Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken is made with tender chicken & pineapple slow cooked in a savory sauce that’s perfect topped with chow mein noodles! Flavorful chicken dinner everyone loves!
Crock pot pineapple chicken is a delicious and easy-to-prepare dish that can be enjoyed by anyone who loves sweet and savory flavors. This Hawaiian chicken recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen.
Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Thighs
Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken is a mouthwatering dish that is easy to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights. This dish is a combination of many incredible flavors that will leave your taste buds wanting more. The dish is made by slow-cooking chicken in a crockpot with a sweet and tangy sauce made from pineapple juice, broth, and soy sauce.
One of the best things about this recipe is that it requires minimal preparation time. Simply place the chicken in the crockpot, mix the sauce ingredients together, and pour the mixture over the chicken. Then, let the crockpot do the rest of the work. The chicken will cook low and slow, allowing the flavors to meld together and create a delicious meal!
Variations and Substitutions For Hawaiian Chicken
For those who want to switch things up with their Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken, there are a few variations and substitutions that can be made to the recipe.
- Meat Options: While chicken is the star of this recipe, it can be substituted with other meats such as pork or beef. Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the type of meat used.
- Soy Sauce: For a gluten-free option, tamari can be used instead of soy sauce. Coconut aminos can also be used as a soy sauce substitute for those who are soy intolerant.
- Vegetables: Add vegetables to the dish, try adding sliced bell peppers, onions, or carrots. These vegetables can be added at the beginning of the cooking process or towards the end for a crisper texture.
- Spiciness: For those who prefer a spicier dish, add some red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the recipe. Adjust the amount to suit personal taste preferences.
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Ingredients
Chicken: For the base of this dish, you need 5 chicken breasts or 8 chicken thighs.
Salt: Season the chicken lightly with ¼ tsp of salt.
Pepper: Add ¼ tsp of pepper for a touch of spicey flavor.
Pineapple: You will need one 8.25-oz can of pineapple slices for a lovely sweet and fruity taste.
Water chestnuts: Adding an 8-oz can of sliced water chestnuts gives nice crunchy texture in every bite.
Chicken broth: To keep the meat moist while cooking, you need 1 cup of chicken broth.
Ground ginger: Using ¼ tsp of ground ginger is a perfect combination of flavor in this recipe.
Garlic: For more earthy flavor, add in 1 clove of minced garlic, or 1 TBSP of premade minced garlic.
Sauce
Soy sauce: You will need ¼ cup of soy sauce for the base of the delicious sauce.
Cornstarch: Help thicken the sauce by adding ¼ cup of cornstarch.
Rice vinegar: Use 1 TBSP of rice vinegar for a mild and sweet flavor addition to this sauce recipe.
Garnish & Serving suggestion
Onion: Top this chicken with ½ cup of sliced green onions when serving.
Chow mein noodles: Add even more amazing texture by using 6 TBSP of chow mein noodles.
Rice: Serve this chicken over 6 cups of hot cooked rice for a full and sensational meal.
How to make Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
Assemble
Start by placing the chicken breasts in the slow cooker and sprinkle with salt and pepper, turning over to coat both sides.
Next, drain the can of pineapple and reserve the liquid syrup, then quarter the pineapple slices and arrange them over the chicken slices.
Also, drain the water chestnuts and pour those over the chicken as well.
In a small bowl, combine the reserved pineapple syrup, chicken broth, ginger, and minced garlic; whisk ingredients and then pour it over the chicken.
Cook
Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 8-9 hours or until chicken is tender. Then remove the chicken from the cooker with a slotted spoon; keep it warm in a covered bowl. Reserve the cooking liquid in cooker and increase the heat to high.
Serve
In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, cornstarch, and vinegar, stirring with a whisk until well blended. Proceed to stir the cornstarch mixture into cooking liquid in cooker. Cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring frequently.
Serve the chicken and sauce over rice. Top with green onions & chow mein noodles. Enjoy!
