Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe with Pineapple
Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken is a family favorite that’s better than takeout and ready in just 4 hours. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to tender, juicy chicken every time. The sweet and tangy pineapple sauce is irresistible. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips, including how to prevent dry chicken. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Classic Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Pecan Topping and Easy Honey Mustard BLT Chicken Sliders Recipe.
Why This Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe with Pineapple Is Pure Comfort
- Tender, juicy chicken every time
- Sweet and tangy pineapple sauce
- Ready in just 4 hours
- Better than takeout
What You'll Need for Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe with Pineapple
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 can pineapple chunks
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, optional
- Optional: Green onions, chopped
- Optional: Sesame seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: Can be substituted with thighs
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Crockpot — Cooks chicken to perfection while you're away → See on Amazon
- Meat thermometer — Ensures chicken is cooked to a safe temperature → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe with Pineapple
- Step 1: Place chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix together pineapple chunks (with juice), soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic, and ginger. Pour over chicken.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Step 4: Shred chicken and stir to combine with sauce. Serve over rice or noodles and top with green onions and sesame seeds.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe with Pineapple
- Common mistake and fix: The #1 reason this recipe fails is overcooking the chicken. To prevent this, use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Pro tip: For extra flavor, brown the chicken in a pan before adding it to the slow cooker.
- Pro tip: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Storing & Reheating Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe with Pineapple
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Can be made ahead and reheated.
Freezing Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe with Pineapple
Freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts for even more tender results.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and chicken the night before and refrigerate. Cook in the morning and let it slow cook all day.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir in. If the chicken is dry, add a little water or chicken broth and cook for an additional 15-30 minutes.
Want to level up this recipe?
Sharp kitchen knife — Makes prep work a breeze and ensures even cooking → Check price on Amazon
Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe with Pineapple
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 can pineapple chunks
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground ginger
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, optional
Optional Toppings
- Green onions, chopped
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Place chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix together pineapple chunks (with juice), soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic, and ginger. Pour over chicken.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Step 4: Shred chicken and stir to combine with sauce. Serve over rice or noodles and top with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts for even more tender results.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and chicken the night before and refrigerate. Cook in the morning and let it slow cook all day.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir in. If the chicken is dry, add a little water or chicken broth and cook for an additional 15-30 minutes.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: Can be made ahead and reheated.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 95mg
- Sat. Fat: 1.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe with Pineapple FAQs
Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time and reheat it when ready to serve. It also freezes well.
The most common reason for dry chicken is overcooking. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) but not much more.
Yes, you can make this recipe in the Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for 10-12 minutes, followed by a 10-minute natural release.
This recipe pairs well with rice, noodles, or even a side of steamed vegetables.
This recipe is gluten-free as written. However, always check your specific ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe with Pineapple and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
