Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken (Printer-friendly)
Tender chicken slow-cooked in sweet and tangy pineapple sauce with classic Hawaiian flavors for an easy, delicious meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
→ Sauce
02 - 1 cup pineapple juice
03 - 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
04 - 1/2 cup brown sugar
05 - 1/2 cup ketchup
06 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
07 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
08 - 2 tablespoons water for slurry
09 - 2 cloves garlic minced
10 - 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
→ Vegetables & Fruit
11 - 1 red bell pepper cut into 1-inch pieces
12 - 1 yellow bell pepper cut into 1-inch pieces
13 - 1 medium onion sliced
14 - 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks or canned drained
→ Garnish
15 - 2 green onions sliced
16 - Sesame seeds
# How To Make It:
01 - Place chicken thighs or breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker, ensuring even distribution for consistent cooking.
02 - Whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger in a medium bowl until sugar dissolves completely.
03 - Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken, then arrange onions, bell peppers, and pineapple chunks evenly on top.
04 - Cover and cook on LOW setting for 4-5 hours until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and becomes tender.
05 - Transfer cooked chicken and vegetables to a serving platter, covering loosely with foil to maintain warmth.
06 - Create slurry by mixing cornstarch and water until smooth. Pour cooking liquid into saucepan, bring to simmer over medium heat, then whisk in slurry. Cook 2-3 minutes until sauce reaches desired consistency.
07 - Pour thickened sauce over chicken and vegetables. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately with steamed rice.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Set it and forget it cooking that leaves your kitchen smelling like a tropical vacation
- Sweet, tangy, and savory flavors that somehow make everyone think youre a better cook than you actually are
02 -
- The sauce will taste quite salty before cooking, but the pineapple and vegetables balance it out beautifully during the long simmer
- If youre rushing, you can skip the sauce thickening step, but honestly that glossy restaurant style finish is worth the extra five minutes
03 -
- Pat the chicken dry before adding it to the slow cooker, this helps the sauce cling better
- Use freshly grated ginger, the jarred stuff has a weird aftertaste in long cooked dishes