Flavorful Slow Cooker Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Recipe with Pineapple
A tender, juicy slow cooker Hawaiian BBQ chicken with a tangy, smoky sauce and bursts of sweet pineapple, perfect for an easy and delicious summer meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 to 6 hours (slow cooker low) or 3 to 4 hours (slow cooker high)
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes (slow cooker low) or 3 hours 10 minutes to 4 hours 10 minutes (slow cooker high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (e.g., Sweet Baby Ray’s)
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks or canned pineapple tidbits, drained
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from chicken thighs or breasts and pat dry with paper towels; season lightly with salt and black pepper. (5 minutes)
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine BBQ sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, chopped onion, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir until smooth and well blended. (5 minutes)
- Place chicken pieces evenly in the slow cooker. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken, coating each piece well. Scatter the pineapple chunks on top. (3 minutes)
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until chicken is tender and easily shredded with a fork.
- Remove chicken pieces to a plate and shred with two forks if desired, then stir back into the sauce. Alternatively, serve chicken pieces whole with sauce spooned over. (5 minutes)
- Give the sauce a quick stir, taste, and adjust seasoning if necessary. (2 minutes)
- Serve spooned over rice, in tacos, or alongside a fresh salad.
Notes
Do not lift the slow cooker lid during cooking to maintain heat. If pineapple is very juicy, reduce BBQ sauce slightly to avoid watery sauce. Use chicken thighs for juicier results. Fresh pineapple preferred for texture but canned works if drained well. For gluten-free, use gluten-free BBQ and soy sauce. For paleo, use paleo-approved sauces. Avoid overcooking to prevent dryness. Shred chicken for pulled texture or serve whole.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup cooked chicken
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 12
- Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 1.5
- Protein: 32
Keywords: slow cooker, Hawaiian BBQ chicken, pineapple, BBQ sauce, easy dinner, summer recipe, crockpot chicken, sweet and smoky