Crockpot General Tso's Chicken

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken cut into 1" pieces

3/4 c. + 2 T. cornstarch

1 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

2 T oil

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. soy sauce

1/2 c. unsweetened pineapple juice*

1/3 c. vinegar

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 t. cayenne pepper

1/4 t. ginger

green onion, sliced, optional

rice, cooked

broccoli, chopped, cooked

Combine 3/4 c. cornstarch, salt, pepper in dish. Dip chicken in mixture to coat. Shake off excess and set aside. Heat oil in skillet over medium high heat. Brown the chicken, no more than 2 minutes wach side. Remove chicken and set aside. Place liner in crockpot. Combine sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, vinegar, garlic, and cayenne. Stir to mix well. Place in lined crockpot. Add chicken to crockpot. Cook on low for 4 hours. Check 20 minutes before serving and make sure the sauce is thick enough. If not, take the remaining 2 T. of cornstarch and mix with 2 T. cold water until a slurry forms. Gently mix a little at a time with the chicken and sauce. It thickens as it cooks. Cook for another 20 minutes and serve over chopped broccoli and rice. Top with sliced green onion. 

*if you don't have or can't use pineapple juice, orange juice may be substituted. It may change the taste a little , but it is still good.