Tropical Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Recipe for Dreamy Meals

Discovering a magical sweet hawaiian crockpot chicken recipe can turn an ordinary dinner into something extraordinary.

Tropical flavors dance through this simple meal, creating instant excitement in your kitchen.

Tender chicken pieces soak up delicious island-inspired marinades that promise incredible depth.

Weekend meal planning becomes effortless with this straightforward approach to dinner.

Minimal ingredients combine to produce maximum satisfaction for everyone around the table.

Comfort meets adventure in this delectable dish that transports you directly to pacific coastlines.

Cooking just got easier and more delightful with this crowd-pleasing recipe that will make you the ultimate home chef.

Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken on Repeat

• Toss ingredients into the crockpot and walk away, making this recipe perfect for busy individuals who want delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Minimal preparation time and hands-off cooking method mean you can enjoy a flavorful Hawaiian-inspired dish with just 5-10 minutes of initial setup.
• Sweet and tangy sauce combined with tender chicken creates a crowd-pleasing meal that appeals to both kids and adults, making dinnertime a hassle-free experience.
• Easily adaptable to serve over rice, noodles, or even as a filling for tacos, providing flexibility for different meal preferences and dietary needs.

Everything You Need for Hawaiian Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that becomes tender and easily shreddable after slow cooking. Choose boneless, skinless for best results.

• Pineapple Juice, Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar: Creates a sweet and savory Hawaiian-style sauce. Use reserved juice from canned pineapples for authentic flavor.
• Garlic, Ginger: Adds depth and aromatic flavor to the sauce. Fresh is best, but dried works in a pinch.

• Cornstarch: Helps create a rich, glossy sauce texture. Ensures sauce clings perfectly to chicken.

• Pineapple Chunks: Adds tropical sweetness and tender fruit element. Canned pineapple works well.
• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Optional garnish for extra flavor and visual appeal. Provides fresh crunch and nutty undertone.

• Rice, Noodles: Ideal base for absorbing the flavorful sauce. White rice or egg noodles recommended.

How to Make Sweet Hawaiian Chicken in the Crockpot

Step 1: Whisk Flavor-Packed Sauce

• Pineapple juice
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Garlic
• Ginger

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl, whisking until smooth and well blended.

Step 2: Layer Chicken and Sauce

Place chicken breasts in the bottom of crockpot. Pour sauce mixture evenly over chicken, ensuring complete coverage. Sprinkle pineapple chunks across the top.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover crockpot and cook on low setting for 6-7 hours or high setting for 3-4 hours. Chicken should become tender and easily shred when touched with a fork.

Step 4: Create Silky Sauce (Optional)

Remove chicken from crockpot and set aside. Mix cornstarch with small amount of cold water to create slurry. Stir into remaining liquid and cook on high for 10-15 minutes until sauce thickens.

Step 5: Plate and Garnish

Return chicken to crockpot, stirring to coat with sauce. Serve over steamed rice or noodles. Sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top for extra flavor and visual appeal.

Tips to Nail the Sweet-Savory Balance

• Prevent Dry Chicken: Use chicken breasts with some fat content or mix breast and thigh meat to ensure juicy, tender results every time.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Add a splash of rice vinegar or a dash of sriracha to the sauce for an extra layer of tangy complexity.
• Customize Sauce Consistency: Adjust cornstarch amount carefully- start with 1 tablespoon and gradually increase to reach your desired sauce thickness without making it too gloopy.
• Make It Gluten-Free: Swap regular soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos to create a celiac-friendly version without losing authentic Hawaiian flavor profile.
• Meal Prep Hack: This dish freezes beautifully- store in airtight containers for up to 3 months, making weeknight dinners super convenient and stress-free.

Save and Reheat Crockpot Chicken

• Store leftover sweet Hawaiian chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Carefully transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warm.
• Gently warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of reserved pineapple juice or water to maintain moisture and prevent sticking.

