Dreamy Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Recipe for Busy Days

Craving a mouthwatering sweet hawaiian crockpot chicken that practically melts in your mouth?

Succulent pieces of tender meat dance with tropical flavors, creating an irresistible island-inspired meal.

Pineapple and savory seasonings blend perfectly in this simple slow cooker recipe.

Rich, caramelized sauce coats each chicken morsel with delectable sweetness.

Minimal prep work means maximum enjoyment for busy home cooks seeking a delightful dinner solution.

Juicy, fragrant, and bursting with authentic Hawaiian-inspired taste, this dish promises to become a household favorite.

Grab your ingredients and let the magic of slow cooking transport you to a culinary paradise.

Why Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Feels Like A Treat

• Simplify Slow Cooking: Crockpot method transforms complex Hawaiian chicken into a stress-free meal with minimal hands-on preparation.
• Burst with Tropical Flavors: Pineapple juice, honey, and fresh pineapple chunks create an authentic Hawaiian taste profile that transports your palate to island shores.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Tender chicken with sweet and tangy sauce appeals to both kids and adults, making it a perfect crowd-pleasing dinner option that requires zero culinary expertise.
• Nutritious and Delicious: Protein-packed chicken combined with fresh ingredients provides a balanced meal that satisfies hunger while delivering exciting flavor combinations.

What You’ll Need For Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

• Chicken Breasts, Chicken Thighs: Tender cuts of meat that will become succulent and flavorful after slow cooking in a sweet and tangy Hawaiian-inspired sauce.

• Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic ingredients that provide a robust and warm foundation to the dish's overall taste profile.

• Pineapple Juice: Adds tropical sweetness and helps tenderize the chicken.
• Soy Sauce: Provides a savory umami depth to the marinade.
• Brown Sugar, Honey: Create a rich, caramelized sweetness that balances the savory elements.
• Rice Vinegar: Introduces a subtle tangy note to brighten the overall flavor.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the chicken.

• Cornstarch: Helps create a glossy, thick sauce that coats the chicken.
• Fresh Pineapple Chunks: Adds bursts of tropical sweetness and textural contrast.
• Green Onions: Provides a fresh, sharp garnish that adds color and a mild onion flavor.

How To Make Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

Cleanse chicken breasts and thighs under cool water. Pat them completely dry using paper towels to ensure perfect seasoning absorption.

Step 2: Create Flavor Base

Finely chop garlic and ginger into tiny pieces, releasing their aromatic essence and preparing for an explosion of flavor.

Step 3: Mix Liquid Marinade

• Pineapple juice
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Honey
• Rice vinegar

Whisk until the mixture transforms into a smooth, glossy liquid.

Step 4: Coat Chicken

Gently place chicken pieces into the liquid marinade, ensuring each piece gets fully embraced by the sweet and tangy sauce.

Step 5: Season Generously

• Minced garlic
• Minced ginger
• Salt
• Black pepper

Distribute seasonings evenly to guarantee maximum flavor in every bite.

Step 6: Slow Cook

Cover crockpot and set to low heat. Allow chicken to simmer and become tender for 4-5 hours until reaching 165°F internal temperature.

Step 7: Add Tropical Twist

During final 30 minutes, toss fresh pineapple chunks into the crockpot, introducing bursts of tropical sweetness.

Step 8: Prepare Serving

Remove chicken and transfer to a beautiful serving platter. Keep cooking liquid in crockpot.

Step 9: Create Glossy Sauce

Whisk cornstarch into remaining liquid, transforming it into a luxurious, clingy sauce.

Step 10: Final Touch

Pour thickened sauce over chicken. Sprinkle chopped green onions on top for a vibrant, fresh garnish.

Step 11: Serve and Enjoy

Plate immediately while hot, letting the Hawaiian-inspired flavors transport diners to a culinary paradise.

Tips To Get Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Just Right

• Dry Chicken Thoroughly: Ensure chicken is completely dry before cooking to achieve better seasoning adhesion and promote even browning.
• Balance Marinade Flavors: Adjust sweet and tangy ingredients to create a harmonious taste profile that complements the chicken's natural richness.
• Monitor Cooking Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches 165°F for safe and perfectly tender results.
• Enhance Sauce Consistency: Gradually add cornstarch to create a smooth, glossy sauce without lumps, ensuring a professional finish.
• Add Fresh Pineapple Last: Incorporate fresh pineapple chunks during the final cooking stage to preserve their vibrant texture and prevent overcooking.

Yummy Variations Of Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

• Hawaiian Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Shred the slow-cooked chicken and serve in crisp lettuce cups for a low-carb, refreshing alternative perfect for light summer meals.
• Spicy Pineapple Chicken: Add sriracha or red pepper flakes to the marinade for a fiery kick that transforms the sweet Hawaiian profile into a bold, zesty dish.
• Gluten-Free Version: Replace soy sauce with coconut aminos and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free, making this recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Instant Pot Adaptation: Convert the slow cooker recipe to an electric pressure cooker, reducing cooking time to 15-20 minutes while maintaining the same rich, tropical flavors.

Top Pairings For Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

• Pair Pineapple Slow-Cooker Chicken with Tropical White Wine: Crisp New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc complements the dish's sweet and tangy profile, cutting through the richness with its bright acidity.
• Serve Alongside Coconut Rice: Fluffy coconut rice creates a perfect base that absorbs the glossy sauce while echoing the tropical Hawaiian flavors of the chicken.
• Create a Bright Side Salad: Fresh cucumber and mango salad with a light lime dressing provides a cool, refreshing contrast to the warm, sweet chicken, balancing the meal's rich textures.
• Recommend Hawaiian-Style Beverage Pairing: Chilled passion fruit iced tea offers a complementary tropical essence that enhances the dish's sweet and savory notes, creating a complete island-inspired dining experience.

How To Keep Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Fresh

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Place chicken and sauce together to maintain moisture. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
• Transfer chicken and sauce to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish. Add a splash of water or reserved sauce to prevent drying. Cover and heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken in a baking dish with a little sauce or water. Cover with foil to lock in moisture.

Helpful FAQs About Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

• What ingredients give this Hawaiian chicken its distinct flavor?

The combination of pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, and rice vinegar creates a sweet, tangy marinade that defines the Hawaiian-style taste profile.

• How does slow cooking impact the chicken's texture?

Slow cooking at low heat for 4-5 hours breaks down the chicken’s proteins, resulting in incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat that absorbs all the delicious marinade flavors.

• Can I use different cuts of chicken for this recipe?

While the recipe works best with chicken breasts and thighs, you can substitute boneless chicken pieces like drumsticks or even whole chicken quarters for similar results.

Lush Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes – 5 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hawaiian paradise meets comfort food in this succulent sweet hawaiian crockpot chicken that sings with tropical flavors. Juicy chicken pieces marinate in a tangy-sweet sauce, promising a quick dinner solution that transports you to island bliss with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 0.5 lbs chicken thighs

Sauces and Liquids:

• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 0.5 cup soy sauce
• 0.25 cup brown sugar
• 0.25 cup honey
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar

Produce and Spices:

• 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp cornstarch (for thickening)

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly cleanse and pat dry the chicken breasts and thighs, preparing them for a flavorful slow-cooking adventure.
2. Mince the garlic and ginger, creating a fragrant base that will infuse the dish with bold, aromatic notes.
3. In the crockpot, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, and rice vinegar until the mixture is smooth and well-integrated.
4. Gently nestle the chicken pieces into the liquid mixture, ensuring each piece is generously coated with the sweet and tangy marinade.
5. Sprinkle minced garlic, ginger, salt, and black pepper over the chicken, distributing the seasonings evenly for maximum flavor penetration.
6. Cover the crockpot and set to low heat, allowing the chicken to simmer and tenderize for 4-5 hours until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
7. During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add fresh pineapple chunks to introduce bursts of tropical sweetness and texture.
8. Remove the chicken and transfer to a serving platter, reserving the cooking liquid in the crockpot.
9. Whisk cornstarch into the remaining liquid to create a luscious, glossy sauce that will cling perfectly to the meat.
10. Pour the thickened sauce over the chicken, garnishing with chopped green onions for a vibrant, fresh finish.
11. Serve hot, allowing the sweet Hawaiian flavors to transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise.

Notes

• Perfectly tenderize chicken by patting it completely dry before seasoning, which helps achieve a better sear and deeper flavor absorption.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting spices like adding red pepper flakes or sriracha for those craving extra kick without overwhelming the sweet Hawaiian profile.
• Transform this recipe into a low-carb option by replacing brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener and serving over cauliflower rice instead of traditional white rice.
• Maximize meal prep efficiency by preparing the sauce mixture the night before and storing it in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and intensify overnight.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4-5 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg