Tangy Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Recipe

Juicy Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Recipe for Family Joy

Succulent chicken takes on a tropical twist with this sweet hawaiian crockpot chicken that promises pure comfort and flavor.

Tender pieces of meat mingle with a vibrant, tangy sauce that dances across your taste buds.

The combination of pineapple, soy sauce, and brown sugar creates a mouthwatering harmony of sweet and savory notes.

Each bite transports you to a sunny island paradise without leaving your kitchen.

This effortless dish comes together with minimal prep and maximum deliciousness.

Slow cooking ensures the chicken remains incredibly juicy and infused with rich, exotic flavors.

Serve this crowd-pleasing meal over steamed rice for a dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)

Total Time: 6-7 hours (or 3-4 hours on high)

Calories: 390 kcal

Servings: 5

Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Ingredient Rundown

For Base Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts: Succulent and lean protein that absorbs the sweet Hawaiian flavors beautifully, best when fresh and trimmed of excess fat.
For Sauce And Flavor Enhancers:
  • Pineapple Juice: Brings tropical sweetness and helps tenderize the chicken, choose 100% pure juice for authentic flavor.
  • Soy Sauce: Adds depth and umami, opt for low-sodium version to control salt levels.
  • Brown Sugar: Creates caramelized richness and balances the tangy pineapple, select dark brown sugar for deeper flavor.
  • Garlic: Provides aromatic warmth, fresh minced garlic offers more intense taste than pre-jarred versions.
  • Ginger: Introduces zesty brightness, fresh grated ginger delivers more vibrant notes compared to dried.
For Sauce Thickening And Garnish:
  • Cornstarch: Helps create silky sauce consistency, mix with cold water to prevent lumps.
  • Green Onions: Adds fresh, sharp finish to the dish, choose bright green and crisp stalks.
  • Sesame Seeds: Provides nutty crunch and visual appeal, toasting enhances their flavor.
  • Pineapple Chunks: Adds juicy bursts of sweetness, canned chunks work perfectly for convenience.

What You’ll Need For Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

  • Crockpot: Essential slow cooker for hands-off, tender chicken cooking.
  • Medium bowl: Perfect for whisking sauce ingredients smoothly.
  • Whisk: Crucial for blending sauce components without lumps.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Helps accurately measure sauce ingredients.
  • Cutting board: Needed for preparing garnishes like green onions.
  • Sharp knife: Used for chopping green onions and prepping ingredients.
  • Cornstarch: Optional thickening agent for sauce consistency.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Useful for stirring and mixing ingredients.

How To Make Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

  • Sauce Creation

Blend a tropical medley of sweet and savory flavors by mixing pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and a hint of ginger in a bowl. Whisk until smooth and aromatic.

  • Crockpot Assembly

Nestle chicken breasts into the slow cooker, creating a cozy base. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, ensuring every inch gets a flavor bath. Sprinkle pineapple chunks on top for bursts of sunshine.

  • Slow Magic

Let the crockpot work its wonder, transforming ingredients into a tender, mouthwatering meal. Cook on low for several hours until chicken becomes fork-tender and easily pulls apart.

  • Sauce Transformation

For those craving a luxuriously thick sauce, remove chicken temporarily. Stir in a cornstarch mixture to give the sauce a rich, velvety consistency that clings to every morsel.

  • Delicious Presentation

Arrange the succulent chicken over a bed of fluffy rice or noodles. Scatter green onions and sesame seeds for a final touch of elegance and crunch. Enjoy your Hawaiian-inspired feast!

Tips For Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Lovers

  • Slow Cooker Magic: Learn insider tips to elevate your Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken game and make it absolutely delicious every single time!
  • Chicken Tenderness Trick: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts of similar size to ensure even cooking and prevent dry meat. Thicker pieces might need slightly longer cooking time.
  • Sauce Depth Booster: For an extra flavor punch, briefly sear chicken breasts in a hot skillet before placing them in the crockpot. This quick step creates a beautiful golden crust and locks in more savory notes.
  • Dietary Flexibility: Transform this recipe into gluten-free by using tamari instead of traditional soy sauce. For low-carb lovers, serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of regular rice.
  • Spice Level Adventure: Want more kick? Add red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha sauce to the liquid mixture. This will introduce a delightful heat that complements the sweet pineapple perfectly, creating a balanced flavor profile that'll make taste buds dance.

How To Serve Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Easily

  • Tropical Dinner Plate: Spread the tender, shredded chicken over a bed of fluffy white rice, allowing the sweet and savory sauce to drench each grain for maximum flavor absorption.
  • Island-Style Bowl: Create a complete meal by layering the chicken over brown rice, topping with fresh pineapple chunks, and sprinkling chopped cilantro for a vibrant, colorful presentation.
  • Quick Weeknight Wrap: Transform the chicken into delicious Hawaiian-inspired wraps by stuffing warm tortillas with the juicy meat, adding crisp lettuce, and drizzling extra sauce for added zest.
  • Party Slider Sensation: Shred the chicken and pile onto mini slider buns, garnishing with a slice of grilled pineapple and a sprinkle of green onions for an appetizer that'll wow guests at any gathering.

Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Storage Help

  • Meal Prep Magic: Slice chicken breasts ahead of time and freeze in sauce-filled bags for quick future meals.
  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days, ensuring chicken remains moist and flavorful.
  • Freezing Friendly Option: Freeze cooked chicken in portion-sized containers for convenient weeknight dinners, lasting up to 3 months.
  • Reheating Wisdom: Warm refrigerated chicken gently in microwave or skillet with a splash of extra pineapple juice to maintain tenderness and prevent dryness.
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Tangy Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Recipe

Tangy Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken Recipe


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4.8 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 6-7 hours (or 3-4 hours on high)
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Sweet Hawaiian crockpot chicken brings tropical flavors to your dinner table with minimal effort. Succulent chicken pieces swimming in a tangy-sweet sauce will delight families seeking quick and delicious meal solutions.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (900 g) chicken breasts or thighs, boneless, skinless
  • 1 can (20 oz / 565 g) pineapple chunks, drained (reserve juice)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) brown sugar
  • ½ cup (120 ml) soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ginger, minced (optional)
  • ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsps water (optional, for thickening)
  • Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
  • Sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Sauce Preparation: Whisk pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger in a mixing bowl until smooth and fully blended.
  2. Chicken Layering: Place chicken breasts evenly across the crockpot base, creating a uniform foundation for flavor absorption.
  3. Flavor Infusion: Pour prepared sauce over chicken, coating each piece thoroughly, then distribute pineapple chunks across the surface to enhance tropical essence.
  4. Slow Cooking Process: Cover crockpot and cook on low setting for 6-7 hours or high setting for 3-4 hours, allowing chicken to become tender and deeply seasoned.
  5. Sauce Enhancement: Remove chicken momentarily, introduce cornstarch slurry to sauce, stirring vigorously to create a glossy, thickened consistency.
  6. Sauce Reduction: Elevate sauce on high heat for 10-15 minutes, concentrating flavors and developing a rich, luxurious texture.
  7. Final Assembly: Return chicken to the enhanced sauce, ensuring complete coverage and harmonious flavor integration.
  8. Serving Presentation: Plate chicken over steamed rice or noodles, garnishing with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal.

Notes

  • Maximize Chicken Tenderness: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts and slice them slightly thicker to prevent drying out during slow cooking, ensuring juicy and moist meat.
  • Enhance Sauce Depth: Caramelize brown sugar briefly in a pan before adding to the sauce to unlock deeper, richer flavor notes and create more complex taste profile.
  • Customize Dietary Needs: Swap soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free options, and use low-sodium alternatives to control salt intake without compromising taste.
  • Perfect Sauce Consistency: If sauce remains thin after cooking, create cornstarch slurry with cold water to prevent lumps, and gradually whisk into hot liquid for smooth, glossy finish.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 390
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 680 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 55 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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