Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
Sticky-sweet, tangy, and oh-so-tender, this Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken is an easy slow cooker dinner that brings tropical flavors to your table with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or meal prep, it features juicy chicken simmered in a sweet and savory pineapple-soy sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-6 hours (LOW) or 2.5-3 hours (HIGH)
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes (LOW) or 2 hours 45 minutes (HIGH)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Hawaiian, American
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks in juice, drained and juice reserved (or 2 1/2 cups fresh pineapple chunks)
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or Tamari for gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated (or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- Optional: 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- Optional: 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Optional: Additional pineapple chunks
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels and trim any visible fat. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine drained pineapple chunks, reserved pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic. Stir well to dissolve the sugar. (Optional: Blend for a smoother sauce.)
- Place chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour sauce evenly over the chicken. Add extra pineapple chunks on top if desired.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or HIGH for 2.5-3 hours, until chicken is tender and easy to shred.
- Remove chicken from the slow cooker and set aside (cover to keep warm).
- In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water. Stir the slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker.
- Turn slow cooker to HIGH and cook sauce for 10-15 minutes, or until thickened.
- Return chicken to the thickened sauce or slice/shred and pour sauce over the top.
- Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and extra pineapple if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
For best results, use chicken thighs for tenderness, but breasts work for a leaner meal. Blending the sauce creates a silky texture. Add bell peppers or snap peas for extra veggies. For a gluten-free version, use Tamari. To avoid overcooking, check chicken at the minimum time. Leftovers keep well and flavors deepen overnight. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6th of recipe (approx. 6 ounces cooked chicken with sauce)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 33
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 32
Keywords: sweet hawaiian chicken, crockpot chicken, slow cooker, pineapple chicken, easy dinner, family meal, gluten-free option, meal prep, potluck, tropical chicken