Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken is an easy, flavorful dinner made with tender chicken, juicy pineapple, and a sweet-and-savory sauce. Everything cooks slowly together until the chicken is incredibly tender and coated in a delicious tropical glaze. Serve it over steamed rice for a simple family meal.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, reserve the juice
• ½ cup pineapple juice from the can
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger, optional
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 2 green onions, sliced, for garnish
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, optional

Directions

1. Prepare the Chicken

Trim any excess fat from the chicken and cut very large chicken breasts in half horizontally so they cook more evenly.

Place the chicken in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.

2. Make the Hawaiian Sauce

In a bowl, whisk together:

• Pineapple juice
• Brown sugar
• Soy sauce
• Minced garlic
• Ginger, if using
• Black pepper

Whisk until the brown sugar is mostly dissolved.

3. Add Everything to the Crockpot

Pour the sauce over the chicken.

Add the pineapple chunks around and on top of the chicken.

Give everything a gentle stir so the chicken is coated in the sauce.

4. Slow Cook

Cover and cook until the chicken is tender and reaches a safe internal temperature:

• LOW: about 4–5 hours
• HIGH: about 2–3 hours

Cooking time varies according to the size and thickness of the chicken pieces, so use an instant-read thermometer rather than relying only on the clock.

Chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part.

5. Thicken the Sauce

For a thicker, glossy sauce, remove the cooked chicken and pineapple from the slow cooker.

Pour some of the cooking liquid into a saucepan.

Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth. Whisk this slurry into the hot sauce.

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened.

Pour the sauce back over the chicken.

6. Garnish

Slice or shred the chicken and spoon plenty of the sweet Hawaiian sauce over it.

Top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

What to Serve With It

This chicken is especially delicious with:

• Steamed white rice
• Coconut rice
• Fried rice
• Roasted broccoli
• Stir-fried vegetables
• Hawaiian-style macaroni salad
• Steamed green beans

Tips for the Best Hawaiian Chicken

Use chicken thighs for extra tenderness: They contain more fat and are more forgiving in the slow cooker.

Don’t skip the pineapple juice: It adds sweetness and gives the sauce its distinctive tropical flavor.

Use low-sodium soy sauce: The sauce can become quite salty with regular soy sauce, especially as it reduces.

Don’t overcook the chicken: Boneless chicken breasts can become dry if left in the slow cooker too long.

Thicken the sauce at the end: Adding cornstarch directly to the crockpot at the beginning isn’t ideal. Making a slurry and thickening the cooking liquid afterward gives you a smoother sauce.

Easy Variations

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

Replace ¼ cup of the soy sauce with your favorite barbecue sauce for a smoky-sweet flavor.

Spicy Hawaiian Chicken

Add 1–2 teaspoons of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.

Hawaiian Chicken & Peppers

Add sliced bell peppers during the final hour of cooking so they retain some texture.

Teriyaki-Style Hawaiian Chicken

Add a little extra ginger and garlic and finish the dish with toasted sesame seeds.

Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken is an easy dump-and-cook dinner with tender chicken, caramelized pineapple flavor, and a sweet-savory sauce that makes every bite delicious.