I know you love easy weeknight meals, and what’s better than your slow cooker doing all the hard work? Today, I’m sharing two fantastic recipes for Hawaiian chicken that are perfect for a simple and flavorful dinner. Both of these slow cooker chicken dishes bring bright, sweet, and tangy tastes right to your table with minimal effort.
Whether you’re looking for a quick prep meal or something that cooks all day while you’re busy, these Hawaiian chicken recipes have you covered. Let’s make dinner simple and delicious!
Jump to Recipe:
Easy Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Recipe for Dinner
This recipe brings together tender chicken with the bright flavors of pineapple and a tangy-sweet sauce. It’s perfect for a weeknight when you need something simple yet satisfying.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Chicken Thighs: I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs because they stay juicy and tender even after long cooking times in the slow cooker.
- Pineapple Chunks: Canned pineapple chunks work great here. Drain most of the juice, but keep a tiny bit to add to the sauce for extra pineapple taste.
What You Need
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks, drained (reserve 2 tbsp juice)
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 2 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)
⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes⏱️ Cook Time: 4 hours (high) / 8 hours (low)🍽️ Yields: 6 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Prep Ingredients
Trim any extra fat from your chicken thighs. If they are very large, you can cut them into smaller pieces. Chop your bell pepper and onion into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: Combine Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and the reserved pineapple juice until the sugar dissolves.
Step 3: Load Slow Cooker
Place the chicken thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the drained pineapple chunks, chopped bell pepper, and onion around and on top of the chicken. Pour the sauce evenly over everything.
Step 4: Cook Until Tender
Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours, until the chicken is very tender and easily shredded with a fork.
Step 5: Thicken and Serve
If you want a thicker sauce, remove the chicken to a plate. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the liquid in the slow cooker and cook on high for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce thickens. Shred the chicken and return it to the sauce. Serve hot.
📝 Final Note
This Hawaiian chicken is fantastic served over steamed white rice, with a side of green beans or broccoli. It also makes great chicken sliders!
Easy Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken for a Simple Meal
Here’s another wonderful slow cooker Hawaiian chicken recipe with a slightly different sweet and tangy sauce profile. It’s incredibly easy to put together and always a hit with the family.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Crushed Pineapple: Using crushed pineapple helps distribute the fruit flavor more evenly throughout the sauce. Make sure to drain it well.
- Chicken Breasts or Thighs: You can use either here. If using chicken breasts, cooking on low heat helps prevent them from becoming dry.
What You Need
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple, well-drained
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (optional, for tang)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced (optional)
⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes⏱️ Cook Time: 3-4 hours (high) / 6-7 hours (low)🍽️ Yields: 5-6 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Prep Chicken and Sauce Base
Place your chicken pieces (whole or cut) into the bottom of your crockpot. In a separate bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and apple cider vinegar (if using).
Step 2: Add Pineapple and Peppers
Add the well-drained crushed pineapple and sliced green bell pepper (if using) into the slow cooker. Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken and other ingredients.
Step 3: Cook Until Tender
Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-7 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and easily falls apart.
Step 4: Shred and Serve
Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Stir to mix the shredded chicken with the sauce. Serve this sweet Hawaiian chicken hot.
📝 Final Note
This chicken is wonderful on its own, with rice, or in lettuce wraps. Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.