Description
This Irresistible Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken is a flavorful and easy 1-pot dinner perfect for busy days. Tender chicken simmers in a delicious pineapple-based sauce infused with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and brown sugar, creating a sweet and savory tropical dish. Paired with vibrant peppers and onions, this slow cooker recipe is a delightful Hawaiian-American main course that can be served over rice for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
Sauce
- 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks with juice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
Thickening and Garnish
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Place the chicken thighs or breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker, ensuring they are spread evenly.
- Make the Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the pineapple chunks with their juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, and grated ginger until the ingredients are well combined and the sugar starts to dissolve.
- Add Sauce and Vegetables: Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker. Then, add the sliced onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper on top, distributing them evenly.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on low heat for 6 to 7 hours, or alternatively on high heat for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is completely tender and cooked through.
- Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker. Use two forks to shred the chicken, or leave it whole if preferred, then return it to the slow cooker and stir well so the chicken is coated with the sauce.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, blend the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir this mixture into the slow cooker, then set the cooker to high and continue cooking for 15 to 20 minutes until the sauce has thickened to your liking.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the Hawaiian chicken warm over steamed rice. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired for an added pop of flavor and texture.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken in the sauce mixture for a few hours before cooking.
- Add carrots or snap peas along with the bell peppers to boost the vegetable content.
- If you prefer a less sweet dish, reduce the amount of brown sugar slightly.
- Using chicken thighs will result in juicier meat, but breasts can be used for a leaner option.
- Serve over jasmine or basmati rice for a fragrant accompaniment.
