Description
This Irresistible Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken is a flavorful and easy slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken simmered in a sweet and tangy pineapple-soy sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal, it combines the tropical taste of pineapple with savory soy and a touch of spice, making it an effortless crowd-pleaser served over steamed rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into large chunks
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/3 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 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)
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker and chicken: Grease the bottom of your slow cooker and place the chicken chunks evenly inside.
- Make 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 well combined.
- Add sauce and cook: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 5–6 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Add pineapple and bell pepper: During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the pineapple chunks and chopped bell pepper for added texture and flavor.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir it into the crockpot, then cook uncovered on high for an additional 15–20 minutes or until the sauce has thickened to your liking.
- Serve and garnish: Serve the Hawaiian chicken hot over steamed rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired for a fresh and nutty finish.
Notes
- For extra flavor, sear the chicken pieces in a hot skillet before placing them in the slow cooker to develop a deeper savory taste.
- This dish is excellent for meal prep as it reheats well and retains its delicious flavors.
- Chicken thighs provide a more tender and flavorful experience compared to chicken breasts, but both work well.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce to make the dish gluten-free.