SWEET HAWAIIAN CROCK POT CHICKEN
Ingredients
- 5 chicken breasts or 8 chicken thighs
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 8.25 oz pineapple slices
- 8 oz sliced water chestnuts
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 1 clove minced garlic
Sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 TBSP rice vinegar
Serving suggestions & Garnish
- ½ cup sliced green onions
- 6 TBSP chow mein noodles
- 6 cups hot cooked rice
Instructions
- Assemble: Place chicken in slow cooker. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper, turning over to coat both sides.
- Drain the can of pineapple and reserve the liquid syrup, then quarter the pineapple slices and arrange them over the chicken slices.
- Drain the water chestnuts and pour those over the chicken as well.
- In a small bowl, combine the reserved pineapple syrup, chicken broth, ginger, and minced garlic; whisk ingredients and then pour it over the chicken.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low 8 to 9 hours or until chicken is tender. Remove chicken from cooker with a slotted spoon; keep warm. Reserve cooking liquid in cooker. Increase heat to high.
- In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, cornstarch, and vinegar, stirring with a whisk until well blended. Proceed to stir the cornstarch mixture into cooking liquid in cooker. Cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring frequently.
- Serve: Serve the chicken and sauce over rice. Top with green onions & chow mein noodles. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
📫 Save this recipe! Send it to your email! 📩
I consent to receiving emails from this site.
Serving Suggestions for Hawaiian Chicken
- Over Rice: One of the most popular ways to serve Sweet Hawaiian Chicken is over a bed of rice. The sweet and savory flavors of the chicken complement the neutral taste of the rice, creating a satisfying and filling meal. To add some color and texture to the dish, consider garnishing with chopped scallions or sesame seeds.
- In a Sandwich: Another way to enjoy this pineapple chicken is in a sandwich. Simply shred the chicken and pile it onto a toasted bun with some lettuce and tomato. For an extra kick of flavor, add a dollop of spicy mayo or some sliced jalapenos.
- With Vegetables: For a healthier option, consider serving sweet chicken with some steamed or roasted vegetables. Broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers all pair well with the flavors of the chicken. To make it a complete meal, add a side of quinoa or brown rice.
- Tacos or Nachos: If you’re looking for a fun and festive way to serve shredded pineapple chicken, try making tacos or nachos. Simply shred the chicken and pile it onto tortillas or tortilla chips with some shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and avocado. Top with a dollop of sour cream and some chopped cilantro for a burst of freshness.
How long is Hawaiian Crock Pot Chicken good for?
If you plan to eat the chicken within a few days, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The chicken should be cooled to room temperature before storing to prevent the container from becoming too warm and potentially causing bacteria growth.
When storing the chicken, make sure to label the container with the date it was cooked and use it within 3-4 days. To reheat, simply microwave or heat on the stovetop until warmed through.
Can I freeze this Slow Cooker Sweet Chicken?
For longer storage, the chicken can be frozen. Allow the chicken to cool to room temperature before transferring it to a freezer-safe container or bag. Label the container with the date it was cooked and freeze for up to 3 months.
When ready to eat, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
It’s important to note that freezing and thawing can affect the texture of the chicken, so it may not be as tender as when it was first cooked. However, it will still be safe to eat as long as it was properly stored and reheated.
Love slow cooker recipes? Try more of our favorite recipes here:
- Crockpot Pumpkin Apple Butter
- Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
- Slow Cooker Madras Lentils
- Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Soup
- Slow Cooker Maple BBQ Chicken with Pineapple
- Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches
- Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
- Slow cooker Orange Glazed Ham
- Crockpot Sausage Tortellini Soup
- Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
- Bold 3 Meat Chili
- Slow Cooker Pork Roast
- Easy Slow Cooker Sweet Pork
- Crockpot Beef Stew
Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken requires only a few ingredients and is prepared in a slow cooker. This chicken pineapple recipe is an easy-to-make meal that is perfect for busy weeknights.
Leave a Reply