Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

The beauty of Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken lies in how effortlessly it comes together, yet delivers big on flavor. As the chicken slowly cooks, it absorbs the sweet, tangy goodness from the pineapple and the rich savory notes of the soy sauce and garlic. The result is melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, with every bite bursting with a perfect balance of sweet and salty. The aroma that fills your kitchen as it simmers is intoxicating, with hints of ginger and a whisper of tropical fruit that make it feel like a mini vacation in a dish.

What’s even better? This recipe is incredibly versatile. You can easily swap out ingredients based on what you have on hand or what you’re craving. Try adding a dash of chili flakes for a little kick or throw in some bell peppers for an extra crunch. And if you love the idea of a saucy dish, feel free to double the sauce and let it reduce to a thick, sticky glaze that coats the chicken perfectly. It’s one of those meals that never feels like a hassle, but always feels special, no matter what occasion you’re serving it for.

Key Ingredients in Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

This dish comes together beautifully with just a handful of ingredients, each one playing a key role in creating that irresistible balance of flavors. From the tender chicken to the zesty pineapple juice and savory soy sauce, every bite is a little taste of paradise. Here’s a closer look at the essential ingredients that make this recipe so special:

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: The star of the show! Chicken breasts cook up tender and juicy, absorbing all the delicious flavors from the sauce as they simmer in the crockpot.
• Pineapple Juice: This tropical liquid adds a touch of sweetness and tang, making the dish feel like a mini vacation with every bite. It’s the base of the sauce that helps infuse the chicken with that bright, fruity flavor.
• Brown Sugar: This ingredient adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness that balances out the acidity of the pineapple juice and apple cider vinegar. It helps to create that luscious, glossy sauce that clings to the chicken perfectly.
• Soy Sauce: The salty, umami punch in this dish. Soy sauce adds depth to the sweetness, ensuring a savory foundation that enhances all the other flavors without overpowering them.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: A touch of acidity that cuts through the sweetness and brightens up the dish. It also helps tenderize the chicken, making it even more melt-in-your-mouth.
• Ketchup: The secret ingredient for a hint of tang and a bit of a familiar, comforting flavor. It balances out the other ingredients and gives the sauce a little extra richness.
• Grated Ginger: Fresh ginger provides a zesty warmth and depth that complements the sweetness of the pineapple and the richness of the soy sauce. It’s the perfect aromatic note to round out the dish.
• Garlic Powder: A pinch of garlic powder adds a savory depth and enhances the overall flavor profile, without taking over the dish.
• Onion Powder: Another savory element that works in harmony with the garlic, creating a well-rounded base of flavor that’s both sweet and savory.
• Red Pepper Flakes: For those who like a little heat, these flakes bring a mild spice that complements the sweetness. It’s just enough to give the dish a kick without overpowering the other flavors.
• Cornstarch: This helps thicken the sauce, turning it into a silky, luscious glaze that coats the chicken perfectly. It ensures that the sauce sticks to every bite.
• Water: Used to dissolve the cornstarch and thin out the sauce slightly, allowing it to reduce and thicken to the perfect consistency as it simmers in the crockpot.

How to Make Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

Serving Suggestions for Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

1. Over Steamed White Rice: This is the classic choice, and for good reason. The fluffy rice soaks up that luscious sauce, making each bite a perfect combination of savory, sweet, and tangy. It’s the kind of dish that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds!

2. On a Bed of Crisp Greens: For a lighter option, serve the shredded chicken on a bed of fresh spinach or mixed greens. The sweetness of the chicken pairs beautifully with the crispness of the salad, and a light drizzle of vinaigrette adds just the right amount of tang to balance it all out.

3. In Soft Taco Shells: Feeling adventurous? Use the sweet Hawaiian chicken as a filling for soft tortillas, then load them up with your favorite toppings—think crunchy slaw, a squeeze of lime, and a sprinkle of cilantro. It’s like a tropical taco party in every bite!

