Serve this easy, slow cooker meal over a bed of rice for a weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
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❤️ Why you'll love it
- A minimal effort, quick meal that tastes fun and exciting
- Tropical flavors and a thick, tangy sauce make your mouth water
- A new way to cook skinless chicken breasts
With just a few, simple ingredients and not much time at all, you can enjoy a delicious dinner and still have time left to relax. This sweet Hawaiian crockpot chicken recipe tastes as good as vacation feels—it's bound to be a new family favorite.
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.
Just dump all the ingredients into the crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours.
🥫 Storage
Great recipes, for me, must store well—and this crockpot Hawaiian chicken does just that! It's one of those super easy meals that always hits the spot on busy weeknights.
In the fridge, leftovers will last for about four days. However, you can freeze them and they'll keep for up to three months. Either way, simply portion the leftovers into an airtight container or freezer bag.
Let the sweet Hawaiian chicken thaw in the fridge (if frozen) and heat it in the microwave until warm. If the sauce gets too thick, you can loosen it up with a little bit of liquid—chicken stock, orange juice, or even some water.
The chunks of pineapple do get a little softer after storing and reheating. They blend right in with the sweet and savory sauce, though, so we think it's just as tasty!
📖 Variations
- Use any type of chicken you'd like (breasts or thighs are best) as long as it's boneless and skinless. Chicken tenderloins will work too, but can dry out if left to cook too long.
- Pork goes really well with the tropical pineapple flavor. Next time, swap the chicken for boneless pork chops—try to buy really thick ones, though.
- You can use a pork shoulder, but you'll need to cook it for 5-6 hours on high or 8-10 on low.
- Feel free to stir in extra vegetables, like a package of peas or corn.
- Sprinkle the chicken with garlic power for a quick pop of flavor. Smoked paprika or ginger gives it a fun spin, too.
- Add red pepper flakes for subtle spice, or a bit of cayenne for more heat.
- You can switch up the flavor of the sauce by using a different type of BBQ sauce. Or, make your own! Some people like to use a combination of ketchup, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, and soy sauce or coconut aminos.
- Don't forget the garnish! We love green onions, but sometimes I'll add sesame seeds or some orange zest.
💭 Things to know
Expert Tip: I like to use a frozen veggie blend (it has onions as well as green and red bell peppers) but you can use fresh. Dice them and throw them in the pot with everything else!
- For extra tender chicken, brine it in a saltwater solution for a day or two before cooking.
- You can cut the chicken into pieces, but it might not take quite as long to cook. Start checking for doneness by temperature between 6-8 hours, if you want.
- This meal is fine left on the warm setting if you won't be home right away.
- For a complete meal, serve it over white or brown rice. Cauliflower rice is good, too, if you're looking for a low-carb option!
- Slow cooker Hawaiian chicken is easy to prep ahead of time or in bulk. Portion the ingredients into plastic bags and freeze. The night before you want to throw everything in the crockpot, bring it to the refrigerator to thaw.
👩🍳 FAQs
I prefer the can of pineapple chunks because it has the right amount of juice to make a delicious sauce. However, you probably could get away with using fresh pineapple—it'll release juice as it cooks. If the sweet Hawaiian chicken looks too dry during the last hour of cooking, add a little broth or fruit juice.
Bummer! Typically, it's because the crockpot is not greased well enough. Use a non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. If the food still sticks, you can use a crockpot liner.
Oh, yeah—it's one of our favorite meals no matter the weather!! The delicious pineapple flavor tastes refreshing on hot summer days, but it's also hearty and comforting during slow cooker season!
📚 Related recipes
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- In this Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken recipe, the moist, dark meat chicken thighs simmer all day in a delicious, savory, oniony sauce.
- Texas Two-Step Salsa Chicken requires just two steps of prep, but the best part? You can freeze it before or after cooking so it's truly effortless.
🍽️ Serve with...
🥄 Restless Chipotle recommends
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📞 The last word
I've made this with boneless pork, too. It always comes out delicious!
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
Print Pin Recipe SaveEquipment Needed
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, or thighs
- 15.5 ounces pineapple chunks, in juice - don't drain
- 2 cups mixed onions and peppers, I use frozen to keep it easy
- 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce, I used Sweet Baby Rays Hawaiian BBQ
- green onion for garnish
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Instructions
- Spray the inside of a crockpot with no stick spray.
- Add all ingredients.
- Cover.
- Cook on low for 8 hours.
- Garnish sliced green onions.
- Serve breasts whole, cut in a large dice, or shred as desired.
Notes
- I like to use a frozen veggie blend (it has onions as well as green and red bell peppers and saves time) but you can use fresh. Dice them and throw them in the pot with everything else!
- For extra tender chicken, brine it in a saltwater solution for a day or two before cooking.
- You can cut the chicken into pieces, but it might not take quite as long to cook. Start checking for doneness by temperature between 6-8 hours, if you want.
- This meal is fine left on the warm setting if you won't be home right away.
- For a complete meal, serve it over white or brown rice. Cauliflower rice is good, too, if you're looking for a low-carb option!
- Slow cooker Hawaiian chicken is easy to prep ahead of time or in bulk. Portion the ingredients into plastic bags and freeze. The night before you want to throw everything in the crockpot, bring it to the refrigerator to thaw.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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