This Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken with pineapple will rock your world! Not only with its blend of sweet and savory flavors, but also because it’s the easiest “set it and forget it” meal. With only five ingredients and our trusty slow cooker, it’s the ultimate busy-mom solution!
Preparing juicy, tender chicken for dinner can turn any mom into a superhero, especially when it’s sweet Hawaiian Crockpot chicken! This tropical, versatile dish is an exciting switch-up from those routine meals on busy weeknights, and your kids will love it. Serve over rice, as a slider, in a chicken salad bowl, alongside grilled vegetables, or wrapped in a tortilla – it’s delicious every single way, every single time.
But perhaps best of all, this easy-breezy sweet Hawaiian Crockpot chicken recipe comes together with zero hassle, thanks to our handy-dandy slow cooker. Throw together just five simple ingredients in the morning, and by the time the sun sets, you’ll have the most flavorful chicken coated in a sweet and savory glaze, ready to dig into.
So without further adieu, here's how to make this mouth-watering Crockpot chicken!
For more Crockpot/slow cooker recipes, check out my Guinness Slow Cooker Pot Roast, Crockpot Green Bean Casserole, and Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup.
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Why You'll Love It
The flavors are incredible, it’s ridiculously easy to make, and leftovers taste even better!
- Perfectly Sweet and Savory. The secret to this sweet Hawaiian chicken recipe is in the balance of sweet and savory flavors. The broth and soy sauce, combined with pineapple and brown sugar, work in perfect harmony to wow your taste buds!
- Convenience Factor. Our slow cookers get another chance to shine. Dump the ingredients in, fire it up, and step away as it goes to work. Maximum results for minimal effort!
- Efficient Meal Prep Opportunity. Prepare a big batch of sweet Hawaiian Crockpot chicken on the weekends to make multiple easy meals throughout the week. Pop all ingredients into a ziplock bag and refrigerate or freeze until you are ready to cook!
Important Ingredients
Don’t be deceived by how it tastes! This restaurant-quality dish calls for simple, everyday ingredients you can easily find at your local grocery store.
- Chicken Breasts: This protein base comes alive in the slow cooker. It’s braised in broth, absorbing the sweet and savory flavors. I prefer boneless skinless chicken breasts for tender and juicy bites, but boneless, skinless chicken thighs are great, too.
- Chicken Stock: Provides a savory foundation and sauce base that keeps the chicken moist, tender, and packed with complex flavor during the long cooking time. Don't have chicken stock? Sub chicken broth.
- Crushed Pineapple: Delivers the “Hawaiian” tropical flair with its sweet juice and fruit bits. I prefer the crushed pineapple from the can.
- Soy Sauce: I love soy sauce for its rich, umami depth, and it’s ideal for complementing sweet pineapple. Plus, it’s a nod to Asian-inspired cuisine that pulls this dish together.
- Cornstarch: Mixed with water to make a thickening agent called a “slurry.” This mixture is added at the end of cooking to bulk up and add creaminess to the Hawaiian chicken sauce.
- Salt and Pepper: Basic but essential inclusions to round out the sweet and savory flavor profile.
- Green onions, sesame seeds, cilantro, and pickled red onion garnish for a final layer of texture, flavor, and visual appeal.
Swaps and Substitutions
Before you head to the grocery store to grab a forgotten ingredient, check your pantry for one of these easy swaps.
- Other meats. This would be absolutely delicious with ribs, pork, or even turkey breast!
- Pineapple. I recommend canned crushed pineapple for its extra-sweet juice. However, you can use pineapple tidbits or even fresh pineapple chunks if you’re in a crunch. Be sure to add an extra splash of broth if using fresh fruit.
- Add extra veggies. Pack in the nutrients with any veggie you like. Red bell peppers, green bell peppers, broccoli, water chestnuts, spinach, and more!
- Swap out the brown sugar for maple syrup or honey for a delicious, refined-sugar-free sweetness. For a more mellow flavor profile, you can also omit it.
- Flavor Enhancements. Ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes take the flavor to new heights, as does sriracha or even a splash of rice vinegar.
Full Recipe Below
Find the full list of ingredients & measurements below!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Step 1: Add the crushed pineapples, chicken broth, soy sauce, salt, pepper, bell pepper, and chicken breasts to a crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Step 2: One hour before it's done cooking, whisk the water and cornstarch mixture until smooth. Stir it into the crockpot mixture and complete the cooking.
- Step 3: Shred the chicken, spoon over buns or brown rice, garnish with cilantro and pickled red onion and enjoy!
Top Tip
Cornstarch slurries are key to making a thick sauce. Slow-cooker sauces stay thin even after hours of cooking, so adding a cornstarch slurry is essential. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch and water, and stir it into the sauce at the end of cooking. As it heats up, it’ll thicken.
Tips for the Perfect Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
Follow my time-tested tips, and you’ll whip up this sweet Hawaiian crockpot chicken recipe perfectly every single time!
- Don’t overcook. Lift the Crockpot lid to check progress after 3-4 hours of cooking, even if you’re on the low setting, to make sure the chicken doesn’t dry out.
- Go easy on the broth. Too much liquid and the sauce will thin out and lose flavor. We’re going for a sauce, not a soup.
- Make a big batch of Crockpot sweet Hawaiian chicken for Sunday dinner, then repurpose it during the week. Leftovers taste even better!
- Leftovers will keep 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container, and in the freezer for up to three months in a freezer-safe container or bag. Defrost it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of broth or pineapple juice.
Recipe Variations
There’s always a fun, delicious way to enjoy sweet Hawaiian Crockpot chicken. You’ll never get bored!
- BBQ Hawaiian Chicken: Stir in ½ cup of your favorite BBQ sauce to add a smoky flair. This is a massive hit at summer cookouts!
- Hawaiian Chicken Sliders: Serve Hawaiian chicken on King's Hawaiian buns for a handheld version of this dish.
- Serve Over Rice: Top a bed of brown, white, or cauliflower rice with Crockpot sweet Hawaiian chicken for a healthy, hearty meal. The rice soaks up that delicious sauce – so good!
Related Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken
Equipment
- Crock pot
Ingredients
- 3-4 chicken breasts
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 can crushed pineapple
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- green onions sesame seeds, cilantro, and pickled red onion for garnish
- Kings Hawaiian buns if you want to turn this into sliders or serve over brown rice
Instructions
- In a crock pot add the crushed pineapple, chicken stock, soy sauce, salt, pepper, bell pepper and chicken breasts.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- 1 hour before it's done cooking, stir in the cornstarch/water mixture and give it a good stir.
- When finished cooking, shred the chicken and serve on buns or over brown rice.
- Top with cilantro and pickled red onion!
Notes
- Refrigerating: Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Freezing: In a freezer-safe container or bag, leftovers will keep for up to 3 months. Defrost them overnight in the fridge until thawed.
- Reheating: Reheat on the stove or in the microwave. If frozen, let thaw on the counter overnight first.
- Cornstarch slurries are key to making a thick sauce. Slow-cooker sauces stay thin even after hours of cooking, so adding a cornstarch slurry is essential. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch and water, and stir it into the sauce at the end of cooking. As it heats up, it’ll thicken.
- Don’t overcook. Lift the Crockpot lid to check progress after 3-4 hours of cooking, even if you’re on the low setting, to make sure the chicken doesn’t dry out.
- Go easy on the broth. Too much liquid and the sauce will thin out and lose flavor. We’re going for a sauce, not a soup.
- Make a big batch of Crockpot sweet Hawaiian chicken for Sunday dinner, then repurpose it during the week. Leftovers taste even better!
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