Description
This Sweet Hawaiian Crock Pot Chicken is a deliciously tender and flavorful dish featuring juicy chicken cooked slowly with a tropical blend of pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, and fresh vegetables. Perfectly balanced between sweet and savory, it’s an easy-to-make, comforting meal ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into large chunks
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Vegetables and Thickeners
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, and minced garlic until well combined to create a sweet and savory sauce base.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Place the chicken pieces in a 6-quart crock pot, then pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken to coat all pieces thoroughly.
- Add vegetables and pineapple: Layer the chopped red and green bell peppers, sliced onion, and pineapple chunks on top of the chicken and sauce mixture without stirring.
- Cook the chicken: Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 5–6 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and fully cooked.
- Make cornstarch slurry: About 30 minutes before the cooking time ends, mix the cornstarch with cold water in a small bowl until smooth.
- Thicken the sauce: Uncover the crock pot, stir the cornstarch slurry into the chicken and sauce mixture, then continue cooking uncovered for the last 30 minutes to let the sauce thicken slightly.
- Serve: Serve the sweet Hawaiian chicken hot over steamed rice, optionally garnished with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful results or chicken breasts for a leaner option.
- Adjust the sweetness by reducing the amount of brown sugar if desired.
- Leftovers keep well and often taste even better the next day, making this recipe great for meal prep.
- For gluten-free diets, make sure to use gluten-free soy sauce to keep the dish compliant.