Whatever way you serve it, this dish is bound to become a weeknight favorite or the star of your next family gathering!

How to Store Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

If you happen to have any leftovers (lucky you!), storing Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken is super easy and ensures that you’ll get to enjoy those tropical flavors again. First, let the chicken cool down to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. This helps keep it fresh without trapping too much moisture, which could make it soggy later on.

For storing in the fridge, it’ll stay good for about 3 to 4 days. Just make sure to store the sauce separately if you can, so it doesn’t cause the chicken to become too mushy. When reheating, give it a quick stir to redistribute the sauce, and you can even pop it back in the crockpot on low for a bit to warm it through and get that delicious sauce all over again.

If you’ve got a bit more time and want to save it for later, you can freeze the chicken for up to 3 months. Portion it out into freezer-safe bags or containers, and make sure to squeeze out any excess air. When you’re ready to dig in, just let it thaw in the fridge overnight, and then reheat it either on the stovetop or in the microwave. It’s just like a quick getaway back to that sweet, savory paradise!

Conclusion

And there you have it—Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken, a simple yet flavorful dish that’s sure to become a favorite in your kitchen! It’s the kind of recipe that makes you look forward to dinnertime, with its tender chicken, tropical sweetness, and a touch of savory goodness. Plus, it’s so versatile—you can tweak it to your tastes and get creative with the ingredients. Whether you’re serving it over rice, tossing it in tacos, or enjoying it on a crisp salad, this dish never fails to impress.

I’d love to hear how you make this recipe your own! If you try it, drop a comment or let me know how it turned out. Or, if you have any questions or need a little guidance along the way, I’m here for you. Cooking should be fun, and I hope this dish brings a little more joy to your kitchen—one delicious bite at a time!

Print Recipe

Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

Author: Daniel Carter Courses: Dinner

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 4 hrs Rest Time 10 mins Total Time 4 hrs 20 mins

Calories: 350

Description

Tender chicken slow-cooked in a sweet and tangy Hawaiian-inspired sauce with pineapple, soy sauce, and a hint of garlic. This tropical dish is the perfect balance of savory and sweet, making every bite a comforting, flavorful escape.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 1 cup pineapple juice

• ¹⁄₂ cup brown sugar

• ¹⁄₄ cup soy sauce

• ¹⁄₄ cup apple cider vinegar

• 1 tablespoon ketchup

• 1 tablespoon grated ginger

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon garlic powder

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon onion powder

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon red pepper flakes

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

1. Place the 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts into the crockpot.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the 1 cup pineapple juice, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon ketchup. Stir the mixture until the brown sugar is fully dissolved.
3. Add 1 tablespoon grated ginger, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes to the bowl. Mix everything together until evenly combined.
4. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken breasts in the crockpot.
5. Cover the crockpot with the lid and set the temperature to low.
6. Cook the chicken on low for 4 to 6 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked and easily shreds with a fork.
7. Once the chicken is done cooking, remove the chicken breasts from the crockpot and set them aside on a plate.
8. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water until smooth.
9. Pour the remaining sauce from the crockpot into the small bowl with the cornstarch mixture. Stir well to combine.
10. Pour the cornstarch-sauce mixture back into the crockpot, and stir to incorporate.
11. Turn the crockpot to high and cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
12. Shred the cooked chicken using two forks and return it to the crockpot.
13. Stir the shredded chicken into the thickened sauce until fully coated.
14. Serve the sweet Hawaiian crockpot chicken over rice or alongside your favorite sides.

Note

• Make sure the chicken is evenly coated with the sauce to enhance flavor absorption.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, add a bit more cornstarch mixed with water.
• For a sweeter flavor, you can increase the brown sugar slightly.
• The red pepper flakes add a subtle heat; adjust to taste for a milder or spicier dish.
• Serve with a side of steamed vegetables to balance the sweetness of the chicken.

Keywords: Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken recipe, easy crockpot chicken dinner, Hawaiian chicken slow cooker, crockpot chicken with pineapple, slow cooker tropical chicken