Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken is a delightful slow-cooked dish that blends the tropical flavors of pineapple and the savory depth of soy sauce. This recipe creates tender, juicy chicken coated in a glossy, sticky sauce that’s perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or entertaining. Easy to make and packed with bold flavors, it’s a surefire hit!
Ingredients
- Chicken: 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Pineapple: 1 can 20 oz pineapple chunks, with juice reserved
- Soy Sauce: ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- Brown Sugar: ⅓ cup
- Garlic: 3 cloves minced
- Ginger: 1 teaspoon grated
- Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon optional, for thickening
- Water: 2 tablespoons for cornstarch slurry, optional
- Green Onions: Chopped for garnish
- Sesame Seeds: Toasted for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken in an even layer at the bottom of your crockpot.
- Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice (reserve chunks for later), soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger.
- Combine: Pour the sauce over the chicken, ensuring every piece is well coated.
- Cook: Set the crockpot to low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): Remove the chicken and transfer the liquid to a saucepan. Heat over medium, and whisk in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water) until the sauce thickens.
- Add Pineapple: Stir the reserved pineapple chunks into the thickened sauce or directly into the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Serve: Return the chicken to the sauce, coat thoroughly, and serve over rice or noodles. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor.