Description

This Irresistible Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken recipe combines tender chicken thighs with a flavorful pineapple-based sauce cooked low and slow for a succulent, tropical-inspired meal. Perfect for busy days, it offers a sweet and tangy taste infused with soy sauce, brown sugar, and fresh pineapple chunks, served best over steamed rice and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into large chunks

Sauce

1 cup pineapple juice
1/3 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Additional Ingredients

1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water (for slurry)
1 1/2 cups pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
1 bell pepper, chopped (red or green)
2 green onions, sliced for garnish
Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken chunks into the bottom of a greased slow cooker, ensuring they are evenly spread out for even cooking.
Mix the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, ground ginger, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Add the sauce and cook: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
Add vegetables and pineapple: During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the pineapple chunks and chopped bell pepper to infuse additional flavors and texture.
Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir this mixture into the slow cooker and cook uncovered on high for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
Serve and garnish: Serve the Hawaiian chicken hot over steamed rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired for a nutty crunch and added flavor.

Notes

For extra flavor and texture, sear the chicken in a hot skillet before placing it in the slow cooker.
This dish is ideal for meal prep as it reheats very well without losing flavor.
Chicken thighs are recommended for a juicier and more flavorful result, but chicken breasts can be used as a leaner alternative.
To keep the recipe gluten-free, be sure to use gluten-free soy sauce.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 portion
Calories: 360
Sugar: 22g
Sodium: 620mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 33g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 34g
Cholesterol: 105mg