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Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken is an easy and delicious tropical-inspired dinner recipe featuring tender chicken simmered with juicy pineapple and a flavorful sweet and savory sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping, this dish delivers a breezy island vibe with minimal effort and maximal taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs or breasts

Produce

  • 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Sauce

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup or tomato paste

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Peel and mince fresh garlic and ginger. Chop the red bell pepper into bite-sized pieces and drain pineapple chunks if using canned. Having all ingredients prepped will help with smooth assembly.
  2. Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, minced garlic, and ginger until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is smooth and well combined.
  3. Layer Ingredients in Crockpot: Place the chicken thighs or breasts at the bottom of the crockpot. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken. Add pineapple chunks and chopped red bell pepper on top, creating layers that will meld flavors during cooking.
  4. Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, allowing the chicken to soak up the sweet and savory flavors while becoming tender and juicy.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Once cooked through, sprinkle chopped green onions over the dish for freshness. Serve over steamed jasmine rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps according to preference.

Notes

  • For juicier meat, use bone-in chicken thighs; note that cooking time might be slightly longer.
  • Fresh garlic and ginger are essential to elevate the authentic tropical flavor profile.
  • Browning the chicken before slow cooking is optional but adds extra depth of flavor.
  • Adjust the sweetness by tasting the sauce prior to cooking and modifying brown sugar quantity as desired.
  • Allow the chicken to rest in the sauce for 10 minutes after cooking to maximize flavor absorption.

Nutrition

Keywords: Hawaiian chicken, crockpot chicken recipe, slow cooker dinner, tropical chicken dish, sweet and savory chicken, pineapple chicken, easy weeknight dinner, gluten free crockpot meals