This Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken will help you taste the tropics! Simmers in a savory-sweet pineapple sauce, juicy, slow-cooked chicken creates a tender and delicious meal. This meal strikes the ideal mix of sweet, sour, and salty with bell peppers, pineapple pieces, and a trace of garlic and ginger.
All the better still. Your crockpot does all the work. Present this over a bowl of fluffy rice for a restaurant-quality dinner prepared quickly at home.
For more versatile ideas, explore these Ground Chicken Recipes that are quick and flavorful.
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Will Make You Loveable
✔ Set It & Forget It: As you go about your day, the slow cooker handles all the work!
✔ Sweet & Savory Perfection: Brown sugar, soy sauce, and pineapple juice balance taste exactly.
✔ Tender, Juicy Chicken: The chicken falls apart from slow cooking.
✔ Crowd-Pleasant and Family-Friendly, Even finicky eaters will find a dish everyone adores!
✔ Perfect for Meal Prep; leftovers taste much better the next day!
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Sauce
- Four boneless, skinless chicken breasts tender and juicy are slowly cooked for the chicken and sauce.
- ½ cup soy sauce brings umami and depth; use coconut aminos for reduced sodium.
- One cup of pineapple juice forms the delicious, tropical basis for the sauce.
- Brown Sugar (½ cup) caramelizes the savory tastes to counter them.
- Honey ¼ cup accentuates the inherent sweetness.
- One tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar gives some tang.
- Two tsp minced garlic brings savory depth.
- One tsp of ground ginger provides a warm, somewhat spiky note.
- Black pepper (half-tsp) provides a mild spiciness.
- Optional ¼ tsp red pepper flakes provide some spice; leave it if you want milder tastes.
Regarding the Add-Ins
- One sliced red bell pepper lends color and sweetness.
- One sliced yellow bell pepper will provide a quite different sweetness.
- One cup of pineapple chunks will have every mouthful a juicy explosion of tropical taste.
Regarding Thickening the Sauce
- To make a rich, glossy sauce, toss two tablespoons of cornstarch with two tablespoons of water.
For Service
- Perfect for absorbing all the rich sauce, cooked rice is
- A fresh, delicious garnish is green onions and sesame seeds.
👉 The complete ingredient list with measurements is in the recipe card below!
Add a tropical twist by combining chicken and seafood with these Chicken and Shrimp Recipes.
Making Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken: Techniques
First Step: Ready and Load the Crockpot
- Put chicken breasts in a slow cooker.
- Whisk together in a bowl: soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, apple cider vinegar, garlic, ginger, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if used).
- Over the chicken, pour this sweet and flavorful sauce.
- On top of that, add the sliced bell peppers and pineapple chunks.
Second Step: Slow Cook to Tender Perfection
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours (or HIGH for 2–3 hours) until the chicken is completely cooked and tender.
- Once finished, take the chicken, shred or slice it, then set aside.
Third Step: Thin the Sauce
- To make a slurry, toss cornstarch and water in a small bowl.
- Stir the slurry into the crockpot sauce, then turn the heat to HIGH for ten to fifteen minutes until it thickens.
Fourth Step: Bring Everything Together
- Return the shredded or sliced chicken back into the slow cooker, stirring to coat with the thickened sauce.
Step Five: Present and Savor!
- Spoon over warm rice, then sprinkle sesame seeds and green onions.
- Savory, sweet, and wonderfully tender Hawaiian-style chicken is yours.
Pro Advice for Perfect Hawaiian Chicken
✔ Use Chicken Thighs for Extra Juiciness; they remain incredibly juicy and tender.
✔ Want More Sauce? For a saucier meal, add ½ cup additional pineapple juice.
✔ For a Spicy Kick, toss additional red pepper flakes or a little Sriracha.
✔ Desired a Smokey Flavor? Add ½ teaspoon smoked paprika.
✔ Do Not Miss the Slurry Made from Cornstarch! It thickens and brightens the sauce.
How Would You Present and Pair Hawaiian Chicken?
- 🍚 A traditional to soak up the sauce is over steamed rice.
- 🍜 Serve over soba, rice noodles, or ramen for a variation using noodles!
- With roasted vegetables, go great with zucchini, green beans, or broccoli.
- 🥪 Use Hawaiian rolls for little sandwiches in Hawaiian Sliders.
- 🌮 Tacos or Lettuce Wraps are low-carb, fresh choices.
Bonus Idea
An easy side dish is grilled pineapple with additional sauce!
Make Ahead and Organization and Storage
Managing Leftovers
- Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to four days.
Stillness
- Let the chicken cool entirely, then freeze for up to three months in an airtight container.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator; gently reheat on the stovetop or microwave.
- Reheating stovetop: Warm in a pan set over medium heat; add water or pineapple juice if necessary.
- Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between. Microwave.
Frequencies of Questions
- Is frozen chicken okay for me?
Yes! Add roughly one hour of cooking time on Low or 30 minutes on HIGH. - Could I prepare this on the stovetop?
True! Simmer everything in a big pot for 25 to 30 minutes, thickening with cornstarch. - Is it possible to make this dish sugar-free?
True! Use unsweetened pineapple juice and replace brown sugar with a sugar-free sweetener. - Besides, what additional vegetables should I include?
For further texture and taste, include carrots, snap peas, mushrooms, or onions.
Conclusion
This Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken is delicious and bursting with tropical-inspired sweetness! Whether you serve it over rice, noodles, or sliders, this is a guaranteed winner for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Try this recipe right now to infuse a taste of Hawaii into your cooking! 🍆🍗
Love and happy cooking! 😊
Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
Equipment
- Crockpot (Slow Cooker)
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
For the Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce or coconut aminos for a lower sodium option
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional for heat
For the Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper sliced
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
For Thickening
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
For Serving
- Cooked rice for serving
- Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the crockpot.
- In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, apple cider vinegar, garlic, ginger, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Pour over the chicken.
- Add sliced bell peppers and pineapple chunks to the crockpot.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shreddable.
- Remove chicken, shred or slice, and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir it into the crockpot sauce and cook on high for 10-15 minutes until thickened.
- Return the chicken to the crockpot, stirring to coat with the thickened sauce.
- Serve over rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.