This Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken is a delicious blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors — juicy chicken slow-cooked with pineapple, soy sauce, and brown sugar until tender and caramelized. It’s the perfect easy dinner that pairs beautifully with rice or noodles.
⏱ Prep Time
- Prep: 10 minutes
- Cook: 4–6 hours (Low) or 2–3 hours (High)
- Total: 4–6 hours
🍽 Servings
- Serves 4–6
🔧 Equipment
- 5–6 quart slow cooker (Crockpot)
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
🍍 Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into chunks)
- 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, with juice
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional garnish: chopped green onions or sesame seeds
🧂 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken: Chicken thighs also work great — they stay juicy and flavorful.
- Pineapple: Use canned pineapple chunks in 100% juice, not syrup.
- Soy sauce: Low-sodium helps balance the sweetness.
- Brown sugar: Adjust for sweetness — start with ¼ cup if you prefer less.
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and olive oil.
- Add pineapple chunks along with their juice and stir to combine.
2. Assemble in the Crockpot
- Place chicken pieces in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Pour the sauce and pineapple mixture over the top.
3. Cook
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours, until chicken is tender.
4. Optional Thickening Step
- For a thicker sauce:
- Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl.
- Stir into the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
5. Serve
- Serve over steamed white rice or noodles.
- Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds for a fresh finish.
💪 Nutrition Facts (per serving, approx.)
- Calories: 330
- Protein: 32g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 680mg
(Varies depending on ingredients used.)
💡 Tips & Variations
- Spicy twist: Add a teaspoon of sriracha or red pepper flakes.
- Vegetable add-ins: Toss in bell peppers or onions for extra flavor and color.
- Grilled version: Use the same sauce as a marinade and grill chicken instead.
- Freezer meal: Combine ingredients in a freezer bag, freeze flat, and dump into crockpot when ready to cook.
- Keto option: Use a sugar-free sweetener and coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
