Irresistible Hawaiian Chicken Recipe Perfect for Easy Crockpot Dinners
The tangy sweetness of pineapple combined with the savory goodness of tender chicken makes this Hawaiian Chicken recipe a showstopper. Perfect for busy evenings or lazy weekends, this crockpot dish is simple, flavorful, and family-friendly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4–5 hours on low or 2–3 hours on high
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Ingredients
- 1.5–2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 20-ounce can of pineapple chunks (with juice) or fresh pineapple
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients: Cut fresh pineapple into bite-sized chunks, slice the red bell pepper into thin strips, mince the garlic, and grate the ginger. Set aside.
- Make the sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Mix the cornstarch with water in a small bowl and set aside.
- Arrange the chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs at the bottom of the crockpot. Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken.
- Add the veggies: Scatter the pineapple chunks and bell pepper slices over the chicken. Stir gently to distribute evenly.
- Cook: Set the crockpot to low and cook for 4–5 hours, or high for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Thicken the sauce: Stir in the cornstarch slurry 30 minutes before the cooking time is up. Cover and let the sauce thicken.
- Shred the chicken (optional): Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the crockpot or leave it whole.
- Serve: Serve warm over steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
[‘Sear the chicken in a hot skillet for a couple of minutes on each side before placing it in the crockpot for extra flavor.’, ‘Don’t skip the cornstarch slurry—it’s key to achieving a thick sauce.’, ‘If the sauce looks too thin, remove the lid during the last 20 minutes of cooking to let it reduce.’, ‘Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for added crunch.’, ‘Store leftovers with the sauce to keep the chicken moist and flavorful.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: Hawaiian Chicken, Crockpot Recipe, Easy Dinner, Sweet and Savory, Family-Friendly, Tropical Recipe