Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken

2 2 minutes read

Tender chicken, juicy pineapple, and vibrant island flavors come together in this family-friendly dish that’s as easy to make as it is delicious! Let your slow cooker do the work while you enjoy a sweet and savory tropical-inspired dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

This Hawaiian chicken is a set-it-and-forget-it weeknight winner! It takes just 10 minutes to prep, then simmers to perfection in your Crock Pot. With bold BBQ flavor, sweet pineapple, and a touch of heat, it’s versatile and crowd-pleasing. Serve it over white rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, noodles, or even tuck it into slider buns!

Ingredients

BBQ sauce – Use your favorite brand or a homemade version
Soy sauce – Regular or low sodium
Brown sugar – Light or dark, either works
Pineapple – Fresh or canned chunks
Spices & seasonings – Red pepper flakes, ground ginger, salt, black pepper, minced garlic
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs – Breasts are a good alternative
Vegetables – Sliced onions, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, chopped green onions
Cornstarch – For thickening the sauce

Instructions

Step 1: Mix the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice (from your fresh or canned pineapple), red pepper flakes, and ginger. Set aside.

Step 2: Combine in Crock Pot
Add the chicken, bell peppers, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper to your slow cooker. Pour the prepared sauce over the top. Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.

Step 3: Thicken the Sauce
In the final hour of cooking, mix a slurry using cornstarch and water. Stir it into the slow cooker to thicken the sauce. Also add the pineapple chunks during this stage to maintain their texture.

Step 4: Broil for Color (Optional)
For extra flavor and presentation, transfer the cooked chicken thighs to a foil-lined baking sheet and broil for a few minutes until lightly browned. Return to the slow cooker to keep warm until serving.

Recipe Tips

Add pineapple later to prevent it from getting mushy—toss it in during the last hour of cooking.
Don’t skip the cornstarch slurry—it brings the sauce to the perfect consistency.
Taste before serving and adjust sweetness or salt based on your BBQ sauce and soy sauce.
Swap in chicken breasts or pork tenderloin if preferred—just keep an eye on the cooking time.
Add extra veggies like carrots, snap peas, or zucchini for more color and nutrition.
Serve creatively—this chicken makes great rice bowls or tropical sliders!