Honey Garlic Pineapple Chicken Bites – Easy Crockpot Dinner Recipe
These honey garlic pineapple chicken bites are a sweet, savory, and tangy crockpot dinner that’s quick to prep and perfect for busy weeknights. Juicy chicken, pineapple, and a sticky honey garlic glaze make this dish a family favorite that’s also great for meal prep or parties.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, drained (reserve juice)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or Tamari for gluten-free)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch, mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional garnishes: sliced green onions, sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, lime wedges
Instructions
- Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, pat dry, and season lightly with salt and black pepper.
- Add seasoned chicken to the bottom of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle minced garlic over the chicken.
- In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup, and reserved pineapple juice. Pour over the chicken.
- Scatter drained pineapple chunks over the top (do not stir).
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or HIGH for 1.5-2 hours, until chicken is tender but not falling apart.
- In the last 30 minutes, stir in the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. If sauce is too thin, cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes.
- Optional: For caramelized bites, transfer chicken and pineapple to a foil-lined baking sheet and broil on high for 2-3 minutes until golden.
- Serve hot over steamed rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice. Garnish as desired.
Notes
For extra juiciness, use chicken thighs. To make gluten-free, use Tamari or coconut aminos. Add bell peppers or snap peas for more veggies. Broil at the end for caramelized edges. Leftovers keep well and flavors deepen after a day. If sauce thickens too much in the fridge, stir in a spoonful of water before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 23
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
Keywords: honey garlic chicken, pineapple chicken, crockpot chicken, slow cooker, easy dinner, meal prep, Asian-inspired, gluten-free option, family dinner, party appetizer