Sweet Hawaiian Crock Pot Chicken Recipe
Introduction
Sweet Hawaiian Crock Pot Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that combines tender chicken with a tangy pineapple sauce. Perfect for busy days, this slow cooker recipe fills your home with a delightful aroma and serves up a taste of the islands.

Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1 can (8 oz) pineapple chunks, drained
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooked rice for serving
- Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then place it in the slow cooker.
- Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and ground ginger. Pour this mixture over the chicken.
- Step 3: Add the drained pineapple chunks and sliced red bell pepper to the slow cooker. Cover with the lid.
- Step 4: Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken is tender.
- Step 5: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water until smooth, then stir into the sauce in the slow cooker. Cook on high for about 15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Step 6: Return the chicken to the slow cooker, coat it with the thickened sauce, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Step 7: Serve the chicken and sauce over cooked rice. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Tips & Variations
- For extra heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha to the sauce.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat.
- Substitute low-sodium soy sauce to reduce saltiness.
- Try adding chopped carrots or snap peas for extra veggies and color.
- Leftover chicken works great in sandwiches or tacos the next day.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat to prevent drying out. You can also freeze the chicken and sauce for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
It’s best to use thawed chicken for even cooking. If using frozen chicken, increase the cooking time and check for doneness before serving.
What can I serve with Sweet Hawaiian Crock Pot Chicken?
This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed white or brown rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
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Sweet Hawaiian Crock Pot Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Sweet Hawaiian Crock Pot Chicken recipe offers a tender and flavorful slow-cooked dish combining the tropical sweetness of pineapple with savory soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Perfectly cooked chicken mixed with colorful bell peppers and a thickened, tangy sauce is ideal served over steamed rice and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds for a delicious Hawaiian-inspired meal with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1 can (8 oz) pineapple chunks, drained
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
Thickening Mixture
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Additional Ingredients
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- Cooked rice for serving
- Green onions, sliced for garnish
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt and pepper and place them evenly in the slow cooker.
- Make the Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and ground ginger until well combined. Pour this mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Add Pineapple and Bell Pepper: Distribute the drained pineapple chunks and thinly sliced red bell pepper over the sauce and chicken. Cover the slow cooker with its lid.
- Slow Cook: Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Thicken the Sauce: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and set aside. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker, then cover and cook on high for about 15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Finish Chicken in Sauce: Return the chicken pieces to the thickened sauce, ensuring they are well coated. Cook for an additional 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Serve: Serve the Sweet Hawaiian Crock Pot Chicken over cooked rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Use either chicken breasts or thighs based on your preference; thighs tend to be more moist and tender after slow cooking.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar to suit your taste.
- For a gluten-free option, use tamari instead of regular soy sauce.
- Do not add the cornstarch slurry at the beginning, as it will break down during the long cooking time; instead, add it towards the end to thicken the sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Keywords: Slow Cooker chicken, Hawaiian chicken, pineapple chicken, sweet and savory chicken, crock pot recipes, easy chicken dinner

