Description
Sweet Hawaiian Crock Pot Chicken: juicy chicken cooked in a tropical pineapple sauce, perfect for a quick, comforting and crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (900g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup (240ml) pineapple juice
- ½ cup (120ml) low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup (60ml) ketchup
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 can (20oz/565g) pineapple chunks, drained (reserve juice for sauce)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup (60ml) cold water
- Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Sauce Base In a medium bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger until the sugar is completely dissolved. This creates the foundation of the sweet-savory Hawaiian sauce that will infuse your chicken with island flavors. Take a moment to taste and adjust – if you prefer more sweetness, add a tablespoon more brown sugar; for more tang, add an extra splash of vinegar.
- Step 2: Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker Place your chicken pieces in an even layer at the bottom of your 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well-coated. The chicken should be mostly submerged in the liquid to keep it moist throughout cooking. At this stage, resist the urge to add the bell peppers and pineapple chunks – they’ll go in later to maintain their texture.
- Step 3: Set Cooking Time Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through. The longer, slower cooking method yields more tender results, but both timing options will work wonderfully for this Sweet Hawaiian Crock Pot Chicken. If you’re home, give it a gentle stir halfway through to ensure even flavor distribution.
- Step 4: Add Vegetables and Pineapple Approximately 45 minutes before the end of the cooking time, add the bell pepper chunks and drained pineapple to the slow cooker. Gently stir to combine with the chicken and sauce. This timing allows the vegetables to soften slightly while maintaining their vibrant color and some texture, and the pineapple to warm through without disintegrating.
- Step 5: Thicken the Sauce In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth to create a slurry. During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir this mixture into the slow cooker. Replace the lid and continue cooking until the sauce has thickened to a beautiful, glossy consistency that coats the back of a spoon. This transformation elevates your **Sweet Hawaiian Crock Pot Chicken** from good to extraordinary.
- Step 6: Serve and Garnish Once the sauce has thickened, your Sweet Hawaiian Crock Pot Chicken is ready to serve! Spoon it over steamed rice or cauliflower rice, then garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for visual appeal and added texture. The contrast between the vibrant sauce, colorful vegetables, and fresh garnish creates an irresistible presentation.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg