Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe with Pineapple
Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe with Pineapple is a family favorite that’s better than takeout. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to tender, juicy chicken every time. The sweet and tangy pineapple sauce will make your kitchen smell cozy and inviting. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Chocolate Rolls with Creamy Vanilla Filling Recipe and Easy Crab Rangoon Pinwheels with Puff Pastry.
Why This Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe with Pineapple Is Pure Comfort
- Tender, juicy chicken
- Sweet and tangy pineapple sauce
- Easy, set-it-and-forget-it cooking
- Better than takeout taste
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 (20 oz) pineapple chunks
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Green onions for garnish
- Optional: Sesame seeds
- Optional: Chopped cashews or macadamia nuts
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Pineapple chunks: Reserve the juice for the sauce.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Crockpot — Cooks food evenly and tenderizes meat → 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 crockpot.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic, ginger, and reserved pineapple juice.
- Step 3: Pour sauce over chicken. Top with pineapple chunks.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Step 5: Shred chicken and serve over rice or noodles. Garnish with green onions and optional toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe with Pineapple
- : For extra flavor, sear the chicken breasts before adding them to the crockpot.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken. It can become dry. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F.
- : For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir it into the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- : To make this recipe in the Instant Pot, cook on high pressure for 15 minutes with a 10-minute natural release.
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 for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: You can make this recipe ahead of time and reheat it when ready to serve.
Freezing Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe with Pineapple
Freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier dish, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken with pork tenderloin or beef stew meat.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and chicken the night before. Store in the fridge separately. In the morning, pour the sauce over the chicken and cook as directed.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir it into the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Want to level up this recipe?
Sharp kitchen knife — Makes prep work faster and safer → Check price on Amazon
Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe with Pineapple
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp ground ginger
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Green onions for garnish
Optional Toppings
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped cashews or macadamia nuts
Instructions
- Step 1: Place chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart crockpot.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic, ginger, and reserved pineapple juice.
- Step 3: Pour sauce over chicken. Top with pineapple chunks.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Step 5: Shred chicken and serve over rice or noodles. Garnish with green onions and optional toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier dish, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the chicken with pork tenderloin or beef stew meat.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and chicken the night before. Store in the fridge separately. In the morning, pour the sauce over the chicken and cook as directed.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir it into the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: You can make this recipe ahead of time and reheat it when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 32g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 22g
- 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. See the storage section for details.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry chicken. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F but not much more.
Yes, you can make this recipe in the Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes with a 10-minute natural release.
This recipe goes well with rice, noodles, or even mashed potatoes. You can also serve it on top of a salad or in a wrap.
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe. It may take a little longer to cook, so check the internal temperature to ensure it reaches 165°F.
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!
