Description
Hawaiian crockpot chicken brings tropical flavors to dinner tables across North America. Juicy chicken thighs simmer in a tangy pineapple sauce, creating a simple meal that beckons you to savor each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs (907 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Fruits and Vegetables:
- 1 can (20 ounces / 567 grams) pineapple chunks, drained (reserve juice)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup cold water
Garnish and Serving:
- Cooked rice
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Position chicken breasts or thighs evenly across the bottom of the crockpot.
- Distribute pineapple chunks and chopped bell peppers uniformly over the chicken layer.
- Create the sauce by whisking together pineapple juice, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, freshly grated ginger, and minced garlic in a mixing bowl until thoroughly blended.
- Generously pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and vegetable arrangement, ensuring complete coverage.
- Secure the crockpot lid and slow cook at 200°F for 6-8 hours on low setting or 3-4 hours on high setting, until chicken reaches complete tenderness.
- Extract the cooked chicken and meticulously shred using two forks, then return the shredded meat back into the crockpot.
- Prepare cornstarch slurry by combining cornstarch with cold water until smooth and lump-free.
- Incorporate the cornstarch mixture into the crockpot, stirring thoroughly to integrate and enhance sauce consistency.
- Continue cooking on high temperature for an additional 15-20 minutes to achieve desired sauce thickness.
- Plate the sweet Hawaiian chicken atop steamed rice, garnishing with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for enhanced flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Chicken Selection Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for even cooking and easier shredding.
- Sauce Balance Adjust barbecue and soy sauce quantities to control sweetness and saltiness according to personal taste preferences.
- Dietary Modifications Swap soy sauce for coconut aminos to make the recipe gluten-free and reduce sodium content for health-conscious individuals.
- Temperature Control Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F, preventing overcooking and maintaining tender texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg