Tantalizingly Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Recipe

This mouthwatering sweet Hawaiian crockpot chicken promises a tropical flavor explosion that will make your taste buds dance.

Tender, juicy meat infused with pineapple and island-inspired spices melting in your mouth.

Each bite transports you to a sunny beach with its vibrant, tangy profile.

Our simple recipe turns ordinary weeknight dinners into an exciting culinary adventure.

The combination of savory and sweet creates a perfect balance that satisfies every craving.

Minimal ingredients and easy preparation mean you can whip up this crowd-pleasing dish without stress.

Grab your slow cooker and let’s turn an ordinary meal into something extraordinary that everyone will love.

Why Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Is Sweet, Sticky, And Easy

• Effortless Tropical Flavor Explosion: Combines sweet pineapple juice, savory soy sauce, and aromatic garlic for a mouthwatering Hawaiian-inspired dish that transforms simple chicken into a restaurant-worthy meal.
• Hands-Off Cooking Magic: Crockpot method allows you to dump ingredients and walk away, creating tender, juicy chicken with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness perfect for busy families or weeknight dinners.
• Customize and Comfort: Versatile recipe lets you adjust sauce thickness, serve over rice or noodles, and add personal touches like green onions or sesame seeds, making it a crowd-pleasing comfort food that satisfies everyone's taste buds.
• Meal Prep Champion: Cooks slowly to develop rich flavors, creates leftovers that taste even better the next day, and requires minimal cleanup – a total win for home cooks seeking convenient and delectable meals.

What You’ll Need For Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Tender meat that becomes the star of this sweet Hawaiian dish, best when boneless and skinless for easy shredding.

• Pineapple Juice: Provides sweet tropical flavor and helps tenderize the chicken, reserve from canned pineapple chunks.
• Soy Sauce: Adds depth and saltiness to balance the sweetness, low-sodium version works well.
• Brown Sugar: Creates a rich, caramel-like sweetness that complements the Hawaiian theme.
• Garlic: Brings aromatic depth and savory notes to the sauce, fresh is more potent than pre-minced.
• Ginger: Optional ingredient that adds warmth and complexity to the flavor profile.

• Cornstarch: Helps create a glossy, thick sauce that clings beautifully to the chicken, mix with water to create a smooth slurry.
• Pineapple Chunks: Adds bursts of sweet, tropical flavor and texture to the dish, canned works perfectly.
• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Optional garnishes that provide fresh color and nutty crunch for final presentation.

How To Make Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Quickly

Step 1: Whisk the Flavor Explosion

• Pineapple juice
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger (optional but recommended)

Blend everything together until the sugar dissolves and creates a vibrant, glossy sauce that hints at the deliciousness to come.

Step 2: Create the Crockpot Magic

Gently place chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker, creating a single layer. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken, making sure each piece gets a generous coating. Sprinkle pineapple chunks across the top, allowing them to nestle between the chicken pieces.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

• Low setting: Cook for 6-7 hours
• High setting: Cook for 3-4 hours

You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken becomes incredibly tender and easily falls apart with a fork.

Step 4: Sauce Transformation (Optional)

• Remove chicken from the crockpot
• Mix cornstarch with a splash of water to create a smooth slurry
• Stir the slurry into the cooking liquid
• Cook on high for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens
• Return chicken to the pot

Step 5: Serve and Celebrate

Plate your creation over fluffy rice or twirly noodles. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and a handful of sesame seeds for an extra pop of flavor and texture. Watch as everyone’s eyes light up with the first bite of this tropical delight!

Tips For Tender Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

• Boost Pineapple Flavor: Use fresh pineapple chunks for an enhanced tropical taste that elevates the entire dish's sweetness and texture.
• Prevent Dry Chicken: Always cook on low heat to keep chicken breasts incredibly moist and tender, avoiding tough or rubbery meat.
• Quick Sauce Thickening: Cornstarch slurry works perfectly to create a glossy, restaurant-quality sauce without complicated techniques.
• Meal Prep Magic: This recipe freezes wonderfully for up to 3 months, making it an excellent option for make-ahead lunches or dinners.
• Diet-Friendly Adaptation: Swap regular soy sauce for low-sodium or gluten-free versions to accommodate different dietary needs without compromising flavor.

How To Store Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Right

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool the chicken completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain its delicious flavor.
• Freeze: Pack the chicken in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality and taste.
• Reheat in Microwave: Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of reserved sauce to keep the meat moist. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warmed.
• Reheat on Stovetop: Transfer chicken to a skillet with a splash of sauce. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring gently to prevent drying out. Add extra sauce if needed to maintain juiciness.

Great Matches For Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

• Boost Hawaiian Flavor Fusion: Pair this sweet and tangy chicken with a crisp Riesling wine that complements the dish's tropical pineapple notes, cutting through the richness while enhancing the overall sweetness.
• Refresh with Tropical Beverages: Serve alongside a bright, citrusy mocktail or pineapple-infused iced tea to echo the Hawaiian theme and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the savory chicken.
• Complement with Zesty Sides: Match the dish with coconut rice or a light cabbage slaw to add texture and balance the sweet and sour flavors, creating a well-rounded meal that feels like a mini vacation on your plate.
• Elevate with Herbal Accents: Sprinkle fresh cilantro or add a side of pickled vegetables to introduce a bright, tangy element that contrasts with the chicken's rich, sweet sauce.

Flavor Swaps For Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

• Tropical Mango Fusion: Swap pineapple chunks with fresh mango pieces and add a splash of coconut milk for a creamy, tropical flavor profile that transforms the classic recipe.
• Spicy Sriracha Kick: Incorporate sriracha sauce into the original recipe for a bold, fiery version that adds heat and complexity to the sweet Hawaiian chicken.
• Teriyaki Fusion Style: Replace soy sauce with teriyaki sauce and add a sprinkle of sesame oil to create a richer, more intense Japanese-inspired chicken dish.
• Island Herb Infusion: Mix in fresh herbs like cilantro and mint, and add a touch of lime juice to brighten the flavors and give the chicken a fresh, zesty character.

FAQs For Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

• What makes this Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken different from other chicken recipes?

This recipe captures the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors with pineapple juice, brown sugar, and soy sauce, creating a tropical-inspired dish that’s both easy to prepare and incredibly delicious.

• Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts directly in the crockpot. Just add about 1-2 hours to the cooking time to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, use tamari instead of regular soy sauce and ensure your cornstarch is certified gluten-free. Always check your ingredient labels carefully.

• How spicy is this dish?

This recipe is mild and kid-friendly. If you want a bit of heat, you can add a small amount of red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the sauce mixture to kick up the flavor.

Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 6-7 hours (or 3-4 hours on high)
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Succulent Hawaiian crockpot chicken brings tropical paradise to dinner tables with minimal effort. Tender chicken pieces simmered in tangy pineapple sauce create a delightful meal that invites adventure on your plate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 lbs (900 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Fruits and Sweet Components:

• 1 can (20 oz / 565 g) pineapple chunks, drained (reserve juice)
• ½ cup (120 ml) brown sugar

Seasonings and Sauces:

• ½ cup (120 ml) soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)

Thickening Agent:

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)

Garnish:

• Green onions, chopped
• Sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant sauce by whisking together tangy pineapple juice, rich soy sauce, caramelized brown sugar, aromatic garlic, and zesty ginger in a mixing bowl until fully incorporated.
2. Gently arrange tender chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot, creating an even layer that will absorb the flavor-packed liquid.
3. Cascade the meticulously prepared sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece receives a thorough coating that promises deep, tropical infusion.
4. Sprinkle luscious pineapple chunks across the top, allowing their natural sweetness to permeate the dish during slow cooking.
5. Seal the crockpot and allow the chicken to simmer on low temperature for 6-7 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours, transforming the meat into a melt-in-your-mouth delicacy.
6. For those desiring a more luxurious sauce consistency, extract the chicken momentarily and introduce a cornstarch slurry, stirring vigorously to create a glossy, clingy texture.
7. Let the sauce reduce and thicken on high heat for 10-15 minutes, developing a rich, concentrated flavor profile.
8. Reunite the tender chicken with the enhanced sauce, creating a harmonious blend of tropical and savory notes.
9. Present the succulent chicken atop a bed of steamed rice or delicate noodles, garnishing with fresh green onions and a sprinkle of nutty sesame seeds for added complexity and visual appeal.

Notes

• Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts to ensure even cooking and easy shredding in the crockpot.
• Adjust the sweetness by reducing brown sugar for a less sweet version or adding more for an intense tropical flavor profile.
• Create a low-sodium alternative by using reduced-sodium soy sauce and controlling the salt content without compromising taste.
• Prep ingredients the night before to save time and let the flavors meld overnight in the refrigerator for enhanced depth and richness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 347
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 712 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 104 mg