the colour of the finished sauce will be very different. The flavour may also be quite salty
  • Garlic – 4 cloves or 4 teaspoons of the lazy kind. You can also use paste
  • Ginger – 2 inches or 2 teaspoons of the lazy kind. You can also use paste if you prefer, or take out a small portion of fresh from the freezer and grate into the pot
  • White wine vinegar – Not white vinegar, or malt vinegar, these are very different!
  • Dark brown sugar – This does need to be dark brown to give that rich flavour
  • Peppers – I use red, yellow and orange peppers for their sweetness but any colour will work. You can also cheat by using frozen peppers, but bear in mind these tend to be cut up quite small
  • Tinned pineapple (in JUICE) – Make sure the pineapple is in chunks. If you buy the rings, you can just cut them up. You’ll be using the juice before you use the fruit itself in the cooking process
  • Optional: Chilli flakes for a bit of heat if you like that, and a squeeze of lime at the end for extra zing

How to make Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe method step 1.

1. Cook slow cook ingredients, PLUS the juice from the can of pineapple (save the fruit for later) on high for 3 HOURS or low for 5-6 hours.

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe method step 3.

2. Put the cornflour into a small bowl or mug and add enough liquid from the slow cooker to make a smooth paste (‘slurry’). Pour back into the slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe method step 2.

3. Add the brown sugar, peppers, and tinned pineapple.

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe method step 4.

4. Put back into the slow cooker on high for 30 minutes OR put on the hob (if your slow cooker pan allows) for 15 minutes until the sauce is thickened and the peppers are slightly softened.

Substitutions

  • Chicken thighs – If you prefer this cut of meat instead of breast for taste, texture or cost, that’s fine. You may need to cook a little longer.
  • Soy sauce – Tamari is a gluten free alternative. You could also try Worcestershire Sauce, bearing in mind this isn’t vegetarian, or there’s miso paste or fish sauce if that’s all you have.
  • Brown sugar – If you only have light brown sugar, you could use this, however it won’t have such a deep flavour or colour.

Leftovers

In the fridge You can keep this recipe in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat fully in the microwave or on the hob before serving. The sauce will be a lot thicker when reheated, add a splash of water to thin a little if you like.

In the freezer Wait until it’s totally cold and then put into a freezer proof container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly before reheating in the microwave or on the hob.

Serving suggestions

This goes really well with my Egg Fried Rice and prawn crackers. You could also have this with noodles if you prefer.

More Chinese inspired fakeaways…

FAQs

Why Do I have to make a cornflour paste?

This is a trick to thicken the sauce without ending up with floury lumps.

First you add cornflour to a small bowl, mug or jug, then use a little liquid from the dish (a spoonful or two) to mix the cornflour into a paste consistency.

If you just sprinkle cornflour straight into the dish, it will form lumps that are almost impossible to get rid of. I promise this step is worth the extra dirty bowl!

Can you recommend a slow cooker?

My favourite slow cooker is the Morphy Richards Sear & Stew Slow Cooker.

The pan of this one works on gas and electric hobs, so you can brown meat beforehand if necessary (I do try and avoid this most of the time though), or if anything needs a quick heat up after slow cooking. It’s also really light which is a bonus.

For induction hobs, lots of people have recommended the Lakeland Digital 6.5l Slow Cooker.

CaN i Make Sweet and Sour Chicken on the hob instead?

Yes, you can! Follow my recipe for Sweet and Sour Chicken for the hob method, ingredients and timings.

Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐ below.

Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).

Peppers, chicken and spring onion in a sweet and sour sauce.
Print

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken

Replicate a takeaway favourite at home by trying this delicious Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken. It's perfect for weekends or entertaining!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 25 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 420kcal
Author Sarah Rossi

Ingredients

Slow cook ingredients:

  • 700 g Chicken breasts Cut into large chunks
  • 1 Onion Peeled and cut into large chunks
  • 3 tbsp Tomato puree
  • 3 tbsp Light soy sauce
  • 4 cloves Garlic
  • 2 inches Ginger
  • 4 tbsp Honey
  • 4 tbsp White wine vinegar
  • Salt and pepper

To add later:

  • 3 tbsp Cornflour
  • 2 tbsp Dark brown sugar
  • 3 Peppers Cut into big chunks
  • 435 g Tinned pineapple (in JUICE) In chunks
Metric – Imperial

Instructions

  • Cook slow cook ingredients, PLUS the juice from the can of pineapple (save the fruit for later) on high for 3 HOURS or low for 5-6 hours.
  • Put the cornflour into a small bowl or mug and add enough liquid from the slow cooker to make a smooth paste (slurry). Pour back into the slow cooker.
  • Add the brown sugar, peppers, and tinned pineapple.
  • EITHER: Put back into the slow cooker on high for 30 minutes.
    OR
    Put on the hob (if your slow cooker pan allows) for 15 minutes until the sauce is thickened and the peppers are slightly softened.

Notes

Peppers: The type of peppers used are bell peppers. I add them at the end as I like them very crunchy and not overcooked here. You could add with the chicken if you prefer them softer.
Chicken breasts: I cut these into bite sized pieces. You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer, they may take a little longer to cook
Light soy: You can use dark soy if it’s all you have, but the colour of the finished sauce will be very different. The flavour may also be quite salty
White wine vinegar: Be careful not to use white vinegar or malt vinegar. These are very different!
Dark brown sugar: This does need to be dark brown to give that rich flavour
Tinned pineapple (in JUICE): We’re using chunks, but if you buy the rings, you can just cut them up. You’ll be using the juice before you use the fruit itself in the cooking process
Optional: Chilli flakes for a bit of heat if you like that, and a squeeze of lime at the end for extra zing
Soy sauce alternatives: Tamari is a gluten free alternative. You could also try Worcestershire Sauce, bearing in mind this isn’t vegetarian, or there’s miso paste or fish sauce if that’s all you have
How to freeze: Wait until it’s totally cold and then put into a freezer proof container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly before reheating in the microwave or on the hob
Serving suggestions: This goes really well with my Egg Fried Rice and prawn crackers. You could also have this with noodles if you prefer

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 970mg | Potassium: 1103mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 2963IU | Vitamin C: 129mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 2mg

The post Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken {Easy Fakeaway} appeared first on Taming Twins.

]]> https://www.tamingtwins.com/slow-cooker-sweet-sour-chicken/feed/ 44