Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken is a flavorful slow-cooked dish that combines tender chicken thighs with sweet pineapple, tangy soy sauce, and a balance of savory and sweet flavors. Perfect for busy days, this hands-off recipe offers a family-friendly meal with minimal ingredients and versatile serving options.
- Author: Barbara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 to 6 hours on low or 3 hours on high plus 15 minutes thickening
- Total Time: Approximately 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian / American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken and Protein
- 2 lbs chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless)
Fruits
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
Liquids and Sauces
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
Sweeteners
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
Thickening Agent
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cold water (for cornstarch slurry)
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Gather chicken thighs, pineapple chunks, pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and red bell pepper. Mince the garlic finely and slice the bell pepper into thin strips for even cooking and flavor distribution.
- Layer Ingredients in the Crockpot: Place the chicken thighs at the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the pineapple chunks and pineapple juice over the chicken. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and sliced bell pepper on top, allowing the flavors to infuse slowly.
- Slow Cook for Tender Perfection: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for about 3 hours until the chicken is tender and infused with flavor.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Stir this slurry into the crockpot, cover, and cook on high for an additional 15 minutes to achieve a glossy, thickened sauce.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once thickened, gently stir and serve hot. This dish pairs excellently with rice, noodles, or can be used as a sandwich filling.
Notes
- Trim excess fat from chicken thighs to avoid greasy sauce.
- Use fresh pineapple chunks for brighter flavor if possible.
- Avoid lifting the crockpot lid during cooking to maintain steady heat.
- Adjust sweetness near the end by adding more brown sugar if desired.
- This recipe freezes well; double the batch for easy meal prep.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Hawaiian chicken, crockpot chicken, slow cooker recipe, sweet and savory chicken, family dinner, easy dinner