Best Pairings for Hawaiian Chicken Dishes

• Serve with fragrant jasmine or coconut rice to enhance the sweet and tangy Hawaiian flavors, creating a complete island-inspired meal that absorbs the delicious sauce.
• Select a slightly sweet Riesling or Gewürztraminer that complements the dish's pineapple and brown sugar notes, balancing the savory chicken with its light, fruity undertones.
• Add a bright, crisp Asian-inspired slaw with red cabbage, carrots, and a light rice vinegar dressing to provide textural contrast and cut through the richness of the chicken.
• Pour a cold glass of passion fruit iced tea or a light Hawaiian-style beer to refresh the palate and echo the tropical essence of the dish.

Hawaiian Chicken Recipe Variations You’ll Love

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Use gluten-free cornstarch for thickening the sauce, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Spicy Tropical Kick: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the sauce for extra heat. Incorporate chili garlic sauce to boost the spice level while maintaining the sweet Hawaiian profile.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap rice with cauliflower rice or serve over zucchini noodles. Reduce brown sugar or use a sugar substitute like stevia to decrease carbohydrate content.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or jackfruit. Press and cube tofu, then marinate in the sauce before slow cooking to absorb maximum flavor.

Crockpot Chicken FAQs for Quick Help

• What makes this recipe so simple to prepare?

The crockpot does most of the work, requiring minimal prep time. Just mix the sauce ingredients, place chicken in the pot, and let it slow cook until tender and flavorful.

• Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. Just add 1-2 hours to the cooking time to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce. Double-check that all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

• How spicy is this chicken dish?

This recipe is not spicy at all. It’s a sweet and savory dish with a mild flavor profile from the pineapple juice, brown sugar, and soy sauce. If you want heat, you can add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce.

Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Savor Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken’s tropical fusion of tangy pineapple and tender meat, creating a family-friendly meal that travels straight from the islands to your dinner table. Minimal preparation meets maximum flavor, delivering a simple yet delicious dinner that delights palates with its effortless island-inspired charm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 lbs (900 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Fruits and Sauce Base:

• 1 can (20 oz / 565 g) pineapple chunks, drained (reserve juice)
• ½ cup (120 ml) soy sauce
• ½ cup (120 ml) brown sugar

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)

Thickening Agent:

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)

Garnish:

• Green onions, chopped
• Sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Create a luscious sauce by blending pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a mixing vessel, whisking until ingredients harmonize smoothly.
2. Nestle chicken breasts into the crockpot’s base, ensuring an even layer that allows uniform cooking and flavor absorption.
3. Cascade the prepared sauce over the chicken, meticulously coating each piece to guarantee maximum flavor penetration.
4. Scatter pineapple chunks across the top, allowing them to nestle between and around the chicken for distributed sweetness.
5. Secure the crockpot lid and allow the dish to simmer on low temperature for 6-7 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours, monitoring until chicken transforms into tender, effortlessly shreddable morsels.
6. For those desiring a more robust sauce consistency, temporarily transfer chicken to a separate plate, then introduce a cornstarch slurry into the remaining liquid.
7. Elevate the crockpot’s temperature setting to high, stirring occasionally and allowing sauce to thicken for approximately 10-15 minutes.
8. Reunite the chicken with the enriched sauce, gently mixing to ensure complete coating.
9. Present the succulent Hawaiian chicken atop a bed of steamed rice or tender noodles, garnishing with delicate green onion slivers and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal.

Notes

• Customize sauce sweetness by adjusting brown sugar levels for personal taste preferences.
• Swap chicken breasts with thighs for more tender and juicy meat that absorbs flavors better.
• Reduce sodium content by using low-sodium soy sauce and controlling added salt in the recipe.
• Enhance protein options by substituting chicken with tofu or plant-based alternatives for vegetarian diets.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6-7 hours (or 3-4 hours on high)
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 366
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 815 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg