Description
Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken is a tender, flavorful dish where juicy chicken thighs are slow-cooked in a deliciously sweet and tangy pineapple-soy sauce. This easy crockpot recipe infuses the chicken with tropical pineapple juice, brown sugar, and a hint of garlic and red pepper flakes for a lightly spicy finish, making it perfect for a hassle-free family meal or entertaining guests. Serve it over rice or noodles to soak up the thickened sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
Sauce
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Thickening Mixture
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and pat them dry. If you prefer, chicken breasts can be used but should be cut into large chunks for even cooking.
- Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, and minced garlic until everything is fully combined, creating a sweet and savory sauce base.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Place the chicken in the crockpot and pour the sauce over it, gently stirring to ensure the chicken pieces are well coated in the flavorful mixture.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
- Prepare the Thickening Slurry: Once the chicken is done, remove it from the crockpot. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry that will thicken the cooking sauce.
- Thicken the Sauce: Turn the crockpot to HIGH and stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce. Let it cook for 10 to 15 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Combine and Serve: Return the chicken to the crockpot, stirring to coat it thoroughly with the thickened sauce. Your dish is now ready to serve.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve the Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken over rice, noodles, or inside sandwich rolls. Garnish optionally with sliced green onions or sesame seeds for added flavor and visual appeal.
Notes
- For a spicier version, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- Chicken thighs are preferred for juiciness, but chicken breasts can also be used if desired.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
- Adding chopped pineapple chunks during cooking can enhance the tropical flavor.
- Feel free to adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar.
