Get ready to bring a taste of the islands right into your kitchen with Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken! This dish is a longtime favorite in my house, combining tender chicken with a perfectly balanced sweet and savory sauce, all thanks to the convenience of a slow cooker. In just a few easy steps, you’ll transform simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing meal bursting with tropical flavor. Trust me: once you try this, it’s bound to become your new weeknight go-to.

Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

I love how the ingredient list for Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken stays wonderfully simple, yet each element packs its own punch—whether it’s sweetness, tang, umami depth or just a flash of color. Most of these are pantry staples, but together, they deliver pure magic in every bite.

Chicken thighs or breasts: Boneless, skinless pieces make shredding a breeze and soak up all those gorgeous island flavors.
Pineapple juice: The tropical backbone that keeps the chicken mouthwateringly juicy and adds a subtle tartness.
Brown sugar: Balances out the soy and pineapple with a mellow, caramel sweetness.
Soy sauce: Lends a salty depth and rich color to the sauce—don’t skip it!
Minced garlic: Adds bold, aromatic undertones to every single bite.
Ground ginger: A gentle, warming spice that brightens up the whole dish.
Red pepper flakes (optional): If you like a gentle kick, tossing these in will wake up your tastebuds.
Cornstarch (mixed with water): Turns the cooking liquid into a glossy, thick sauce that clings to every morsel of chicken.
Chopped green onions and sesame seeds (optional): Sprinkle them on top for a finishing touch of color and crunch.

How to Make Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

Step 1: Layer the Chicken

Start by arranging your boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts right at the bottom of your slow cooker. This allows them to cook evenly and soak up maximum flavor from the sauce you’ll add next.

Step 2: Mix That Irresistible Sauce

In a medium bowl, grab a whisk and combine the pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes if you’re craving a little heat. Give it a good stir so the sugar dissolves and the flavors are mingling.

Step 3: Pour and Cook

Pour your beautifully balanced sauce directly over the chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring every piece is nestled in that sweet and savory goodness. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken becomes gorgeously tender.

Step 4: Shred and Add the Slurry

Once your kitchen smells like a tropical paradise and the chicken is fork-tender, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it or cut it into chunks. Then, mix the cornstarch with water to create a quick slurry and stir that into the sauce left in the slow cooker.

Step 5: Thicken and Finish

Return the shredded or chunked chicken back into the slow cooker, stir to make sure it’s coated, and cook on high for another 15 to 20 minutes. The sauce will thicken up slightly and cling deliciously to every bite.

How to Serve Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

Garnishes

A sprinkle of chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds brings a fresh pop of color and a gentle crunch, making your Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken look and taste restaurant-worthy. If you’re feeling extra tropical, a few pineapple chunks tossed on top really seal the deal.

Side Dishes

This dish is just begging to be served over a mound of fluffy steamed white rice, which soaks up all that dreamy sauce. If you want to round out your meal, add steamed broccoli, crisp snap peas, or a refreshing tropical fruit salad on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to impress your guests? Serve the chicken in hollowed-out pineapple halves or heap it onto slider buns for a sweet spin on sandwiches. For a fun twist on taco night, stuff the chicken into warm tortillas with slaw and extra sauce.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let any leftover Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and flavorful for up to four days, ready to make lunch or dinner a breeze.

Freezing

This chicken freezes beautifully! Transfer cooled portions to freezer-safe bags or containers, label them, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge for best results whenever a craving hits.

Reheating

To reheat, simply warm the chicken gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of water or pineapple juice if the sauce has thickened too much. With minimal effort, it’ll taste just as good as day one.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Absolutely! Both boneless skinless chicken breasts and thighs work beautifully in this dish. Thighs tend to be juicier and more flavorful, but breasts will yield a lighter result that’s still supremely tasty.

Is Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken very spicy?

Not unless you want it to be. The red pepper flakes add just a gentle heat, and you can adjust or omit them for a completely mild, family-friendly meal.

Can I add vegetables to the slow cooker?

Definitely. Bell peppers, snap peas, or even carrot slices would be delicious. Just add them during the last hour of cooking so they stay bright and tender-crisp.

What’s the best way to shred the chicken?

Once it’s cooked and tender, you can use two forks to shred the chicken quickly, or chop it into bite-sized pieces if you prefer larger chunks for texture.

Can I double this recipe for a crowd?

Yes, Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken is perfect for feeding a crowd! Just double all the ingredients (ensure your slow cooker is large enough) and allow a little extra time for everything to come up to temperature.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving something easy, crowd-pleasing, and bursting with sunny tropical flavor, you simply have to try Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken. Whether you’re feeding family on a busy night or wowing friends at your next get-together, this recipe is a sure way to brighten up any table—give it a try and savor a mini getaway, one forkful at a time.

Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 26 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken recipe brings a taste of the tropics to your dinner table with juicy chicken cooked in a sweet and savory pineapple soy sauce. Perfect for a busy day, this dish is made effortlessly in the slow cooker.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken:

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

Sauce:

1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons water)

Garnish:

Chopped green onions and sesame seeds

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Instructions

Place the Chicken: Put the chicken in the slow cooker.
Make the Sauce: Whisk pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Pour over the chicken.
Cook: Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours until chicken is cooked.
Shred the Chicken: Remove chicken, shred or cut into chunks.
Thicken Sauce: Mix cornstarch with water, stir into sauce, return chicken to cooker, and cook for 15-20 minutes.
Serve: Serve over rice, garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.