Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken is the kind of hands-off dinner that turns an ordinary day into an island-inspired feast. Juicy chicken pieces simmering in a tangy pineapple sauce fill the whole house with pretty much the most tempting aroma ever. I make this on busy school nights and everyone at the table goes quiet when they taste the sweet glaze and tender bites.

I whipped this up the first time when a neighbor dropped by a pineapple. Now anytime I need a fuss-free dish that will win every time this is what I make.

Gather Your Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs: these give you ultra-juicy texture and soak up flavors well choose fresh chicken with a pink color and no odor
• Pineapple juice: brings that signature tropical sweetness opt for 100 percent juice for the most natural flavor
• Soy sauce: adds a deep savory contrast and keeps the dish from being too sweet try to use reduced-sodium for a lighter touch
• Brown sugar: deepens the caramel-like sweetness and makes the sauce glossy choose soft fresh brown sugar with no hard clumps
• Ketchup: gives richness and heirloom tomato tang look for brands with minimal additives for a clean taste
• Garlic cloves: provide a mellow savory note fresh garlic is ideal for bold taste and aroma
• Cornstarch: thickens the sauce to a restaurant-style glaze optional but totally worth it
• Water: blends with cornstarch to avoid lumps use cool water so the slurry dissolves easily

How to Make It

Prepare the Sauce:

Whisk together pineapple juice soy sauce brown sugar ketchup and garlic in a mixing bowl until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture looks smooth and unified this will smell fragrant right away

Add to Slow Cooker:

Lay your chicken pieces evenly in the crockpot pour the prepared sauce mixture right over the top making sure the chicken is nestled into the liquid for even cooking

Cook:

Put the lid on set your slow cooker on low for six to seven hours or high for about three to four hours go for low if you have the time since slow gentle cooking gives the most tender chicken check for doneness by making sure the chicken is fork-tender and has reached a safe internal temperature

Thicken the Sauce (Optional):

If you like a glossy sticky sauce lift out the chicken mix together cornstarch and water in a small bowl then stir it into the slow cooker turn the heat to high and let the sauce bubble for about ten to fifteen minutes until it thickens then return the chicken and toss to coat

Serve:

Spoon the sticky sweet chicken and plenty of extra sauce over cooked rice garnish with pineapple chunks and fresh green onion slices for color and crunch

Pineapple juice is my magic ingredient here nothing else delivers that punch of sweet and tang together So many birthday dinners in our family have started with the scent of this wafting from the kitchen while we hang out and tell stories

Flavor Boosters

Let leftovers cool completely before storing pop into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days This chicken reheats beautifully in the microwave or over gentle heat in a skillet If you want those flavors to deepen even more let it marinate overnight in the fridge before reheating

Serving Suggestions

Spoon this chicken over a bed of steamed jasmine or coconut rice Pair with roasted broccoli or sugar snap peas for a fresh crunch You can also shred the chicken and tuck it into soft rolls for an irresistible sandwich with extra sauce for dipping

Creative Twists

Try swapping the chicken for boneless pork loin or even tofu for a meatless version Mango juice or orange juice can work in place of pineapple juice in a pinch For a gluten-free take use coconut aminos or tamari instead of soy sauce

If you try this once you will want to make it again and again. Serve it up for family dinner or potlucks and watch how quickly it disappears.

Common Questions About This Recipe

→ Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, both chicken breasts and thighs work well. Thighs offer a richer, juicier texture in the final dish.

→ How do I thicken the sauce?

Mix cornstarch with water and stir into the slow cooker during the last 10–15 minutes to thicken the sauce.

→ What sides pair well with this meal?

Serve the chicken over rice and top with pineapple chunks or green onions. Steamed vegetables also complement it well.

→ Can I make it spicier?

Add sriracha or chili flakes during cooking for extra heat and a spicy kick to the sauce.

→ Can I add extra vegetables?

Chopped bell peppers or onions can be added during the last hour of cooking for more flavor and texture.